Modern Home Addition Ideas

10 Modern Home Addition Ideas To Revamp Your House

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Now we’re right into that time span where the rents are jumping so much that it is imperative to handle repairs and improve our property. A substantial number of property owners are caught up among the poor option of selecting which improvement will best suit their houses. There is a major reason, that is to increase the value of your property without heavily affecting your personal financial situation.

When individuals are at loss, what they mostly do is to approach agencies to find help. Agents are specialists who have the ability to sort out repairs, and this role is often better performed by them at a faster pace in comparison to house owners themselves.

Whether you are doing an outright custom construction or looking at the exciting possibilities that home additions could offer, we have you covered as we bring you the best projects. Indeed, most suggestions we’ve mentioned will not only contribute to an overall modern character of your dwelling but also help you to increase its market value in the near future.

Home Addition Ideas

1) Natural Material Designs

Image Source: meadowlarkbuilders.com

Home design is greatly influenced recently by natural, green alternatives. Among several stylish materials to think about are bamboo, cork, terrasso, and wood made out of recycled materials. The best alternative to Birch plywood is Oak or Cherry known for greater durability. This trend has been extending to newly built houses as well. The recycled glass and metal are widely used in window fabrication.

2) Unique Shapes and Dimensions

Image Source: citygirlgonemom.com

These days, people hardly find a pleasure in the contemporary design of an enlarged living space with these regular and straight lines. Although without color, the natural color scheme is still current, they are using special shapes and measurements to bring life to a different rooms. Curved doorways and finely worked window shapes would help the dwellings of anyone apart.

3) Colorful Bathrooms

A lot of the homeowners do replace their neutrals in favor of more colors for the bathrooms. Earlier, a blend of tones was employed – gray and white from the living room to the bathroom. Gone are the days of standard boring bathrooms. This year, bathrooms that showcase a homeowner’s personal style are trending. Limestone, wood, green colors and live plants are a perfect fit that will bring spa design to the bathroom area. The accent walls, especially in a bright color help in achieving the modern look for today`s bathrooms.

4) Accessible Multiple Floors

Each floor space in a multi-story home makes additional square footage available to buyers, without them having to spend as much on land, which, in turn, helps the buyers contain expenditures. The more spacious master floor bedrooms with additional bedrooms could also be second floors make for a more privacy and space for family members. Equipping the elevators with multi-flór level is also very significant.

Image Source: gilday.com

Gone are the days of dark, cramped stairs that are difficult to ascend and descend. Today’s homeowners are choosing wider, spiral staircases that add to the home’s overall aesthetic. Some home designs are even opting for home elevators. Previously, a residential home elevator was considered a luxury that was only available if you had a ton of floor space. Today’s home elevators are designed more compact and functional than ever. You don’t need as much space to install them. Once installed, a residential elevator offers increased functionality and convenience for all ages.

5) Covered Outdoor Spaces

Image Source: gilday.com

On homefronts, covered outdoor spaces, are more becoming the case because people tend to spend more time at home now. Along with achieving the goal of more meeting space outdoors through their houses, homeowners also aim to create their perfect extension for their guests. The includes outdoor BBQs or kitchens as is worth giving a shot. The large sliding doors with floor-to-ceiling height windows contribute to emphasizing the interior experience of outdoor and yet the natural light is still let in from outside. In turn, the covered outdoor areas augment the availability of the homeowners to entertain even in the adverse weather.

6) Functional Work Spaces

More people are working and going to school from home, making functional offices or work spaces an important design element. Offices that are set apart from common areas in the home give workers quiet and privacy to work. Offices designed with enough windows offer natural light and comfort for long workdays. An office with ample built-in storage also makes it feel like a workspace rather than a bedroom converted.

7) Multiple Common Areas

What was the only area you would sometime share in the house then was the living room and the kitchen only. By designing the modern family homes with multiple possible usage units, families get the chance to set up their homes in a way that suits them best. having an extra family room lets a family change it into games room. The nursery or the closet can be well fitted to this room even as the families grow into larger at different stages in their lives. Today’s condo owners also prefer bright, lively common areas with a more unique sense of style.

8) Statement Lighting

Image Source: forbes.com

A key concern that is being taken seriously by home designers is whether they are using effective lighting. This type of lighting has been used for many years in many modern designs. LED lights are much more gentle in comparison to fluorescent lights. Added to these, you would remember the changes in the lighting from the living room to other rooms. Likewise, in a kitchen, there may be lights strongly lit, while the bedrooms make use of softer tones. Another popular choice are overly-sized chandeliers that assumedly have enough illuminating power (light) for the dining room. You might find that the illuminations of the lounges or main living room become an emphasizing or decorative element.

Home trends not only change, but revamp accordingly as the times change. Technological innovations keep this world changing. Follow the most current trends to know what to implement in your home designs. Your investment is quite worthwhile: not only will you have a functional and nice-looking house, but it will have an excellent resale value too.

9) Glass Walls

Image Source: contemporist.com

Glass walls are a great idea to use on home additions like the outdoor patio as it allows in natural light and increases the aesthetics of the space. Glass walls work well together with other additions such as plants, and they allow you to enjoy your landscaping better.

10) Modular Additions

Image Source: pleasantvalleymodularhomes.com

Modular homes are getting popular by the day because of their many advantages including how affordable they are. You can have a modular addition to keep your home from being a construction site. Modular homes further save on materials as they are factory manufactured.

Modular additions are great for detached home additions as it would be a bit hard to attach the modular home to an already existing house.

The trouble with modular additions is transportation. But once you can get them to your home, you will be set for a good upgrade.

Types of Home Additions

a) Sunroom

Image Source: homebytc.ca

A sunroom can create a place which feels almost outdoor in the sense that you have the option to get the benefits of the indoor room too. Example, you can practice observing how the rain looks outside without actually getting wet by the rain. A dedicated sunroom for addition serves as an alternative to a studio as well as an office space while providing more than a relaxation zone.

b) Basement Remodel

Image Source: realbasementideas.blogspot.com

basement remodel is a great way to put unused rooms in the house to good use. While a basement is a space that already exists in the home, it is a home addition if it was not used as a living space before. The basement provides extra space that can fit a guest room, storage space, an office, or a studio.

The main advantage of remodeling the basement is that you do not have to add to the home’s square footage, which saves you a lot of construction money.

c) Bump Outs

Image Source: revisioncharlotte.com

A bump out is a great way to remodel a room. For instance, in the master bedroom, you can use a bump out to add bathtub space. A bump-out is usually smaller than a full room addition and is meant to just add some extra space.

Another example of a bump out can be a walk-in closet to a small room that would otherwise not have one.

d) Mud Room

Image Source: garageage.com

At winter or rainy times, when we find ourselves without a clue of what to do about dripping umbrellas and boots, this space comes in rather handy. Also, any activity that would necessitate the removal of shoes as the host of a party should be conducted in the mud room. That you can keep having the mud room at the back or at the front door is a good thing.

e) Storage Space

Whenever you are in need of more storage space, it is better to build a storage room than to hire storage when thinking long-term. Building extra storage space has a lot of ideas to try out like a detached addition or a prefabricated unit.

Storage space is relatively easier to add as it might not need the amenities that a living space might need like air conditioning. You can just attach the room to the exterior wall and add three walls to make a unit. Storage space can be a small unit and does not have to be as large as a room can be, especially when all you need to keep is farm tools, generators, and DIY tools.

f) Enclosed Porch

Image Source: fenceanddeckconnection.com

An enclosed porch allows you to enjoy your compound in all seasons without letting the weather get in your way. An enclosed porch looks great with light decorations and furniture that do not have to be weather-proofed.

g) Deck

Image Source: finehomebuilding.com

Adding a deck to your property is one of the best social decisions for your property. A deck is easier to build compared to a house, and yet it achieves an almost similar result as you will be spending a lot of time on the deck. While being outdoors largely depends on the weather of the day, the deck is a great home improvement.

h) Conventional Home Addition

There are home addition ideas that most homeowners go for, and these are rooms that are essential for every house. In some cases, there is not enough room to include the addition on the home’s original footprint, and in other cases, there is space.

In cases where there is no space, a second-story addition comes in handy or an outdoor solution might be the answer to an addition. Here are some additional ideas most homeowners go for.

  • Guest room
  • Laundry room
  • Dining space
  • Bedroom
  • kitchen

i) Garage Conversion

Image Source: forbes.com

The garage is one of the most converted spaces in homes. A garage can be remodeled into a studio, office, living room, guest room, and more. A garage remodel is relatively costly because the garage is already structurally complete with all the walls standing. A garage is a lot like an unfinished basement, which is another option that is popular with remodels.

j) Detached Home Addition

Image Source: absolutely.london

A detached home addition is a type of addition that is not under the existing roof of a house. The addition is not attached to the main house and is standalone. The goal, which is to add more room, still stands. Some detached home addition ideas include an outdoor kitchen, gym, office space, workshop, and more.

Factors to Consider in Home Addition

Image Source: thegardenoffice.co.uk

Before building an addition to increase the space to a small apartment or home, there are some factors you need to have in mind. Here are some.

i) Real Estate Value

How will your home addition ideas affect the property value of your home? In most cases, your property value will go up with every addition because you are adding the area of your house in square footage.

ii) Cost

Your budget will dictate the extent to which you can go with the addition. A home addition contractor can help you figure out the costs you will incur throughout the project.

iii) Building Codes

Before you create anything in the form of a building, you need to get the necessary permits for the project. Unlike doing an interior design project, changing the structure of the house demands that you get a license for the project.

iv) Utilities

If you are making an addition, you need to keep in mind where you will get the electricity lines from and whether it is possible to do plumbing properly. Certain additions like the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom need inclusions like HVAC systems, fans, drains, and more.

v) Materials

The materials you use in a home addition project will determine the cost of the project. From walls to flooring, ceiling, and finishes, your material choice is one of the main cost factors of a home addition project.

vi) Design

There are a lot of additional ideas you can get online to make your dream space come true. The design you go for will determine your interior design costs as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About

Image Source: ajdevelopmentllc.com

1) What is the meaning of home addition?

A home addition is the incorporation of a finished living space in an already existing floor plan. The additional space can be a dining space, cooking space, or an extra room in the house that functions like a normal room would. A home addition can be attached to or detached from the main house. In some cases, the home addition does not have to be made from scratch, and spaces like the basement or the garage can be used instead.

2) What type of home addition is the cheapest?

Working with a basement, an attic, or a garage is the cheapest way of getting a home addition. This is because such spaces are already structurally complete and do not require too much construction other than plumbing, interior design, and wiring. In some cases, more space can be added to a home by just using the existing space better.

3) How to design an addition to a home?

When making the choice to have an addition home, there are certain tips that will help you design the best addition home. First comes the decision on what the additional space is for. It can be a general-use space that can be converted into a bedroom, a guest room, or a studio, or it can be a space that is more specific to its function, like a kitchen or a bathroom.

The next thing is to decide how much space in square footage you want, as it will dictate what you can do with the space and how much your budget will be.

Next, get floor plans and engage professionals in surveying the viability of your project. The people to talk to include an architect, a structural engineer, an interior designer, an electrician, a plumber, and a construction manager. Engaging professionals will help you get the right quote for your project to help you budget better. Luckily, you may not spend much on this as most service providers will give you a free quote before a project.

After getting a quote, you can proceed and engage an architect to design the addition and a construction manager to work on the project. If you are working with an already existing space, you still need to engage a construction company to avoid missing any steps in renovating the new space.

4) How to build a home addition step by step?

As discussed in the previous question, there are important steps to follow when adding space to your home. Here is a step-by-step guide for a home addition project on your property.

  • Decide what you want to do with the space
  • Look at different ideas online that will work best for your space
  • Find the right professionals for the job; a contractor, a design firm, an architect, a plumber, or an electrician. Mostly, you will find these services under one firm.
  • Get the designs finalized and budget quotes for the project.
  • Get a building permit.
  • Buy materials and prepare the site for construction. This can include moving your family members away from the construction site.
  • Start construction.
  • Move in and enjoy your space.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are building a project as large as a primary bedroom or as small as a walk-in closet, home additions increase your home value and add to the general comfort of your house.

Featured Image Source: modelremodel.com

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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