Add a guest room to your home and make the most of it

Spring tends to inspire home improvement projects, doesn’t it? Even though spring is a great season for smaller tasks like cleaning and organizing, it can also serve as a good time to do bigger projects like remodeling and renovations or adding an addition to the home. Perhaps it’s time to think bigger and expand if your walls feel too confining. Addition of a guest room is one popular method of doing so.

What Are the Benefits of Adding a Guest Room to Your Home?

The obvious benefit is having a special place where friends and family can gather. Shifting rooms around or having to sleep on a pull-out couch simply does not work after a while, especially if you have young children.

Here are a few other benefits to keep in mind:

• You may call it a guest room, but in reality it’s just another bedroom. The value of the property will increase!
• Guest rooms that are large and fully-functional, such as featuring a bath and kitchenette, are increasingly popular with in-laws. These larger quarters are versatile and can be a real asset.
• When guests aren’t in town, a well-designed guest room can be transformed into whatever you need it to be: a rec room, a play area, a luxurious home office (that doesn’t hurt either! ), etc.

Where Should You Build Your New Guest Room?

There are three primary options:

1. Detached quarters
2. Repurpose an existing space that isn’t being used to its full potentials, like an attic or basement
3. Build an addition and connect to it your home

There are a number of considerations associated with each choice above. Ideally, you should consult your building professional, analyze your property, and take into consideration your budget as well.

What Should You Include in Your New Guest Space?

As we discussed already, your addition can range from a simple room with a bed to an expansive suite.

Be open-minded, and try to consider the long-term value of the project. In other words, not just resale value, but our real-life value. Adding an addition to your home can give it a new purpose and spark excitement, and that deserves careful consideration.

• Why not add a bathroom? When it fits your budget, this is never a bad choice. Guests, as well as your family, will appreciate the convenience.
• Space – Keep in mind the maximum number of potential occupants. Having a little extra space is better than not enough! You may want to consider two twin beds instead of one queen or king-sized bed.

Storage – A full-sized closet is an important feature to include, especially since it will complete the functionality (and marketability) of a bedroom in the future. This is also a great place to store guest linens, towels, and perhaps travel-sized toiletries just in case.

• Carpet may be comfortable underfoot, but does anyone in your family or friends suffer from allergies? You might consider hardwood or tile instead, which is easier to clean and maintain.

What Impacts the Cost of Your Guest Room Addition?

Here are few of the key contributors:

• The type of space you want to add
• The size/square footage of the addition
• (Window, light switches, electrical outlets, siding for the exterior): type and quantity of materials.
• Do you plan to add any specialized touches? The bathroom features custom cabinetry, radiant heat, and luxury features, etc…

Lastly, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of finding the right professional to meet your needs. A solution-based approach, creativity, and experience are all necessary.

Good luck with your home improvement adventure!