Probably the most straightforward and most thought of home addition that adds significant square footage to a residence is constructing a second story. This may be our most expensive suggestion, but there are some major advantages to a second story. It is perfect for the growing family, doesn’t require any more property space, and is guaranteed to add property value. Not all home architecture can support the extra weight, so be sure to consult with a professional before taking any major steps.

If you want to be savvy with your home addition, and start making your money back quickly, then consider adding an attached accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Attached ADUs are typically newly constructed rooms attached to the primary home. Attached ADUs are also known as addition ADUs or ‘bump-out ADUs’. They double as an extra potential source of income and as a spare room for your family. People add a room (and usually a bathroom) so an extra individual could really ‘live’ inside the house. Attached ADUs sometimes have their own entrance, so renters living there have an extra sense of privacy and ease of access. 

Do you like enjoying a sunny day on your front porch? Maybe you currently don’t have a porch and want to enjoy your front yard more? Then consider building a sunroom. Add comfortable couches, chairs, and enclosed windows to transform your porch into a true sunroom. Walls, windows, lights, and furniture will make your porch feel like a second living room.

While they don’t necessarily add livable space in the sense of being able to sleep, decks add and optimize usable outdoor space. Decks create a comfortable and inviting area to enjoy fresh air, barbeque, or roast marshmallows with friends and family. For 2020, both wood and composite deck additions are among the top ten remodeling projects with the highest ROI. If you want to learn about all the considerations and expenses associated with decking, check out our comprehensive guide.

These are perhaps the least costly methods of adding usable square footage because each requires the least amount of construction.  However, these options may not be applicable to every household. Some attics are just too small and some homes don’t have basements. If you have usable space to work with in either your attic or basement, then you should strongly consider this option. Transform your basement into a man cave, bar, or home theater. Add a window to your attic, lay down rugs, and set up a personal gym or lounge!

The kitchen and bathroom are perhaps the most important place when it comes to interior home improvement. They are essential elements of the home that can either make it or break it. Adding room to either has great return on investment. Boost your kitchen’s square footage by turning a flex space or bump-out addition into a walk-in pantry, knocking down a wall seperating the living room, or add abreakfast nook. For the bathroom: include space for a soaking tub, dual sinks, or rid of your porcealin tub-shower combo and upgrade to a walk in shower to illude more space. You can even get creative and add a half-bath in an underutilized small space like underneath a staircase

Detached ADU’s a private and extremely functional stand-alone structures. These can serve as a guest house, a pool house, or whatever your heart desires. The only downsides: detached ADUs consumes a good chunk of yard space and are relatively expensive. However, you Detached ADUs will make you their money back quickly! They are extremely attractive to tenants because they are essentially tiny homes, usually boasting a small kitchen, bathroom, and a lounge area.

Like the basement and attic suggestion, converting a garage into a usuable space is relatively cheap.The price starts to increase when you want to add an extra bathroom or closet, however, converted garages in places like california are legal to rent out and are considered an ADU. Useful additions like adding running water or a kitchen can make an ADU a more attractive to potential rentals. If you don’t mind parking the cars outside, then you can transform this space into plenty of extra square footage for your family to take advantage of. Of course, you can always construct a car part to help keep your cars looking good.