Every year, it seems the idea of moving to a new house comes up, and every year, we’ve tabled the discussion for “next year.” However, as a family of five in a three-bedroom house, we are starting to feel the strain. Our boys are almost seven years apart, and it is far from ideal for them to share a room anymore. But though we love the idea of a place with more bedrooms and some land, the state of the housing market makes that a bit difficult at the moment. Plus, we love where we live, and the house we have slowly fixed up and made beautiful over the years! After thinking through all the options, we decided to put the effort into finishing our attic, including adding a fourth bedroom.
Attics and basements are often overlooked and relegated to storage, but this process has reminded us of the huge potential they offer. We have joined many others who are making the choice to wait on moving and focus instead of making the best of what we have. There are so many ways to add practical, valuable space to your home, as well as increase its value. This post will outline what’s involved in turning those unused or awkward spaces into functional and beautiful havens.
Photo by Point3D Commercial Imaging on Unsplash
Determine your goals for the space
Sometimes you go into a renovation with a very clear idea of what you want, like with our attic space. Or you might have several ideas but aren’t sure which one to choose. Or you might be clueless about what to do with a space that frustrates you. Spend some time thinking about your goals for the space and your home overall. Use Google to find pictures of rooms that inspire you. If you don’t already have an idea, here are some to get you thinking:
Home Office
Guest bedroom or in-law suite with a bathroom
Entertainment/media room
Home Gym
Craft or hobby room
Assess the space
Structural considerations
Before beginning any serious renovation project, it’s vital to properly identify structural considerations. If you are renovating an attic, can the existing structure handle the load of increased weight from added furniture?
Another important consideration is the feasibility of access points and pathways. If an attic is only accessible by pull-down ladder, do you need to add a staircase? If the basement entry is through a narrow hallway that gets heavy foot traffic, should a wider entry be created to ease bottlenecks?
Moisture, insulation, and repairs
Attics and basements are known for moisture and temperature issues. When assessing your space, be on the lookout for issues like leaks that need repair, or in the case of a basement, ill-fitting outside doors that let in water, air(hot or cold), and pests. Also consider whether there is insulation to ensure warmth in the winter and vents for air conditioning in the summer.
In the case of our attic, it was structurally sound with no moisture concerns or access point considerations, but we needed to insulate and repair a window.
Because a proper assessment affects so many aspects of a renovation, we recommend consulting a licensed professional during this process. They will look for moisture concerns and feasibility issues, and also point out needed repairs. They’ll probably bring up things you didn’t even consider. A consultation with a professional is also a good time to ask questions that help you narrow down your ideas for the space. If you were considering an in-law suite but a bathroom isn’t feasible for the space or your budget, you can re-work your plan before getting your hopes up.
Beck & Call Home Services is available to offer advice and expertise on your renovation projects. We can help you determine what’s possible in your space and point out things you need to consider.
Things to consider for daily use
Storage solutions
It’s likely that your basement or attic was not empty prior to renovation. Many basements and attics become messy storage rooms, and your need for storage won’t go away in the renovated space. Since most of us aren’t forced to live in a cupboard under the stairs, that space can be used to store things you need that aren’t daily necessities, such as holiday décor. Similarly, cupboards under your attic’s eaves would be a clever use of vertical space.
Lighting
Attics and basements usually lack natural light, so it’s important to consider how to add artificial light. There are numerous choices of light fixtures, including pendant lighting, recessed lighting, and even wall sconces. Consider ways to use lighting to highlight architectural features and enhance the overall ambiance of the space.
Flooring
Just like lighting, there are many flooring options, and some may be more suitable than others depending on your space and its use. In a basement that tends to be on the colder side, soft, plush carpet may be a nice way to add warmth. On the other hand, in an attic with wooden beams along the rafters, hardwood in a similar color would create a very “put together” look.
Budget Considerations
Home renovations are expensive and even the most careful planning can’t account for everything. Perhaps you knew there was water damage, but it was a lot worse than anyone anticipated and the entire subfloor needs to be replaced. Because of the potential for these things, we recommend leaving a percentage of your project budget in reserve for emergencies. For example, if your total budget is $30,000, consider only pricing out $25,000 and leaving the remaining $5,000 in reserve. Best case scenario, you are left with $5,000 to purchase amazing décor for your new space. Worst case, you use all $30,000 but because you planned for it, it doesn’t break the bank. Also remember that making choices and trade-offs to stay within budget is just a necessary part of a renovation project. In the moment it can feel awful not to have everything exactly as you imagined it, but in those situations, keep the overall goal in mind and ask yourself what features matter the most to you.
As a licensed contractor, Beck & Call Home Services can help with every stage of your renovation project. Our skilled team will assess your space for structural considerations, moisture, insulation, and repairs. We can also recommend and install the storage solutions, flooring, and lighting needed to make your new space shine. Call us to discuss your project and your budget—we offer financing to make your dream affordable.
Basements and attics are full of untapped potential that can transform your home. Today we challenge you to walk through yours and have fun dreaming about the possibilities!