In last week's column we explained that
when it comes to home additions, bigger is not always better. We presented some
less-expensive yet effective alternatives to a large addition.
The simple addition of a second-story bay window above one that already
existed on the main floor created a perfect spot in the
master bath for a new jetted tub, above. It also freed
up space for a larger shower and closet. See
this project.
Renovation Design
Group |
Today we'll discuss another
alternative to a "big box" addition: adding on just a few feet. Small but
well-designed additions can give you exactly what you need at a fraction of the
cost. They also create minimal change in the exterior appearance of your home.
Small additions are especially effective in bathrooms, living rooms, dining
rooms and kitchens.
For example, a couple in Holladay came to us wanting a larger shower and
closet for their second-story master bathroom. Rather than making a large
addition, we simply added a 2-by-4-foot bay directly above a bay window that
already existed in the dining room below the master bath. This created a perfect
spot for a new jetted tub, which freed up space for a larger, separate shower
and a bigger closet. The overall configuration of the space was also much
improved.
A couple in the Avenues had a living room that was only 11 feet wide. We
designed a 2-by-6-foot bay window on one side of the living room. This minor
addition allowed them to include the additional furniture they wanted to use — a
coffee table and an extra chair.
Adding bays in living rooms or dining rooms also creates an attractive focal
point in the space while increasing the rooms' natural light and views to the
exterior. Bays also allow for the inclusion of window seats, which are both
functional and aesthetic. They can offer additional seating, create a cozy niche
adjacent to a larger space and provide storage space under the seat.
In a kitchen, adding just 2 feet to one side allows you to put in extra
cabinets while maintaining the kitchen's open floor space.
If you're interested in making a small addition to your home, keep the
following structural aspects in mind:
• It is possible to have a small addition, such as a bay window, jut several
feet out from the wall of your home, eliminating the need to pour a new concrete
foundation.
The simple addition of a second-story bay window above one that already
existed on the main floor, above, created a perfect spot
in the master bath for a new jetted tub. See
this project.
Renovation Design Group |
• You can
"borrow" a few feet from a room or space adjacent to the room you want to
enlarge. For example, you can capture the space from a closet to add to a
bathroom, which would allow enough space for a new shower or bathtub.
• If you have a large roof overhang of 2 to 4 feet, you may be able to tuck
an addition under your existing roof. If you don't have such an overhang, you
will need to build a new roof to cover an addition.
Correction: The floor plan pictured in last week's column was
incorrectly identified as the existing plan. The drawing represented the new
floor plan.
Architects
Ann Robinson, AIA, and Annie Vernon, AIA, welcome your design
questions at Ask@RenovationDesignGroup.com.
Robinson and Vernon are founding principals of Renovation
Design Group, a local architectural firm specializing in residential
remodeling design.
To register for "Designing a Remodel with Character &
Class," call 533-5331 or click
here for details.
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