One of the most common complaints by Northern Virginia homeowners is lack of space. This often prompts them to want to buy a new home. Rather than relocating, it is often easier and less expensive to keep the existing home and find more space in it. This can be done by consulting a discount home improvement contractor. There are 3 main ways to find more living and storage space in a home; change it, create it or add it.
Create
Moving walls and changing the existing construction of a wall can create much-needed space. In a kitchen, for example, most older homes in the area have up to a foot-and-a-half of blank wall space above the highest cabinet. With a Northern Virginia custom remodeling project, the existing cabinet can be extended up toward the ceiling, adding a few more shelves to store pots, pans and dishes. The number of items that fit on a shelf will increase when the door is removed. Rather than having a separate kitchen, dining room and living room, change the wall partitions to make a great room. The wide open space offers more room to move about and makes the household more comfortable. Removing a wall between a bathroom and closet could allow for a full shower in what is presently a half-bath.
Change
Revising the use of an existing room or storage area can drastically change the home’s comfort level. Sometimes existing space is not used efficiently. It can be converted to serve a more necessary purpose. The basement may contain a couch and a television set, while three children are sharing a bedroom upstairs. Instead, a partition can be built, the couch moved, and a full bedroom constructed in its place. Attic space is often the most wasted space in the house. By revamping the space upstairs, a new home office, playroom or entertainment center can reduce the cramped feeling in the rest of the house below.
Add
When all of the space in the home has been repurposed or adjusted and more room is needed, it might be time for a home addition. Converting the carport into a bedroom, constructing a deck or adding a second story over the garage are some options. Consult a professional on how to determine whether the structure is sturdy enough and what type of zoning laws are affected, especially in Northern Virginia. For example, what is acceptable in Fairfax County may not be permissible in Arlington. An additional room or wing on a house can make the difference between raised tension levels and comfortable bliss.