At some point every homeowner thinks about how to get additional living space within their home. You might be looking to extend your family, start a business at home, or simply run out of space and need more. There are lots of alternatives to consider to get more space. The most popular thoughts often tend to be re-constructuring your home either by loft conversions, extensions or knocking down walls. All 3 ideas will work but can be costly and definately require more work than just building a wall, knocking interior walls down or moving furniture around and that's when people tend to look for alternatives such as conservatories or additional outside garden buildings and they may even consider DIY conservatories as you can specify your requirements.
Garden Buildings
There is the option of a log cabin or even a converted shed. These days both offer modern designs and personal touches. You can even forget you are in a garden shed once the home comforts have been installed. These can be costly alternatives but log cabins can easily feel like a home from home. The downside to both log cabins or sheds occurs when you think of the landscape of your garden and the placing of the garden building. They dont tend to be positioned too closely to the house dwelling. This will mean any additional space you were after has to be separate from the household needs. Log cabins would make great business premises but not ideal for dinner parties for example.
Loft Conversions
A loft conversion is popular but not as easy at you would think to build. You need to consider how the rest of the house now fits with the new loft extension. They are a great ideas for extra bedrooms but get a professional surveyor and builder in to confirm exactly what needs to be done before you go ahead and set your mind on a loft conversion.
Extensions
If you have the room you might consider an extention or knocking through. This can be great if you have garden or outside space you dont use very much. Check that you have the right planning permission and that your new build wont affect your view or your neighbours. The popular choice tends to be an extension to a kitchen, or kitchen and dining room. If you need to create an extra bedroom an extension can be useful as you can extend on the ground floor and in some cases the first floor.
Conservatories
However, if you are thinking of working from home and need to create extra space then conservatories work really well. They can be utilised all year round and make a perfect setting for working from home. You would have natural light, the calming effect of being separate from the home, but also the comfort and luxury of working from home. They are stylish and can be ordered in several designs and size dimensions.
Conservatories can then also double up as an extended living room if required during the summer months - if you are able to move your office around. Also, if in the future you dont have the need to work from home anymore, you can simply convert your new conservatory into a great space to enjoy your garden or relax in the evenings. If you previously build a brand new room that is no longer required this can often become the spare room, which like most households, ends up being the 'junk room'.
If you like the idea of a conservatory why not start looking at some conservatory prices and consider DIY conservatories also called, or referred to as a self build conservatory. There are companies that can supply and fit to your exact specifications, or if you prefer you can specify your dimensions and then build it yourself. This can be a great cost saver, but make sure you have the relevant skills, knowledge and experience of building conservatories. Getting the right advice will save you time and money.
Posted in: House Plans
