Does Bigger Mean Better?

It’s important to realize that bigger doesn’t always mean better, particularly when it comes to increasing the square footage of your home. Adding only a few extra feet to your kitchen, master bath, or bedroom, if designed well, can provide you with exactly what you need and cost substantially less than a larger home addition. Keeping the exterior simple and rectangular in its design is far more cost effective than a more complicated structure that’s angled or curved in any way. If you need a little extra space in the living room, for example, consider projecting out a few feet from the exterior wall and create a quaint, cozy seating nook or sunroom. Creating more space can be tough on any budget. However, a great cost effective alternative is to borrow some extra space from neighboring rooms or infrequently used areas. Repurposing and reconfiguring existing space is more eco-friendly. Why not use a room you already have and turn your existing front porch into that charming entrance you’ve been longing for? If your kitchen is tight and compartmentalized and backs on to a butler’s pantry, mudroom, or oversized dining room, the more sensible solution would be to re-plan the kitchen by borrowing space from these adjacent rooms. When planning a mudroom, make it large enough to store outdoor equipment and outerwear, in addition to a washer, dryer, sink, and cabinets for storage.   If this doesn’t suit your family’s needs then consider the best of both worlds and “renov-add-on”.  (Renovate and add on)! I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “How to Avoid the 15 Most Common Decorating Mistakes” Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc