To desire to create more space in your home is something many of us will encounter at some point.  Whether the family is growing, the kids want their own space or you have a job that involves working from home, there are lots of reasons why more space is required.  But what are the best ways to gain that extra space?

Loft conversions

Not every property is suitable for a loft conversion but if it is, then you can gain a substantial amount of space.  There are some regulations that apply to what you need to do if you plan to make it into a liveable space but a builder specialising in renovation projects will easily help you with this.  Even if you want somewhere to store all the clutter from downstairs, the loft can be ideal and with a little more work, it can easily be transformed into a bedroom, a playroom or even a home cinema room.

Looking long term, adding a loft conversion can increase the value of your property and also its appeal to potential buyers.  Some experts say that by spending £25,000 on a loft conversion, you could increase the value of your house by £40,000, although there are other factors that come into it.

Extending the house

Perhaps the most popular way to add space to your house in Cheltenham and around the area is with an extension.  There are also lots of different styles that mean you can get just what you want – these include brick built extensions, conservatories, and numerous styles in between such as orangeries and garden rooms.  Once space is added, there is a lot you can do with it.

Solid extensions look much like the main house and can be a single or double storey to match the height of the property – although two storey extensions are harder to pass through planning permission.  Conservatories make great casual space for dining rooms, living areas or even for home offices.  Then combination styles such as garden rooms have something of both and can be used for almost any purpose.

Repurposing space

Sometimes, the answer isn’t to add but to amend the space that you have.  Often, on older houses, there was the idea of having lots of smaller rooms but the modern preference for wider, open spaces can mean that repurposing space could be an excellent idea.

Walls can often be removed by an experienced builder to allow two rooms to become one.  A kitchen and dining room is a popular example – remove one wall and you have an open space that is light, airy and still practical.  Similarly, removing walls between two small bedrooms to create one larger one can work if you don’t need the two rooms separate.  Bigger rooms can house more furniture and still have space leftover.

Conclusion

There are lots of ways to make more space in your home from adding an extension to repurposing space already within it.  By getting advice from a qualified builder, you can be sure the work you are planning is acceptable under the different regulations and will provide the space you desire.

Trends are great – they give you an idea about what’s popular for the year and what is going to be in the shops.  As builders, trends can be a very wide area that covers everything from extension styles to the kind of kitchens people might want us to fit.  So, what are the big home improvement trends for 2017?

Colour trends

For many interiors projects, colour trends are always crucial.  People often go one of two ways when having a renovation of their kitchen or bathroom – embrace the latest trends or go the other way!  One of the big trends for interiors this year is the use of matte black.  Glossy white has been popular for a few years but this year, the opposite is true.  Kitchen units in matte wood effects are bringing a very sophisticated look to kitchens and can also be applied to appliances and even other rooms of the house.

Copper accents have come to replace the trend of rose gold that we saw in interiors last year.  This one is very easy to use in the kitchen with everything from lighting to pots and pans and even accessories such as picture frames or cushions in other rooms.

If you like colour in your room, then you will want to embrace the jewel tones trend for 2017.  Not every part of the room needs to be in these bold shades and make an excellent feature wall or focus colour.  Dark purples, blues and greens are particularly popular.

Styles on trend

If there’s a style that is popular in Cheltenham and around the area that is easy to get into, it’s Bohemian.  You can’t even get a clear definition of what it means and that openness and flexibility mean you can bring some Boho chic into your room and also ensure the space is very personal.  Bohemian often uses a lot of soft colours such as pinks and turquoise alongside upcycled furniture and patterned accents.

Nature inspired looks remain a big trend for this year and this is another style that lets you interpret is as you like.  It can involve bringing real plants into spaces to add that natural touch as well as the colours they bring.  It can also mean using natural accents such as wooden shelves or marble accents in a bathroom.  The Pantone Colour of the Year is even called Greenery and is a natural green shade that reminds you of trees and plants so there’s no doubt that the use of natural elements and colours will be a big trend for 2017.

Smart homes

Perhaps the biggest trend that builders are integrating into their designs this year isn’t about the décor, the furniture or the style of the room – it’s the use of smart home features.  There are lots of these devices already available such as smart lighting, thermostats and even smart appliances and the demand for them looks set to continue.  More customers are asking for ways to integrate these smart facilities into their rooms in different ways and have the home of the future today.

Over time, the needs we have from our home change as our lives change.  Children are born or leave home, an older family member may need to come and stay or an older child might need to live with the family again for a time.  Sometimes, it is just that we have different needs from the space in our home and there isn’t quite enough so we consider moving to another.  But is there a case for extending your home rather than moving?  And how do you decide?

Why extending might be perfect

Let’s look at the argument for extending your home first.  The property itself, the location and your budget can all have an impact on what you can do in terms of an extension.  For example, some areas around Cheltenham might be in conservation areas or be a listed building that severely limits what you can do.  But a good builder will quickly give you ideas about what options are available to help you decide.

With extending your property, once you know it is possible, there are countless options.  Single storey extensions are one of the most popular styles and can be used for almost any purpose.  They can serve as an extra bedroom, a dining room, a hobby room or even another sitting room.  En-suite bathrooms can be incorporate or they can extend existing rooms such as the kitchen or living room.

The main consideration for extensions is the cost involved and the disruption to life while the work is being done.  You can use the Planning Portal from the government to get ideas about the potential costs and a good builder will give you a no obligation quote.  Also, remember you will have to live in the house while the work is being done.

Why moving house might be the answer

For other people, the idea of moving house to acquire the space needed is the preferred option.  The cost of adding an extension can be substantial and the disruption to life, while it is done, can be harassing.  Some people opt to move home because the cost of the extension doesn’t equal the gain in the value of the house and therefore it is better to reinvest the money elsewhere.

There are costs to consider when moving house, however.  Estate agency fees, solicitor’s fees, search fees and stamp duty all have to be factored into the decision.  Then there are removal costs, decorating the new property and the upheaval of moving itself.  Finally, you likely need to get a mortgage and the market is a little more restricted than in previous years after the financial turmoil of the last decade.

Conclusion

There’s no right and wrong answer to the question of whether it is better to extend or to move.  It depends on your needs, your attachment to your current home and the availability of the property you require.  If you feel that you can’t face a move or can’t find the right property, then extending may be perfect.  But if you don’t like the idea of spending more money on the existing house or facing the disruption, then a move may be on the cards.

So, you have a little cash surplus and you want to spend some of it on your home.  Your aim is to increase the space or facilities within your house but also to add value to it.  There are so many options that it can seem hard to make a choice.  However, if you talk to builders in Cheltenham who specialise in extension and renovation projects, they will give you some definite ideas about the best options.  Here are 5 to help you make a decision.

Kitchen renovation

One of the top items on the list is always the kitchen renovation, though with a word of caution.  If you are planning to sell your home, then balance the money you spend with the increased chance of selling the property.  For example, you can spend thousands on a kitchen and it might not increase the value of your home by the same number but it will increase your chances of selling the home for the price you want.  Most builders say that you can recoup anywhere from 60-120% of the outlay if you are clever about what you spend.

Bathroom renovation

Another key point in selling a house and increasing its value is the bathroom and that’s why it is as popular as a kitchen renovation.  Bathroom renovations can see you recoup around 80-130% of what you spend in some cases, especially if the bathroom was showing its age before.  You might also want to consider adding bathroom space as part of the project – it is surprising how a small space can be transformed into an additional bathroom or toilet room.

Extending the home

Figures on how much an extension can add to your home are very variable due to the many factors involved.  But there’s no doubt that adding extra space is always a benefit to your house price and the home’s sell-ability.  Working with a builder will get you ideas that are within the planning permission rules and can add a substantial amount of space to the home.

Converting the loft

Some experts say that converting a loft can add 9-10% onto the value of a property so bear this in mind when looking at how much it will cost to renovate.  Some lofts aren’t well suited or there is a massive amount of work to be done in order make the space usable.  But for other homes, loft conversions are simple and can make a substantial extra area.

Reinventing a room

Sometimes you don’t need to add a room to create new space in the home and reinvented a room can add value and appeal to the house.  This can range from converting a basement or cellar if the house has one to changing the layout of bedrooms to add new space or make existing rooms bigger.  People seem to prefer larger rooms so if you have two small bedrooms, it might be worth considering making them into one larger one, possibly with an en-suite bathroom added.