More people working and schooling from home is leading to more additions – on human and construction fronts. Human additions have happened during many historically challenging times, during power-outages, and post-war times. Human additions sometimes lead to housing additions or moves.
To add onto an existing home means to take over additional space if you are living in a condo/shared wall world. In a stand-alone house structure, it means to take off a roof and add another story; to dig a basement; or to expand at ground level and take-away from yard space. In some cases, an addition takes the form of a new garage, or shop, or adding a second story to an existing garage.
In some suburban areas, cities are changing codes to allow for a “second dwelling” to exist on what was formerly a single-family-house property for the purposes of multi-generational living; or for the purposes of air-b-n-b rentals. These code changes happened before COVID. They might just prove to be brilliant. Time will tell.
Additions require more planning than a new-build structure because the new and the existing have to mesh together architecturally, structurally, and in their design. Rooflines, walls, and floors must match up. Exterior siding materials need to be congruent. And a clear sense of where the addition starts and stops is critical so that you are not completely redoing the entire house – which can happen quickly when discussing design ideas and then lead to a blown budget.
Perhaps adding a pillow to change the feel of the room is a more manageable decision. Or, changing the window coverings may be the right addition. One friend paints rooms in her house every other year to feel like the house has changed. Paint is a more cost-reasonable way then a full-blown addition to create a change-up. While it doesn’t add space, it does add freshness and cheer.
Knocking out windows and walls may be just the space change-up you need to create a family addition that meets your needs. However, pillows, paint, bath towels, furniture re-arrangements, or window coverings might be the most effective changes for creating the sense of an addition.
What addition could work best for you and your home?
Photo note: Earth Rotations by Peg Owens for NestingCards® captures landscapes that feel like home.
Nesting (the blog and NestingCards® the product line) is about the objects and experiences that create a sense of home. Without home, it is difficult to maintain health, find joy, or to be productive. Enjoy the NestingCards series of blogs on your search for and creation of a deep sense of home. Also, enjoy browsing www.NestingCards.com for fun, for gifts, and for joy-spreading possibilities. ~ Jana
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Jana Kemp
