Living room addition ideas

Home addition ideas: 10 space-expanding designs |

(Image credit: Future / Matthew Williams)

If you love where you live but your home doesn’t meet your needs any longer, home addition ideas are what’s required. They can spare you the search for a new property and the stress of uprooting the family to a new neighborhood.

Additions can transform a home in many ways. An addition could expand an existing kitchen perhaps, so there’s space for an island, create an extra living room, or even add a new level to the house to meet changing needs. Or perhaps you are looking to add an extra story or simply take advantage of sunroom ideas to enjoy the weather and your backyard view from indoors.

To inspire your home addition ideas we’ve put together a selection of fabulous rooms that delivered both extra space and style for the homeowners.

Home addition ideas

Planning a home addition can be a fulfilling project. From smaller additions such as a sunroom to a whole new story, home addition ideas have the potential to vastly improve life at home.

When you are starting your home renovation, it is also important to know about home addition costs. Whether it’s a small or large addition, it’s essential to have an adequate budget for the project from the start. Take a look at these examples to get you started.

1. Size up for a growing family

(Image credit: Leslie Saul & Associates)

Consider more than one addition to adapt a home to family circumstances. Several additions were made to this 1920s Tudor to fit the lifestyle of a young family by Leslie Saul & Associates .

‘A primary bedroom and bath were added above the existing garage, the dining room was expanded to the front of the house, and a large family room was added to the back (seen above), styled to match the Tudor original, including a large craftsman stone and stucco fireplace,’ says Leslie Saul.

2. Connect old and new

(Image credit: M Lavender Interiors Photograph: Chris Bradley Photography)

An addition can link the original house with a new area of the home. ‘This addition was the conversion of a screen porch into a year-round sitting room,’ explains Mark Lavender, principal designer of M Lavender Interiors . ‘It provides the transitional connection between the existing historic home and the newly constructed kitchen and family room addition.

‘It is located immediately off the foyer and is viewed from the living room, foyer and kitchen areas of the home. Our client loves color and we have used vibrant primary and secondary colors throughout the home and felt this space deserved to be a quiet respite for the homeowner. Our client has claimed this room as her own in a house with five boys and her husband. She uses it for her needlepointing and for reading.

‘This room is one of my favorite rooms in the house. We love the filtered light that streams into the room from the large windows and the surrounding trees. It is such a light and airy space and we chose to enhance that feeling with the neutral sofa and window treatments. We enhanced this with pops of colors on the toss pillows – the fabric of the chinoiserie toss pillows matches the wallcovering in the adjacent foyer and the vibrant blue chair. The rug marries the main colors together in a handsome traditional way.’

3. Expand the kitchen

(Image credit: Rebel Builders Photograph: Freebird)

Popular home addition ideas include boosting the size of the kitchen to make it a space to share with family and friends, and you can do this with a conservatory design.

‘This kitchen was an essential renovation for our clients who craved a space for entertaining, while also making room for their growing family,’ says Diana Pauro, founder of Rebel Builders . ‘This professional kitchen island idea was designed with hydronic radiant floors, custom cabinets, and an enormous island perfect for food prep and gathering.

‘After studying the exterior and finding the best layout of the windows to align with the existing ones and with the interior requirements, we decided not to have upper cabinets in the main kitchen wall. By choosing open shelving the wall felt lighter and had a better flow connecting existing with the new footprint.

‘Because the clients emphasized their need for natural light and connection to their backyard, a total of 11 new windows were also included. The clients’ choice of dark stained wood detailing was influenced by the adjacent dining room wall paneling to help the spaces transition more smoothly. This high contrast color scheme was a must for the clients. We explored many options and decided to have the black windows create a picture frame that would show vignettes of the greenery outside.’

4. Create a spacious primary bedroom

(Image credit: Maggie Griffin Design Photograph: Brian Bieder)

If your main bedroom isn’t living up to its name, home addition ideas might be on the agenda to boost its size. This bedroom addition from Maggie Griffin Design is a luxurious room that’s light filled thanks to its French windows.

A white paneled ceiling also helps keep the addition bright by reflecting the natural light, while floral trail drapes and upholstery link indoors with out.

5. Complement original architecture

(Image credit: Leslie Saul & Associates)

An addition inspired by the architecture of a home can be the perfect choice, as it was for this home located in a historic district in Massachusetts.

‘A great room addition fits into a saltbox shape, low in the front, so as not to overpower the original colonial house, and high in the back, to provide light and views to the beautiful site,’ says Leslie Saul.

6. Work within the rules

(Image credit: JL Design)

Zoning regulations may affect home addition ideas, but that doesn’t mean boosting a home’s size is out of the question.

‘This was a home in a historic overlay that required we keep the existing 1940s front elevation,’ says Jessica Davis, owner and principal designer at JL Design . ‘We removed the entire back wall of the existing home and added approximately 2800 square foot to this modern home, in addition to this roughly 500 square foot screened porch.

‘Our clients wanted the ability to open the interior space to the exterior space which was achieved with an extra wide glass sliding door. The young couple wanted to be able to use the space year round so we added heaters in the ceiling as well as ceiling fans, screen and draperies to keep out the elements when needed.

‘This couple also loves to entertain so it was important that we provide seating for parties and events. The decor is reflective of the modern interior of the home and an extension of that.’

7. Retain a home’s character

(Image credit: Rebel Builders Photograph: Freebird)

Additions can substantially increase a home’s size while keeping its existing character.

‘This was a project for clients who loved the property that they owned,’ explains Diana Pauro. ‘They had access to a lake and they had a supportive community where they were. They didn’t want to leave but their house was too small. So instead of moving out of the amazing property, they decided to build this addition. Ultimately, we ended up doubling the square footage of the house.

‘We had months of design where we asked ourselves, “how do we create an addition, that keeps the original character of the house, without making it look like we built on an addition?” We played a lot with volumes and proportions to make sure this addition was as smooth as possible.

‘We put the family room looking over their beautiful backyard to bring the outside in. We created the mudroom and the breakfast nook to alleviate the uses of the kitchen, which was used as an eat-in kitchen/living room previously.

‘There was no second floor so we created a new staircase with a new main suite. Their vision was a modern and luxurious suite with an office that could also be a guest room when needed. Although the bathroom for the office/guest room is a Jack and Jill style bathroom, this space would be primarily used by the clients, so this wasn’t an issue for them. They also wanted a massive walk-in closet with a vanity for her to get ready at.

‘We were able to take this humble little house and turn it into this big family modern farmhouse with bold statements such as light flooring, vaulted ceilings, and a gorgeous en suite with crisp colors and textures.’

8. Make a porch all-season

(Image credit: Georgia Zikas Design)

A sunroom can prove a relatively low cost way to increase space in a home. Georgia Zikas of Georgia Zikas Design transformed this 15 x 20 screened-in porch into a four season room with baseboard heat and sliders to outside. The patio was expanded with new blue stone, too, while porcelain tile flooring looks like gray slate. There’s a wood ceiling with sheetrock blue board for moisture, plus painted brick, and the fresh furnishings are all outdoor grade.

‘A sunroom really expands the footprint and adds great square footage, increasing home value,’ says Georgia. ‘A vaulted ceiling (which we did here) is fantastic for adding height to the room.’

9. Add indoors and out

(Image credit: Murray Lampert)

It’s always worth thinking about improving outside space at the same time when planning an addition.

Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel added the left hand wing to this home, creating an en suite that boosts the home’s square footage. But also added was a walking deck, creating useful extra outdoor space to enjoy.

10. Get a lot from a little

(Image credit: MC Design)

An addition to a room doesn’t have to be sizeable to improve a property by a large measure.

‘In this living room, the wall originally ended where the fireplace wall ends,’ explains Los Angeles-based Megan Dufresne, principal designer at MC Design . ‘We added on to allow a natural flow from one room to another and add on to the living space.

Is it worth it to add on to your house?

It can be worth it to add on to your house, but it will depend on individual circumstances. ‘The return on investment depends on size, comparables and what the market bears in the area,’ says Gregg Cantor, president and CEO of Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel .

Keep in mind that adding on to your house will save the costs of moving home as well as the upheaval. It can also improve your quality of life, which can definitely make a well designed addition worthwhile.

Can you build an addition without a foundation?

Generally, you can’t build an addition without a foundation. As an example, ‘In California, the building code requires footings for all exterior walls,’ says Gregg Cantor. Check the building code for your area or speak to a local architect or design and build contractor.

One way of avoiding having to construct a foundation could be to add a second story. There’s a caveat here, though. ‘If you are building up you need to make sure the existing structure beneath can hold the weight,’ says Susan Taylor of Davis Taylor Design .

Another option could be an addition that’s cantilevered off the existing foundation, and this could be an option if you only need to add a small amount of space.

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator.

Great Room Addition Ideas | Great Room Home Additions in Columbus, Ohio

Call us at (614) 459-7211.

After a holiday gathering, the last guest has finally left your house. You sigh and look around before tackling the clean-up. You can’t help but wish it hadn’t been so cramped with all of the people in your home. Elbows were bumping and seating was cramped. While you love hosting gatherings, the space inside your home is tight.

Does this sound familiar? One of the perfect solutions for this type of problem is a great room addition. Clients often choose to add a great room to their home when they want to:

Increase the square footage of their home
Make their home more open concept
Be able to host large gatherings with improved traffic flow and entertaining space
Add an extra living space so the family has an additional TV room

There are lots of other benefits of adding a great room to a property. No matter what your reason may be, a great room addition can add value to your home. Now, what should you think about for this type of room addition? Here are the popular trends we’ve been seeing:

Vaulted or Two-Story Ceilings

When building a full great room addition, open up the space vertically with a beautiful vaulted or two-story ceiling. Next, add big windows to bring in as much natural light as possible. Not only will this make the space brighter, it’ll make the space feel bigger, too. This is one of the most common features added to this type of family room or living room addition — it truly makes the room “great”.

Stone or Brick Fireplace

Another key feature of many great rooms is the addition of a fireplace. If you do opt for a vaulted or two-story ceiling great room, make your fireplace the focal point by bringing it all the way to the ceiling. And even if your great room has regular 8-foot ceilings, you can still use the addition of a beautiful fireplace to pull it all together. Whether your fireplace is wood-burning or gas, it’s a feature that’ll keep you cozy during our cold Ohio winters.

Beamed Ceilings

A great room should be one of the central rooms in the house. Especially if you plan to use the room to host gatherings, giving it some unique features makes it especially grand. Adding wood beams to the tall ceilings is one way to make it “wow” everyone who steps inside. The beams add contrasting depth to the room and draw attention to the high ceilings. Guests will be drawn to the great room and enjoy spending quality time with you in this space.

Built-In Storage

Want to add efficiency and functionality to your great room addition, too? Think about how you can incorporate more storage. You can never have enough shelving and cabinets throughout your home, and built-ins are a classy way to make use of this increased square footage without adding bulky furniture. Check out this example from one of our clients who added built-ins around the fireplace, including one that was the perfect size for a wall-mounted flatscreen TV.

No matter what kind of great room addition you choose to build, it’s sure to get lots of use and become one of the most beloved rooms in the house. This major home remodeling project is the perfect way to add extra square footage to your home, especially if you want more space for hosting gatherings.

Remodels, Renovations, and Additions in Columbus, Ohio

Dave Fox is an employee-owned company that makes our clients our number one priority. We design and build remodeling, renovation, and addition projects for our clients in Central Ohio and deliver the best value through exceptional craftsmanship, excellent materials, and ethical business practices. Contact us today to learn more!

10 ideas for the living room. How to arrange corners?

In this article we will try to give you some tips that we hope will help you. The problem is not that it is difficult for a designer to think over the design of the corner space, but how to link it with the rest of the space and its accompanying design. The main task is to understand how best it can harmonize with everything else design and what advantages can be derived from this. Some corners require difficult but no less exciting work, others can look stunning with minimal intervention. This can be seen in the interiors that look balanced with minimal intervention in the interior of the corners. The main task is to save precious square meters, so you need to transform boring corners into creative and functional ones. nine0003

1. Stylish sectional sofas

Probably the first thing that comes to mind is the use of comfortable corner sofas, specially designed for non-standard or small rooms where free space is priceless. Simply place the pendant lights in the right places and the wall sconces above your head behind the sofa . Thus, you can easily turn the room into a quiet corner for reading or relaxing. spending time with friends. nine0003

2. Add warmth and fire to your home

Fire and water are always a mysterious charm and a touch of romance in the interior. Some designers can hide a nondescript corner behind a corner aquarium. Can you follow our advice and install interior fireplaces in one of the corners. Depending on the object, if it is an apartment, then you can use a stylish electric fireplace, and if it is a cottage or a townhouse, then you can use a fireplace on natural fuel, which will undoubtedly be more romantic and spectacular. Do not forget to think about lighting, for example, you can place luxurious hanging chandelier , which will fill the interior with enough light, and the fireplace will create coziness before going to bed.

3. Cozy corner

If you do not have too much space, then you can and should use empty corners in order to make the space more functional and practical. For example, you can put an ottoman, a small cozy armchair, a cozy floor lamp , voila... And you have a cozy corner where you can while away not a single evening over a pleasant book with a cup of tea or a glass of dry red wine. And remember in this case The most important thing is the right light source. nine0003

4. Functionality tailored to your needs

Creating a functional entertainment media center in the corner gives more advantages. Firstly, it is used free space, secondly, the freed space can be used to create additional zones of comfort and relaxation. Recently, designers have increasingly begun to use under the TV interior fireplaces, of course, observing all safety measures. In addition, corner placement media center, makes the composition more elegant and practical, while being the center of attention and relaxation in the room. nine0003

5. Decorative partitions

Stylish and beautiful partitions are the perfect addition to the interior for designers around the world. Starting from simple Asian style or more complex patterns suitable for fireplaces or intricate with wall shelves. The trick is to choose decor and accessories that complement the interior and become a natural extension of the existing space.

6. Comfortable working space nine0005

More and more people are working from home, preferring to be in a cozy and comfortable home office. Of course, each of us would like to work in a beautiful and comfortable home office, but most cannot afford it, so ergonomic and practical solution is ideal for you and me. This is a smart rack which includes a thoughtful work table with a retractable chair and shelving that performs the role of storage places for things, both work and home. nine0003

A workplace located in an empty corner will allow parents to keep an eye on for small children, they will always be in sight and under supervision. Besides such an addition to the living room will not let you miss a football match or latest important news.

7. Choose stylish lighting

Look for design solutions that do not require large financial and time investments? Why not spice up your living room with the smart use of additional lighting in the form of such a variant of the interior lamp as floor lamp. Recently interior lighting catalogs many interesting models appeared, such as floor lamps in loft style , in a modern style on a long curved leg that allows you to reach from the corner to the coffee table next to the sofa. It can also be used in the interior of the living room, stylish and trendy table lamps . Combined with the right angle table and flower arrangement, they may well be a beautiful addition living room.

8. Bright and thoughtful shelving

Another popular find, for those who want to make the most of all space with maximum benefit are thoughtful corner shelves and racks. They should be thoughtful and organically fit into the interior. For example, closed shelving will help you quickly put things in order in the living room, open opposite, will allow you to place interior items, such as family photos, souvenirs from trips, flower arrangements. Also pay attention to the design of the walls, large color panels, interior photos of the cities of the size. nine0003

If ready-made solutions do not suit you, now you can create your own fantasies with the help of companies manufacturing furniture for the specific needs of the customer. So you can not only decorate the living room, but also stand out with your bold solutions instead of standard ones.

9. Invite the surrounding landscape inside

Unfortunately, not every one of us can boast of a view from the window, but if this is still the case, then you should definitely use it. Do not let the living room hide in the dusk of closed curtains. Remember, in winter, do your best to fill the living room with sunlight. Instead of to close the corner, you can install a wide corner window, and if the view outside the window is divine, You will reward yourself with long hours of mental relaxation against the backdrop of the city landscape or contemplation park area next to the house. Living in the city, we need a continuous connection with nature and this solution is perfect for this. nine0003

10. Sculptural notes and green freshness

Sometimes it is much easier to come up with a decor idea for a living room than for a kitchen or bedroom. Simple sculptural additions, country-style accessories, stylish art installations or potted houseplants, all this instantly transforms the living room with ease. By the way, this will allow you to change the interior from time to time, change details will help you update the look and style of your living room. By the way You can change the interior depending on the change of season to give the living room a modern or trendy look. current season look and style. nine0003

Comfort and Light for Your Home

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Living Room Interior Ideas | Blog Angstrem 0 Comments

Professional designers argue that interior ideas must follow global trends, while being distinguished by conciseness, simplicity and originality in the execution of details.

All of them are used to create a favorable and comfortable environment, because people prefer to spend most of their free time in the living room.

Decor and colors

There is no universal advice on what color scheme will be optimal in the interior, everyone is guided by their own preferences. To create a harmonious living room interior design, professionals recommend using the 60-30-10 rule. If the main color in the room should be about 60%, then the additional one should be 30%, and 10% is a bright accent. Naturally, all three shades should be well combined. nine0003

The decor should organically fit into the space and be something more useful than just decoration. Paintings or photographs are traditionally considered such organic decor. Depending on the image, they easily fit into any design solution.

Floor vases and figurines look interesting in spacious living rooms, but in small rooms they will look too cumbersome, and they will also take up free space, which is already not enough. nine0003

Lighting

Proper placement of light sources reveals the stylistic ideas of the designer. The light in the interior of the living room not only affects the mood and emotions, but also gives the surrounding space different shades. The chandelier in the center of the ceiling continues to be a classic option. Correlating its dimensions with the dimensions of the room will create the desired effect. In addition to the chandelier, you can provide a wall lamp or lighting near the TV, it will be useful in the evening. In modern interiors, large chandeliers are increasingly complemented by spotlights or LED lighting around the perimeter of the ceiling. Lighting becomes more uniform and easily creates the right mood. Illumination built into individual pieces of furniture creates light accents that complement the interior. nine0003

The role of furniture in the interior

You should not clutter up the space with a lot of furniture, it is much easier to create coziness in a large and spacious room or in one that seems visually spacious. The dimensions of the furniture are always commensurate with the area of the living room, and individual items in it create a common composition, harmonizing in style and color.

It makes sense to look at photos of living rooms with unusual design ideas in the catalogs of professional designers, and then, using them as a source of inspiration, create your own original concept. nine0003

Interior style

The choice of style is an important stage that determines the design of the whole house. To choose the perfect option, you need to take into account the area, the shape of the living room, the height of the ceiling and the layout.

1. Classic style

Classics in the form that existed 100-200 years ago are practically never found today: it is difficult to implement such a design, and besides, it is impractical for the dynamics of modernity. The emphasis in the classic interior adapted to the 21st century is on the quality of each piece of furniture, the nobility of decor and accessories, and the feeling of freedom. The classic is suitable for large square or rectangular living rooms with high ceilings. Or for apartments with an open modern layout, in which one room flows freely into another. A sofa and two or three armchairs are located in the center of the living room, around a low coffee (tea) table. The attribute of the classics is a fireplace, possibly decorative. nine0003

2. Minimalist style

The design of the living room in the style of minimalism is practical, with a minimum of decorativeness. The color scheme includes only neutral natural colors. Simple lines and shapes are complemented by glass planes and metal frames. But at the same time, the interior itself does not become strict or inhospitable, they only shade the natural texture of the materials. nine0003

3. Scandinavian style

A variation of minimalism with a "northern touch", similar to a stylized Swedish house. It is always comfortable here, especially on long cold winter evenings. The main color choice is white. It does not look cold and medically sterile, as it is diluted with natural wood products, fluffy carpets, and the cozy fire of a fireplace.

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Interior color

White color is considered universal in color, but not always practical. Often it serves only as a backdrop for brighter details and the basis for the Scandinavian style, it is widely used in the Provence style.

Semitones are well suited for the living room - shades of one selected color. A room decorated with several shades at once looks dynamic and light. An interesting and original design can be obtained with contrasting colors. For example, highlight a bright shade against a background of calmer, muted, neutral ones. nine0003

Pastel hues are used to create a calm atmosphere and encourage color variation without adding overly bright tones that can be annoying.

Living room trim

Each style in interior design has its own design requirements, but there are rules and techniques that can always be used in any style, getting attractive solutions.

Floor coverings. They can be anything to the taste of the owners, but at the same time they must be resistant to impact and easily withstand standard types of cleaning and washing. In an open-plan apartment, when the living room forms a single space with the kitchen, it is advisable to select flooring options that are simultaneously suitable for both functional areas. Carpets and rugs, almost always used in the recreation area, easily compensate for occasional design flaws. nine0003

Wall decoration. It has special requirements. The most spectacular filling of space is obtained against the background of plain surfaces. Decorative plaster is able to imitate the complex textures of natural materials, and wall panels give individuality to the design.

The subject content is not set strictly, but is determined by the needs of the residents and the chosen style, but in the general case, the design includes a sofa, two or more chairs, a table, a wall or a rack. These items form a single semantic center, and other items only complement it. Does the apartment have an open floor plan? The list of furniture will include a dining table and chairs, but then functional zoning becomes necessary. nine0003

In a classic interior, glass transparent facades, milled doors, sofas of complex shapes on graceful legs are preferable.

The facades, designed in the style of minimalism, are smooth and even. An interesting idea for the interior of the living room is modular furniture, each section of which is autonomous.

Small living room interior design

There are tricks to visually expand the space or make it deeper. nine0003

1. So, for example, a light palette will fill the living room with light and make its borders blurry.
2. Heavy curtains and draperies reduce free space, so in small rooms it is better to use lightweight structures or functional blinds.
3. It is more appropriate to replace bulky heavy cabinets with open shelving. You should not use a lot of decorative elements in the interior of the living room. They should be abandoned for the sake of free space and a feeling of more spaciousness. nine0003

Tips & Conclusions

The living room is a space in which experiments with light are appropriate. Here you can use bright color accents and non-standard combinations.

Modern fashion trends are panoramic windows, surfaces that reflect light, large mirrors, wallpaper with a 3D effect.