Three Benefits of Having a Bedroom in the Basement
While it may not make sense to put your master bedroom in the basement, a dedicated sleeping space on the lowest level of your home can be a great idea. Whether it’s for guests or your teenager, a basement bedroom offers many benefits and advantages.
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Benefits of Having a Bedroom Basement
Adding a basement bedroom to your home can require a fair amount of work, but the new space can provide a number of benefits, from increasing your living space to adding room for guests, that make the whole process worth it.
1. More living space
If you’re building the basement bedroom for your teen, then one of the main benefits of this setup is that he or she will have more space to spread out. If they need a bigger bed or more storage for their clothes or personal items, including athletic gear or musical instruments, this new space can be the perfect spot for it.
2. Increase your home’s value
One of the main reasons to add another bedroom is to increase your home’s value. Building a new bedroom in your basement can take your two-bed, two-bath home and turn it into a three-bed, two-bath home. If and when you put your house on the market, adding another bathroom in the basement could put your property over the top in terms of appeal and profitability.
3. Privacy both now and later
Privacy is a big benefit of having an extra bedroom in the basement. Instead of feeling like he or she is living on top of everyone else, your child will have his or her own space where they can retreat and be alone for a while.
4. Room for guests
Whether it’s a grandparent visiting for the holidays, a college student back for a few weeks, or just a long-term houseguest who needs their own space, a basement bedroom is a great option that will offer plenty of privacy and the feel of a separate living space that isn’t in the main traffic areas of the house.
If you have a college-aged child who needs to move back in for the summer, or you have long-term houseguests who need a place to stay for a few months, the basement bedroom will be a great option. Your child won’t have to move back into his or her childhood bedroom, and your houseguest will be able to feel more at home, rather than feeling like he or she is intruding.
Things to consider when looking to add a basement bedroom
When looking to add a basement bedroom to your home, there are several things you’ll need to consider, including safety, cost, and the layout of your basement.
1. Safety
Keep in mind that a basement bedroom will need to meet basic safety standards, which you’ll want to take into account when remodeling. Typically, a basement bedroom will need to have a door and an emergency exit, usually a window that an adult can easily exit through — this is what’s known as an egress window.
2. Building codes
There are other important building codes your basement bedroom will need to comply with as well. These will vary by region, so it’s a good idea to check the code and permit requirements where you’re living before you start remodeling.
Usually, your basement bedroom will need to have the following features to be counted as a real bedroom:
- 70 square feet of floor space.
- 7-foot tall ceilings.
- A window or windows that meet local building codes.
- Heating and ventilation.
- A closet.
- Finished features.
3. Layout of basement
It’s important to think about the layout of your basement and how you’ll situate your basement bedroom to make the remodel as simple and pain-free as possible. Placing the bedroom in a location that meets all necessary parts of the building code is the best thing you can do. At the same time, think about where the bedroom will get the most light and other aesthetic factors influenced by the layout.
4. Costs of building and furnishing a new room
Material, construction, and furnishing costs can quickly add up, so it’s a good idea to think ahead about how you’ll manage them. It’s good to keep in mind that a basement bedroom will only add around 70% of the value of an above ground bedroom to your home. For this reason, many people choose to build their basement bedrooms with low to mid-range finishes to save some money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? We’ve brought together answers to a few frequently asked questions about basement bedrooms below.
How much value does a basement bedroom add?
Estimates vary, and a basement bedroom won’t add as much value as an above ground bedroom, but in general you can expect a basement bedroom to yield a 70% return on investment.
Is it safe to have bedrooms in the basement?
Yes, as long as they comply with the proper building codes. Usually, a basement bedroom will need to have a door and an emergency exit, which may be a door to the outside or a properly-sized window.
What makes a basement room a bedroom?
Specific requirements will often depend on the particular region where you live, but in general, any room that features a closet or is connected to a bathroom will be considered a bedroom.
Do basement bedrooms need a window?
The answer is usually yes. A basement bedroom is almost always required to have an egress window. Other habitable spaces in a basement, including family rooms and living rooms, will also need an egress window if they don’t already have a door.
Does a finished basement count as square footage?
A finished basement will not add to the home’s total square footage, simply because of its location. However it can still add to your home’s value, and won’t add to your yearly tax bill.
If you’re thinking about adding a basement bedroom to your home, and you need somewhere to store those boxes and tubs that are in the way, then come to EZ Storage® today. We strive to provide the very best self-storage in Philadelphia, and you can find the unit you need at a price that fits your budget.
We look forward to meeting you!
