| After several years in the same home it’s quite | | | | conservatory can be a great choice – especially if |
| common for people to feel that they’re starting to | | | | there’s a sunny garden to make the most of. It |
| ‘outgrow’ it – this can be triggered by the | | | | doesn’t even need to be warm outside if the |
| arrival of a new child or partner, or a change in the | | | | conservatory is well-insulated with cosy furnishings. |
| needs of the homeowners. For instance, it can be | | | | This can make a beautiful dining room, playroom for |
| beneficial to have an extra room as a study to work | | | | children, or a studio for art and crafts, as again |
| from home, or as a hobby room if there’s a | | | | there’ll be good natural light during the day. Many |
| budding artist or musician in the family. Alternatively, a | | | | people choose to have a conservatory to provide a |
| new bedroom can be useful for guests, or let out to a | | | | welcoming, relaxing space for parties or just to chill out |
| lodger which will bring extra cash into the household. | | | | – all it needs is a couple of sofas and a good sound |
| Loft conversions, extensions and conservatories are | | | | system. It’s also a good choice for gardeners, as |
| some popular ways to improve a property and create | | | | delicate plants can be sheltered indoors but still benefit |
| space without moving house or drastically altering | | | | from the sunlight. |
| existing rooms. | | | | A third option, which can add almost any amount of |
| Lofts or attics are typically used for long-term storage, | | | | space to improve an existing room - or to create a |
| or even left to stand empty, in many houses. It’s a | | | | new one - is to undertake an extension. Naturally, this |
| waste of valuable space as a loft conversion can add | | | | is only suitable for those who have unused land in a |
| several rooms to the home - often with great natural | | | | garden or driveway, and it’s not always simple, as |
| lighting from skylights or windows that are unshaded | | | | surveyors, architects and planning permission will be |
| by nearby buildings. Plenty of light makes loft rooms | | | | required. However, the actual building work can be |
| ideal for a home office, or there’s the possibility of | | | | quite quick and the cost of ‘upgrading’ is often |
| creating a small ‘studio flat’ with a large | | | | much less than that of moving to a larger home. |
| bedroom/sitting-room and ensuite bathroom; even a | | | | Any of these home improvements will undoubtedly |
| kitchenette if the space is available. | | | | add value to the house and as such, can be viewed |
| This may be the perfect place for teenagers craving | | | | as sound investments for the future as well as helpful |
| independence, and would be great for a lodger once | | | | in the short term for the current residents. They can |
| they eventually do leave the nest. Because a loft | | | | also be surprisingly affordable, especially when |
| conversion essentially takes advantage of unused | | | | compared to the costs of moving out and buying a |
| space, there’s little impact on the existing rooms in | | | | new home in the current market – and a range of |
| the house, but do bear in mind that a staircase usually | | | | secured loans is easily available to all homeowners, |
| needs to be added if the loft is to be used every day! | | | | which can help to spread the cost of the work over |
| If another bedroom isn’t needed and you’re just | | | | an agreed repayment period. |
| looking for a little more living space downstairs, a | | | | |