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Remodeling Design Dilemma Bedroom

Help! Can this loft be converted to a 4th bedroom?

curlygirlie1189

5 years ago

I am considering purchasing this home that has 3 bedrooms and a loft. I would want to convert the loft to a 4th bedroom - but does it look possible, or would the layout be too weird? The dimensions of the entire loft are 20x12. We just need a small bedroom though. I see a cold air return in the bottom corner, so not sure how that would play into things.

(First pic is view from the stairs...door to the left is another bedroom. Second pic is view from by the loft windows and pictures the master bedroom door and stairwell.)

Please advise!! Thank you!!

Featured Answer

Judy Mishkin

5 years ago

a floorplan will help, with all of the heating vents and returns... a new wall will require outlets on it. not sure of your market and how valuable a very small 4th bedroom would be. but what i've learned through a lot of houses its always cheaper to buy what you want than to buy what you almost want and then renovate. if you already owned this unit, perhaps adding a bedroom would be cheaper than moving. its unlikely its cheaper *in the end* than just buying a 4 bedroom unit.

Comments (8)

User
5 years ago
You can not have a bedroom that is entered from another bedroom. So unless you can also move the entry of that bedroom to a common hallway, no, you can not make that into a bedroom. And there are other requirements for a legal bedroom as well that will invite expense other than “just” putting up a wall.
curlygirlie1189
Original Author
5 years ago
Yes I realize it would be more than just putting up a wall, and that some type of hallway would have to be formed. My question is -- would that be POSSIBLE? I'm having trouble envisioning the layout of the hallway/bedroom.
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If we do this, we are going to stay there for at least 5 yrs or more, who knows... But since we are going to remodel kitchen/bathroom at the same time, so we of course will stay there for long. In order to make it a loft, I will have to break down one wall only (w/ the door and the electrical outlet/switch). So it will cost money to move the electrical outlet to the other wall. And since it is one wall, I don't think it is that hard to put it up again if the future owner doesn't like a loft, but again, I don't know how much it cost to build a wall, you know... I just don't want to create a mess and regret later... So I would like you opinion. And anyone who has a loft upstair, do you think it is useful? I am afraid that we make a loft, and still go downstair for activities :-(
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I like your loft and your plans for it BUT with the ladder to the loft in your bedroom would seem awkward to me. Is there any way you can close off the loft in your bedroom and put the ladder going up and railing to the loft in another room? Like opening up the end wall or something? If it must be like this, can you put the head of your bed the other way so that the foot of your bed can be seen when you stand looking down from the loft? I might be tempted to do away with the loft and make it attic storage again unless you can open it up from another room. Too bad to have a nice space go to waste though.
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Yes, septic systems are rated by the number of bedrooms, not number of bathrooms or number of people. That's how it is, you can't change that. The size of the septic tank is only one factor, the size of your leach field is the other factor and depending on your site and soil, it is the more expensive factor to upgrade, if they will allow you to do that. Your building site and size may play a role here. I can't see how you can get a permit for your new bedroom unless you make enough changes to one of your old bedrooms so it no longer meets your local definition of a bedroom, and I don't mean just moving in office furniture. I don't know where these people live who reply that it's not a problem, it would be a very big problem here on Cape Cod if you tried that. Talk to your building inspector for the most accurate information.
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I think you got better starting advice from the 2 nonPROS. The term gas chamber is so disgusting just ugh. Its on their wish list so obviously they want one, as as we debated before, contrary to your opinion, most home owners would like to have one. And Patricia, you offered nothing. If you cant or dont understand a pretty clear question, skip it and come back later. Edit: Also , dont post your entire floor plan (if you are set and ok with your floorplan) if you just want advice for your loft. There are a few people that will tear it apart in sn effort to save you from yourself.
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mama goose_gw zn6OH
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
What's the distance between the window wall and the bedroom door? If it's 10' or more, you should have space for a cozy room for a child:
If not that much space available, you can still work with built in storage:
ETA another route for the cold air return. Red lines represent full size platform bed:

(This is just for ideas--I'm guessing at existing windows and doors.)
curlygirlie1189 thanked mama goose_gw zn6OH
curlygirlie1189
Original Author
5 years ago
Wow! Thank you for those plans!! I believe there is only 8 ft of space between window and door. These look like some good options. I really appreciate your help/time!!
mama goose_gw zn6OH
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
You're welcome. In that case, I put the door at the end of the short hall, so that a dressing area is created. The red square represents a longer dresser, or a desk, if only a twin bed is necessary. If you need a full size bed, the red box could be a shallow bookshelf, to provide more floor space along with storage.
jeffreyd9999
5 years ago
How serious are you? If the location and everything else is what you want, then it's time to do some leg work.

The loft looks like a builder option. How new is this house? Your real estate agent can tell you the builder (if they can't, FIRE them).

1) The builder may still have sale/model brochures/floor plans for the house options they have built in the past. Visit a new development from the same builder, they tend to recycle house plans and you may find answers there.

2) You may find plans filed with the city or county for permitting.

3) Walk the neighborhood and knock on doors of the houses that are the same model. Talk to the owners or put up a notice at the mailboxes asking for information.

4) Have your real estate agent pull old listings for this neighborhood. Figure out which ones are your model (zillow, google street view...), and with 4 bedrooms etc. Contact those owners. In Colorado, there is a real estate website with current and old listings. I was able to get a virtual tour of my house from two sales before mine. Nothing ever disappears from the web...

5) Is here a basement and would that be a better place to "build" a bedroom?
latifolia
5 years ago
There could be other issues. Does the room meet code for fire detectors/sprinklers? Do you have a septic system? How many bedrooms was it designed to handle? There may be a reason the builder didn’t make this a four bedroom. Agree that you would be better off just buying a four bedroom.

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