Should you add an extra room to your house?

Have you heard that extra bedrooms can add value to your home? Let's talk about how dividing walls might help you do just that!

When you have enough space, dividing walls let you add more rooms without spending lots of money on big projects like loft conversions. We'll show you how this simple home improvement can boost your property value and make buyers fall in love with your home.

How much does an extra bedroom add to home value?

Adding an extra bedroom to your home can boost its value significantly. Most homeowners see a 5-15% increase in their property's worth after adding a bedroom. This value jump happens because buyers often search specifically for homes with more bedrooms to fit their families or lifestyle needs.

The exact amount varies based on your location, the quality of the addition, and your local housing market.

How to add a room to your house

When adding a room to your house, there are a number of things to consider.

Plan your layout first

Adding more rooms can increase your home's sale price. But did you know that bigger rooms can also attract buyers? You need to decide what's best for your situation - more rooms or larger spaces.

Think about light and space when you redesign your home. Buyers love bright, open homes and often avoid small, dark rooms.

Before you start creating an extra bedroom for your home:

• Talk to a local estate agent
• Check house prices in your area on websites like Zoopla and Rightmove
• See if homes with extra bedrooms actually sell for more money
• Ask a professional to look at your space and give advice

Make sure it makes sense

Don't build dividing walls if they won't work well in your home. Your new rooms should be easy to use and easy to reach.

For example, if you make two bedrooms out of one big room, but you can only get to one bedroom by walking through the other - that's not very useful! This might actually make buyers less interested in your home.

Always plan carefully first. It's okay to change your mind if the new layout won't work well.

Building your dividing walls

If you decide to add walls, be careful not to create tiny, useless spaces. Remember that bright, spacious rooms can be just as important to buyers as having extra bedrooms.

💡Smart tip: If you add dividing walls upstairs, think about making your ground floor open plan. You might be surprised at how big and airy your home feels!

Do you need planning permission?

One great thing about changing your home's inside is that you usually don't need planning permission or building regulations. This makes it faster and cheaper than building an extension.

But be careful! If you want to remove walls that hold up your house (structural walls), you might need approval, and it will cost much more. Ask a building surveyor or structural engineer for advice if you're making big changes to avoid expensive damage.

Types of dividing walls

Let's explore some popular types of dividing walls you might want to consider:

Stud walls

Stud walls are the most common dividing walls in modern homes. They use wooden or metal frames (called studs) that stand up like soldiers in a row. Builders cover these frames with drywall sheets to create smooth walls.

They're quick to build, don't cost too much money, and you can easily run electrical wires and pipes inside them! Plus, you can add insulation between the studs to keep noise from travelling between rooms.

Brick and block walls

Brick and block walls are the strong, sturdy members of the wall family. They take longer to build than stud walls but offer excellent soundproofing and fire resistance.

These solid walls support more weight, which makes them ideal for holding up heavy shelves or mounting TVs.

Glass partition walls

Glass partition walls bring light and openness while still dividing space. They use glass panels held in place by frames, creating bright, modern-looking rooms.

Glass walls work wonderfully in offices and modern homes where you want to keep spaces separate but still connected visually.

How much does it cost to build an interior wall?

The cost to build an interior wall typically ranges from £800 to £1,500 for a standard stud wall. This price includes materials like timber, drywall, and insulation, plus labour costs for installation and finishing.

The final price depends on several factors including the wall size, whether you need electrical outlets, the type of finish you want, and your location in the UK.

While installing the wall yourself can save money, hiring professionals means you can be confident it’s installed properly, and your new addition matches building regulations.

Try room dividers

Don't want to build actual walls? Room dividers can create separate spaces in your home without the cost of new walls. These simple changes add privacy and can transform how your home feels without spending as much as you would on loft or basement conversions.

For smaller spaces, try adding mirrors to make rooms look bigger and brighter. Depending on what you choose, dividers can make your home feel cozy and welcoming.

Tips for small spaces

If you don't have much space to work with, don't worry! There are still ways to make your home appeal to buyers:

• Use sliding doors instead of regular doors
• Add built-in storage to reduce clutter
• Install roof lights to bring in more sunshine

The bottom line

Dividing walls can help you create more rooms and potentially increase your home's value. Just make sure to keep the rest of your home bright and spacious to balance things out. With the right approach, your home can have everything buyers are looking for!