Why is a bonus room not a bedroom?

While bonus rooms, offices and dens do all offer extra space within the home, they do not offer the same features as bedrooms, and thus cannot be classified as one. The main difference between a bedroom and a den, office or bonus room is the lack of a closet.

Can a bonus room be used as a bedroom?

A bonus room is a room in a house that is not a kitchen, bathroom, family room, hallway, or closet — but for one or more particular reasons, it doesn't qualify as a bedroom, either. This room might show up over a garage, for example, or represent attic or basement space in some states.

Why do they call it a bonus room?

The term bonus room is mainly used in the United States. One early use is from The New York Times in 1991, which wrote that "A recent solution to the problem of noisy teen-agers is the enticingly titled bonus room, which is a spare room on the bedroom floor that can be used as a den, television room or guest room."

What makes a room count as a bedroom?

For a room to count as a true bedroom, it must have at least 70 square feet of floor space with a minimum of 7 feet in one direction. If a room is intended for multiple occupants, there should be a minimum of 50 square feet per person.

Is a bonus room included in square footage of a house?

Whether they are finished or not, they cannot be included in the square footage of the main residence [source: Boddy]. They should be reported as "bonus rooms." However, if you have a finished area above an attached garage and you can get to it without leaving the house, go ahead and count it.

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Do bonus rooms add value?

On average, you can expect your bonus room to add anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 in monetary value to your home, although it is very hard to put an official number on this quality since the market is always changing and every home is different.

What do you call a room above a garage?

A garage apartment is an apartment on top of the garage of a house. A garage apartment is an accessory dwelling unit that is smaller than the main dwelling on a lot or parcel of land.

When can a loft room be called a bedroom?

But when it comes to being a bedroom, a converted loft room cannot be called a bedroom merely because it offers enough space to fit a bed in, or because one has been put in there: a loft needs to be converted for the purposes of being a sleeping area, and in accordance with building regulations, in order to be called a ...

Can you have a bedroom without a closet?

In California, the residential code does not require that a bedroom have a closet. Most buyers prefer that a bedroom has a closet available. However, depending on where you live and your building codes and zoning laws, it may not be required.

Can you have a bedroom without a window?

Answer: If the “bedroom” does not have a window, it cannot be considered a bedroom. Well, technically a bedroom should have at least two methods of egress, which means in addition to the interior door it must have either a properly-sized window or a second door to the exterior.

Can you put a bathroom in a bonus room?

Adding a bathroom to a bonus room carries a cost but offers an opportunity to add comfort and luxury to your home while increasing its value. The size of the bathroom should be in proportion to, not overpowering to or detracting from the character of the original room.

Does a bonus room have a closet?

While it might sound like some game show feature where you pick the correct door to open to win an exciting prize, a bonus room is actually best defined by what it is not: It typically does not have a closet. It might not even have a door, windows, or all four walls.

Can a flex room be a bedroom?

An Extra Living Room or Bedroom

Flex rooms can also help ease the stress of having several people living under your roof. Millennials who are living with extra roommates can use the space as a bedroom.

What is a den vs bedroom?

A den usually does not have windows whereas a bedroom typically has at least one window. If the room does not have a window, it cannot be considered a bedroom, and is probably a den.

What do you do with a room in the middle of the house?

How many stories is a house with a bonus room?

Many house plans with bonus rooms are 1 Story House Plans or 1 1/2 Story House Plans to give you the best of both worlds: the ease and convenience of single-story living with the versatility of an extra storage space upstairs when you need it.

Is a room with a skylight considered a bedroom?

In order to be considered a bedroom, a room needs to have at least one window.

How much value does a bedroom add?

In most cases, an extra bedroom can add between $30,000 to $50,000 to the potential resale value of a house, depending on the location and the existing property value.

How do I make my basement bedroom legal?

You can use your basement as a bedroom, but you have to ensure that it complies with the proper building codes. Basement living spaces require an emergency exit and rescue openings, also known as an egress code.

How do I make my attic a legal bedroom?

Can I convert my attic into a bedroom?

When converting an attic to a living space, it must meet the same building requirements as the other rooms in your home. To meet most building codes your attic should: Have at least 7 feet of vertical clearance in the majority of the room, be a minimum of 7 feet wide and have at least 70 square feet of space available.

What does a room need to be considered a bedroom UK?

There's no legal definition for a bedroom in the UK. However, it's used to describe a room where someone sleeps and you'd find furniture such as a bed. According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), a fair indication of a bedroom is a space which can fit a small single bed and has a window.

What is a frog space in a house?

In real estate lingo, a FROG is a “Finished Room Over Garage.” These are extra spaces that can often be used as bonus rooms, play rooms, offices, home gyms, or studios. (If the room has a closet, it is considered a bedroom in the home listing.)

What is the frog room?

F.R.O.G. is an acronym for Finished Room Over Garage. These rooms are common in modern homes but present a unique. challenge when it comes to heating and cooling the room.

Why are bonus rooms over garage?

Look up (literally) and consider building a bonus room above the garage. Similar to finished attics and basement conversions, rooms above the garage offer privacy, much needed breathing room, and the additional square footage to create whatever space you've been dreaming of. Are you desperate for a larger home office?