5 min read 

Among the many efficient ways to invest in your property, considering an addition is one of the smartest  investments that increase livable square footage while boosting your home’s value.  From bump-outs to sunrooms, there are numerous home additions varying from grand to small projects  that can greatly maximize your home’s comfort, enhance your interior design, and optimize your floor  plan. 

Inspired by our projects at Joe Aoun Architecture, here are 6 home additions if you find yourself  outgrowing your current home.  

1. Bump-outs: more footage square 

We are starting off with a relatively easy home addition, a minor update that can have a major impact  on your home’s footprint. 

Bump-outs are technically extensions to your already existing interior space. This light costing home  addition literally bumps out of your interior wall. And while they may not seem significant when viewed 

from the outside, bump-outs can make your living space much wider inside. 

Add to that the fact that this feature does not add a significant cost to your home addition since it  requires neither new foundation work nor a new roof.  

As we already established, bump-outs are not full rooms, but rather extra spaces that can enhance an  existing room. So, how can they be used? Bump-outs are commonly used for allowing more space for a  kitchen island, extending the length of the kitchen counter, adding a window seat with bookshelves,  installing a bathtub in a bathroom that only has a shower, or adding a walk-in closet to a bedroom.  

Bump-outs remain a smart way to expand livable space without the full cost of a new foundation. Today, homeowners are also incorporating smart storage solutions and integrated lighting to maximize efficiency.

2. Closet and pantry additions  

Got an unused spare room you do not really know what to do with? You might be actually looking at  your new giant closet room.  

Turning extra bedrooms into luxury walk-in closets has been kind of the hype for quite a while now.  While it may require moving a wall and creating doorways between the master bedroom and the new  closet space, this home addition is still considered one of the smaller ways to add and enhance your  interior space. 

Moreover, it can be a really fun process; you can include furniture, mirrored walls, luxurious chandeliers,  and customized storage solutions for every type of clothing and accessory. 

Another small home addition involves adding a new pantry or closet to your existing floor plan. By  moving interior walls, building new ones, or adding bump-outs, this home addition can be accomplished  within your home’s original footprint. Your new kitchen pantry awaits! 

Villa VF302, Ville-Franche Sur Mer – France, by JA Architecture  

3. Bedroom and bathroom additions  

Bedroom and bathroom expansions are among the most valuable home additions, enhancing comfort and boosting property value. With the rise of multi-generational living and flexible home design, many homeowners are opting for secondary bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms to accommodate extended family, guests, or future resale potential.

A- When planning a bedroom addition, several areas within your home can be repurposed:

• Attic conversions create private, tucked-away retreats.
• Basements can transform into guest suites or rental spaces.
• Garage conversions offer a cost-effective way to expand living space.

Before starting, check local building codes. Most municipalities require a bedroom to have at least one interior door and an outdoor-facing window to serve as fire escape routes.

B- Bathrooms tend to be one of the most expensive home additions due to plumbing, electrical work, and premium materials like countertops and flooring. However, expanding an existing bathroom or adding a new one significantly enhances functionality, particularly for large families.

Smart bathroom additions include:

• Master ensuite expansions with dual sinks, walk-in showers, or soaking tubs.
• Half-bath conversions, transforming unused closets into compact powder rooms, perfect for guests.
• Jack-and-Jill bathrooms, connecting two bedrooms for shared but private access.

Villa SJ05, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – France, by JA Architecture

Whether it’s a new bedroom for a growing family or a stylish ensuite for added convenience, these additions maximize livability while increasing your home’s appeal in the real estate market.

4. Addition with glass walls  

This home addition must be the most refreshing yet. Not only does it enhance the aesthetic of your  home, but also improves your overall at-home experience.  

Whether your goal is to increase living space, invite the benefits of the outdoors in, or simply amplify the  look of your home, creating a folding glass wall system gives you great flexibility with your available  interior and exterior living space.  

Here are a few examples of unique home additions with moveable walls: 

• A cool indoor/outdoor bar to elevate your evenings of dining and entertaining • A non-traditional indoor/outdoor pool for the ultimate staycation destination all year long • An open-air spa room to elevate your at-home lifestyle 

• A bright and airy gym so you can exercise right from the comfort of your dwelling • A lavish wine cellar with a thermally efficient glass wall to protect your wine bottles without  requiring access to a basement or building an additional room 

• A music studio if you are a music enthusiast for practicing your best tunes without having to  worry about disturbing the neighbors. 

For the SJ34 residential project by Joe Aoun Architecture, the moving glass walls allow a seamless  transition between the indoors and outdoors, connecting the interior of the villa with the exterior  surroundings and giving the impression of a significantly extended living space.  

Villa SJ34, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – France, by JA Architecture

5. New mudroom 

Mudrooms or vestibules are common in rural areas and farmhouses, especially for homeowners living in  a wet, muddy, and snowy four-season region. 

This room is practically a designated area for homeowners and guests to take off their muddy shoes,  raincoats, hats, book bags, or ski equipment, thus keeping the entrance of your home neat and tidy. 

You do not need a whole lot of square footage to achieve a simple mudroom as a ten-foot by ten-foot  space is big enough for this purpose. 

Mudrooms usually include hooks for hanging up clothes and coats, a bin for wet umbrellas, and often a  bench for sitting while changing shoes. You could go the extra mile and add some cabinetry for extra  storage space, a washing machine, and a dryer; they will go perfectly in this area, that is if you have  enough space for them.  

6. Sunroom  

A sunroom is a great way to take your vacation home to the next level. This stunning addition not only  maximizes a beautiful view but also has low costs because the foundation is usually already there. You  can use the current roof and may only need to fill in walls between existing studs.  

Sunrooms are kind of an elevated version of a patio. They usually have a maximum flow of natural light  due to the high number of windows they include and can be heated during the colder season. Notice  how this living room from Joe Aoun Architecture’s VF302 project is beautifully lit and overlooks a  breathtaking view. It is truly a great place to socialize with family and friends and maybe even grow  plants!

Villa VF302, Ville-Franche Sur Mer – France, by JA Architecture 

Are you looking to start a home addition project? Get in touch with Joe Aoun Architecture’s  multidisciplinary team of experts and let us help turn your vision into a concrete reality.