Space is hard to come by and building additions to the home can be expensive and in some places building codes can be a burden. But the possibility of converting the house’s storage shed into an extra bedroom or a granny apartment can be a good solution for college graduates who don’t want to leave home or for grandmothers who don’t want to go to a nursing home. but they cannot live alone.
These rooms are added to the main house, but have their own amenities, such as a kitchen, living room, bathroom, and separate entrance. Although some would prefer a connecting door to the kitchen, more often than not, the entrance is separate. It can be connected to the main house or separated as a garden suite.
First of all, make a budget plan and then check out the shed. Make sure the structure of the shed is still strong and secure enough to make it a spare room. It should be wide enough to accommodate some furniture, such as a bed, a dresser, cabinets, a table and chairs, or some appliances, such as a television. Try to check for any possible mold, foundation, or ventilation issues and address them first. Disinfect and clean areas affected by mold.
Also check local building codes or zoning regulations before beginning construction work. Then decide how the furniture will be placed and add electrical outlets where they can be easily accessed. After submitting the necessary clearances, install electrical wiring for lights and outlets. The room must have at least one window to ventilate and allow the entry of natural light from outside.
Next, paint the walls or build a plaster wall to build a clean interior. Don’t use shades of gray as this will give you a shed or garage feel. Instead, use bright colors to bring a little life to the room. If necessary, install insulation to keep the inside temperature constant. Install a dehumidifier to prevent mold growth, as mold can deteriorate the walls in the future and make the room smell bad. Use a waterproof paint to prevent any deterioration where water may seep in.
Then check the floors. Get rid of dirty foundations or broken hardwood floors, as they could present problems down the line. Make sure they are free of damage, especially water damage, as this could weaken the foundation. Snap into tile or hardwood according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If hardwood floors are used, consider adding a rug to prevent premature wear on the wood. Seal all roof slots to prevent water leaks in the event of rain or snow.
If the beams or walls need to be renovated, precast concrete walls or custom frames are available from construction stores.
Then, finally, decorate it according to your taste or that of the person who will live inside it. Provide the bed, dressers, mirrors, nightstands. Then put up some curtains or drapes and some fancy lighting. Decorate the walls with framed pictures. Anyone who sleeps inside will never know that it used to be a shed and the old lawnmower used to stay there.