home renovation project toronto

Home Addition Ideas for Your Bungalow Style Home

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Here in Toronto, every square foot of space is at a premium, homeowners are constantly seeking ways to maximize their living area. Bungalow style homes, with their unique charm and compact design, are a common sight in many Toronto neighborhoods. These homes, while rich in character, often leave homeowners yearning for more space.

Whether you’re welcoming a new member to the family, desire a larger kitchen for your culinary adventures, or need a dedicated home office for your remote work, you shouldn’t have to leave the home you love or the city you’re attached to.

Home additions can provide the extra square footage you need without requiring you to move to a new house. They offer a practical solution, allowing you to remain in your beloved bungalow while adapting it to suit your changing needs.

We will explore some home addition ideas that can transform your Toronto bungalow into a spacious and comfortable living space. Each idea is designed with the unique challenges and opportunities of Toronto’s cityscape in mind, ensuring that your home not only gains additional space but also enhances its value and aesthetic appeal.

Second Story Addition

Benefits of Second Story Addition

One of the most transformative home addition ideas is the second story addition. This involves adding a complete second floor to your bungalow, effectively doubling your living space. This type of addition is perfect for homeowners in Toronto who love their neighborhood and don’t want to move, but need more space. A second story can accommodate additional bedrooms, bathrooms, or even a luxurious master suite, providing you with the space you need without compromising on your home’s footprint.

Adding a second story addition can revolutionize a home. It opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to create the home of your dreams right where you are. Whether you’re looking to create a private sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of Toronto’s city life or need extra rooms for your growing family, a second story addition can make it happen.

Considerations for Second Story Addition

Before embarking on a second story addition, it’s crucial to consider several factors. The existing foundation and walls must be strong enough to support the additional weight. This is where our expertise at Novacon Construction comes in. We conduct a thorough assessment of your home’s structure to ensure it can safely accommodate a second story.

You’ll also need to check local zoning laws and HOA rules, as some areas in Toronto have height restrictions for residential buildings. Our team at Novacon is well-versed in Toronto’s building codes and regulations, ensuring your home addition adheres to all local requirements.

Also consider the impact on your home’s aesthetics. A well-designed second story addition should blend seamlessly with the rest of your home, enhancing its curb appeal. You want to ensure that your second story addition is both functional and beautiful.

Rear Addition

Advantages of Rear Addition

A rear addition involves extending the existing bungalow by adding extra rooms or expanding existing ones towards the rear of the house. This type of addition is ideal for creating a larger kitchen, adding a family room, or even installing a luxurious master suite. It’s a popular choice among Toronto homeowners due to its ability to add substantial living space without altering the home’s front facade or footprint.

This type of addition allows you to customize your living space to your specific needs, whether that’s a gourmet kitchen for the home chef, a spacious family room for quality time, or a master suite that serves as a private retreat.

Planning for Rear Addition

When planning a rear addition, consider how the new space will blend with the existing structure. The goal is to make the addition look like a natural extension of your home, not an afterthought. Our design build team at Novacon excels at creating seamless transitions between old and new, ensuring your rear addition enhances the overall aesthetics of your home.

Also, consider how the addition will affect your outdoor space. In Toronto’s urban environment, outdoor space is a precious commodity. You may need to relocate outdoor features like patios, decks, or gardens. You’ll want to consider the impact on both your indoor and outdoor living spaces to create a balanced, harmonious living environment.

Lastly, keep in mind that any home addition requires careful planning and adherence to local building codes. You want to ensure ensure that your rear addition is compliant with all regulations, providing you with peace of mind along with your new space.

Side Addition

Why Choose Side Addition

A side addition is another excellent way to expand your bungalow style home. Similar to a rear addition, a side addition extends the bungalow by adding rooms or expanding existing ones along the side of the house. This type of addition is perfect for homes on wider lots in Toronto and can be used to add a larger living room, a spacious kitchen, or an extra bedroom.

At Novacon Construction, we’ve seen how a well-executed side addition can significantly enhance a home’s functionality and aesthetic appeal. It allows you to create custom spaces tailored to your lifestyle, whether that’s a sun-filled living room for family gatherings, a state-of-the-art kitchen for your culinary pursuits, or a cozy bedroom for guests.

Things to Keep in Mind for Side Addition

When planning a side addition, it’s essential to consider the impact on your home’s exterior appearance. The addition should blend seamlessly with the rest of the house, maintaining the architectural integrity and charm of your bungalow. You want to enhance, rather than detract from, your home’s original character.

You’ll want to consider the effect on natural light in your home. You don’t want your new addition to block light to existing rooms. You want to maximize natural light, using strategic window placements and open floor plans to ensure your entire home stays bright and welcoming.

And as with any home addition, it’s crucial to adhere to local building codes and regulations. Our team at Novacon is well-versed in Toronto’s building codes, ensuring your side addition is compliant and built to the highest standards of safety and quality.

Garage Addition

Perks of Garage Addition

Adding a garage to the side or rear of the bungalow provides not just a covered parking space, but often includes additional storage areas as well. In a city like Toronto, where parking can be a challenge, a garage addition is not just a convenience but a significant enhancement to your property. Beyond the practical benefits, a garage addition can also increase the value of your home, making it a smart investment.

A well-designed garage can transform a property. It provides secure and convenient parking, reduces clutter in the home by offering extra storage, and can even offer additional living spaces if designed with a loft or an upstairs area.

Garage Addition Planning Tips

When planning a garage addition, several factors need to be considered. First, its size and location. Make sure it’s large enough to accommodate your vehicles and storage needs without overwhelming your property. The location should be convenient for parking and accessing your home, but also consider its impact on your home’s curb appeal.

A garage is not just a functional addition but an integral part of your home’s overall design. The design and materials should complement your home’s exterior, and the placement should be convenient without disrupting the flow of your outdoor space.

Also, consider the interior layout of your garage. If you need extra storage, plan for shelves or a loft. If you’re using it as a workshop, ensure there’s enough space for your tools and workbenches. At Novacon, we customize every garage addition to suit the specific needs and preferences of our clients, ensuring you get the most out of your new space.

A garage addition in Toronto must also comply with local building codes and regulations. With Novacon Construction, you can rest assured that every aspect of your garage addition, from design to construction, will be handled with professionalism and strict adherence to all regulatory requirements.

Sunroom Addition

The Charm of Sunroom Addition

A sunroom is a glass-enclosed space typically attached to the side or rear of the bungalow, allowing ample natural light and a connection with the outdoors. It’s the perfect spot for a reading nook, a mini greenhouse, or a relaxing lounge area. In a city like Toronto, where the weather can be unpredictable, a sunroom allows you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors all year round.

A well designed sunroom can transform your living space, providing a peaceful retreat where you can enjoy the sunlight and views of your garden, rain or shine.

Planning Your Sunroom Addition

When planning a sunroom addition, several factors need to be considered. First, its orientation. A south-facing sunroom will get the most light, but also the most heat, so consider your comfort and the intended use of the room.

Also, think about the type of glass to use. Energy-efficient glass can help maintain a comfortable temperature in the room, making your sunroom enjoyable even in Toronto’s cold winters or hot summers.  Energy-efficient materials are a good option to ensure your sunroom is comfortable and eco-friendly.

The design of your sunroom should also blend seamlessly with the rest of your home. A well designed sunroom will enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home, creating a space that feels like a natural extension of your living area.

When it comes to sunroom additions, it’s important to adhere to local building codes and regulations. At Novacon, we handle all the necessary permits and inspections, ensuring your sunroom addition is compliant and built to the highest standards.

In-law Suite Addition

Benefits of In-law Suite Addition

An in-law suite is a separate living space added to the bungalow, designed to accommodate elderly parents, guests, or provide rental income. It typically includes a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, and living area. In a city like Toronto, where housing prices are high and space is at a premium, an in-law suite can be a valuable addition to your home.

An in-law suite can enhance a home’s functionality and value. Whether you’re looking to provide a comfortable space for aging parents, want a private area for guests, or are considering earning extra income through rental, an in-law suite is a versatile solution.

Designing an In-law Suite Addition

When designing an in-law suite, several factors need to be considered. First and foremost, consider accessibility. The suite should be easy to navigate for individuals with mobility issues, with features like wide doorways, walk-in showers, and minimal stairs. At Novacon, we prioritize accessibility in our designs, ensuring that your in-law suite is comfortable and safe for all who use it.

Also, ensure the suite has enough privacy from the main house. While it’s important to have easy access between the main house and the suite, your guests or tenants will appreciate having a space they can call their own. You’ll want to balance accessibility with privacy, providing a separate entrance where possible.

And as with any home addition, it’s crucial to adhere to local building codes and regulations. In-law suites, in particular, may have specific requirements, especially if you plan to rent them out.

Basement Addition

Why Opt for Basement Addition

If your bungalow has an existing basement or crawl space, it can be finished or expanded to create additional living areas such as a recreation room, home theater, or home office. This is a cost-effective way to add square footage to your home, as it utilizes existing space within your home’s footprint. In a city like Toronto, where space is at a premium, a basement addition can significantly increase your home’s living area and value.

Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy home theater, a spacious playroom for the kids, or a quiet home office, a basement addition can make it a reality.

Basement Addition Design Ideas

When designing a basement addition, several factors need to be considered. First, consider lighting. Basements can be dark, so it’s essential to add sufficient lighting to create a bright, welcoming space. Use a combination of natural and artificial lighting solutions to ensure your basement is well-lit and inviting. Also, consider moisture control. Basements can be prone to dampness, so it’s crucial to ensure the space is waterproofed.

You’ll also want to think about the function of your basement addition. Do you need a guest suite, a home gym, or a family room? The function will guide the design, ensuring your new space meets your specific needs. At Novacon, we customize every basement addition to suit our clients’ lifestyles, creating spaces that are as unique as they are.

As with any home addition, it’s crucial to adhere to local building codes and regulations, ensuring your basement addition is compliant and built to the highest standards.

Dormer Addition

Advantages of Dormer Addition

Adding dormer windows to the roof of your bungalow increases the available headroom and natural light in an attic space, making it suitable for conversion into livable rooms. It’s a great way to add character and additional space to your home without altering its footprint. In a city like Toronto, where maximizing space is key, a dormer addition can be a game-changer.

New dormer additions can breathe new life into underutilized attic spaces. Whether you’re looking to create a cozy guest bedroom, a bright home office, or a creative studio, a dormer addition can provide the space and light you need.

Planning a Dormer Addition

When planning a dormer addition, several factors need to be considered. First, consider the style of your home. The dormer design should complement your home’s architecture, enhancing its charm and curb appeal. At Novacon, our design team is skilled at creating dormer additions that blend seamlessly with the existing structure, enhancing its character while providing functional living space.

Also, ensure the dormer doesn’t overpower the rest of your home’s facade. The size and placement of the dormer should be in proportion with the rest of your home. You ‘ll want dormer additions that are balanced and harmonious, enhancing your home’s aesthetic appeal.

Dormer additions may require structural modifications to your roof, so it’s essential to work with a professional contractor. At Novacon, we ensure every dormer addition we build in Toronto is compliant with local building codes, providing you with peace of mind along with your new space.

Learn more about your bungalow home addition options in Toronto

Home additions can transform your bungalow style home into a spacious and comfortable living space. Whether you opt for a second story, rear, side, garage, sunroom, in-law suite, basement, or dormer addition, careful planning and design can ensure the addition enhances your home’s functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Novacon Construction is a design build contractor in Toronto, specializing in creating beautiful home additions. Contact us today to learn more and to schedule a free consultation.

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