Do you find that certain rooms inside your home are slightly smaller than you need them to be? If so, you may want to build a bump-out addition.
House bump-outs can turn out to be the perfect additions to your home. Whenever you need that extra bit of space to make a room more comfortable or functional, you can build a bump-out to solve the problem.
In this article:
- What is a Bump-Out Addition
- Where Are Bump-Outs Typically Installed?
- The Pros and Cons of Bump-Outs
- How Much Will Building a Bump-Out Addition Cost?
What is a Bump Out Addition
You may sometimes hear people refer to bump-outs as home additions, which can be confusing. Technically, a bump out is a type of home addition.
The main characteristic that separates the bump-out from other types of home additions is its size. An addition may only introduce a few feet of additional square footage to your house, and it would still be considered a bump-out. Being small is seen as a desirable quality for some bump-out additions; because of the size, you will not need to add any foundation to accommodate it.
Typically, bump-outs also do not require homeowners to expand existing roofing or ductwork and should already receive more than enough heating or cooling from the system you have in place.
Although bump-outs are often small, you can also make them larger if you need a good supplemental space—some can extend 15 feet away from the original wall. However, building a bump-out that adds a lot of space will be more costly and labor-intensive. At that point, you may also need to add foundation, roofing, and ductwork.
Where Are Bump-Outs Typically Installed?
Most bump-outs can be installed anywhere that has an exterior wall—the wall that will open to create the space for the bump-out. Without that wall, you cannot construct the bump-out. That condition aside, you have free rein to choose where the bump-out will go. Still, you will most often see homeowners add it to an existing kitchen, bathroom, family/living room, or bedroom.
Adding a Bump-Out to Your Kitchen
The kitchen is not always a comfortable space. In addition to the warm temperatures, kitchens can also become uncomfortable due to how cramped they are. New space can be hard to come by inside the kitchen, especially with all the appliances and cabinets. Creating an open-concept kitchen is an option but you may not want to change your current layout. Those issues underscore why adding a bump-out to the kitchen is such a good idea.
A bump-out room addition frees up the space you need. With the additional space available, you can arrange the existing room better, make a cozy breakfast nook, or even make use of that space to build some new cabinets or construct a kitchen island.
Adding a Bump-Out to Your Bathroom
Early on, you may have been content with having a shower, sink, and toilet inside your bathroom. Now that you have more space, you may be interested in transforming your bathroom.
A bathtub, vanity, and sauna are just some of the fantastic new features that could be added with enough space from a bump-out addition. You can also use the extra space to update the fixtures you currently have installed, installing larger and more comfortable fixtures if you need them.
Adding a Bump-Out to Your Bedroom
Humans spend roughly a third of their time sleeping, making your bedroom the perfect place to add a bump-out addition. After installing it, you can use the space to create more storage space or even build that walk-in closet you have always wanted. You can also use the space provided by the bump out to create a lounge area (e.g. a window seat, or bay window). Add some cushions & some good lighting, and small bump-outs can also become your reading nook. Complete your dream master suite, all with the help of a little more space.
Adding a Bump-Out to Your Family Room
The family room often serves as the central hub for relaxation and entertainment in a home. However, as your family grows or your needs change, you might find that the existing space no longer accommodates everyone comfortably. This is where a bump-out can make a significant difference. By adding a bump-out to your family room, you can create additional space for a larger seating area, a dedicated game zone, or even a mini home theater setup.
The Pros and Cons of Bump-Outs
It can be difficult to decide if your home could use a bump-out addition. Even if you feel like your bathroom or kitchen could benefit from some additional space, you may be having a tough time justifying the construction.
When faced with a conundrum like that, it helps to gain some perspective. Here in this section, we are highlighting the pros and cons of building a house bump out. Check them out yourself and decide if the benefits are worth the drawbacks.
Pros
- Get the Exact Amount of Space You Need: Building a bump-out is a great idea if you want to add a precise amount of space, up to the square foot. Determine how much space you need and build accordingly.
- Avoid Disrupting Your Outdoor Landscape: Bump-outs add more space without taking over your yard. Preserve your outdoor landscape and architecture by building bump-outs instead of full-room additions or ADUs.
- Compatible Design: It is possible to add a bump-out without disrupting your existing décor. That is part of the reason why many homeowners prefer building bump-outs.
- More Affordable: ADUs provide a lot of space but they can be expensive to build. You can save more money by building a bump-out instead.
- Faster Construction: Building a bump-out addition is advisable if you need that extra space as soon as possible. Compared to other home additions, you can finish them relatively quickly because they are simpler projects.
Cons
- Limited Space: Do not expect to turn the bump-out space into a new living area. If your goal is to create a new room, you should consider a whole new addition or additional dwelling unit
- Cannot Be Built Anywhere You Like: You must choose the right spot for your bump-out. Choose a spot where you will not be interrupting any supply lines; otherwise, the project will be more expensive and complicated.
- Finishing Items Required: A bump-out can be integrated easily into your home décor but doing so requires using the right finishing items. Unless you use those items, the bump-out will appear detached from the rest of your home.
Essential Components
We have already mentioned previously that a bump-out does not need additional foundation. That is true, but only if you are building a small bump-out. If you want a large one that extends far from your wall, you may need to lay down a new foundation or modify the existing foundation. Roofing and ductwork typically are not required for small projects but that is not the case if you are building something big.
Connections
You should think carefully about the items you want to place within the bump-out space. Do you want to install a new countertop along with an outlet in that area? Are you interested in positioning the new bathtub there, so it is out of the way? It is up to you to decide which items go in the bump-out space but remember that additional installations may be required to accommodate certain features.
For example, you will need additional wiring to make the new outlet functional. You will also need to install new plumbing for the bathtub. Carefully plan how you will use the space if you do not want to take on those additional expenses.
Finishing Items
We already touched on this briefly, but you may need finishing items to complete the bump-out. Those finishing items will help it blend in with the rest of your home. Examples of finishing items you may need for the bump-out include floor tiles, wallpaper, paint, windows, and some siding.
Labor Requirements
Even though a bump out is a relatively small home addition, it is still not a project you should tackle solo. The project still requires completing numerous steps that may be unfamiliar to the family handyman. This specific building project will involve opening your wall, cantilevering your flooring, and installing temporary supports. If you are not going with cantilevered bump-outs, you need to create some new foundation.
There are also other steps you may need to complete, such as installing new roofing, pipes, and wiring. Leave the task of building the bump-out up to the professionals—Eco Minded Solutions specializes in whole-home remodeling and room additions.
Permits
Do not start working on your new bump-out without securing the relevant permits first. Failing to secure those permits and you may receive onerous fines. In some cases, they may tear it down because you built it without a permit. Our experts at Eco Minded Solutions secure permits faster because they are already familiar with the process.
