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Property/DIY

Advice needed on converting one large bedroom into two bedrooms

20 replies

neighbourhoodwitch · 08/01/2015 14:18

Hi,

Our daughters share a very large room in our 2-bedroom flat. It is too expensive to move where we are, but I have an idea to split their bedroom into two rooms (thereby making the whole place a 3-bedroom flat), albeit the smaller one would have no window (unless I apply for planning permission & installing a window would be very expensive. The layout of the room means the 'other' room would keep 3 large bay windows).

My questions are:

  1. Do you think a room without a window would/ could work? It would be well lit, painted in a light colour and have glass in the door and above it.


  1. Would such work increase the value of the property? I imagine it would, but feel I need an expert opinion?


Many thanks in advance - this is all completely new to me!
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OnePlanOnHouzz · 08/01/2015 14:24

You need a window in a bedroom as a means of escape as well as for daylight - so I would strongly advise you don't split it until you have a window installed .

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neighbourhoodwitch · 08/01/2015 14:27

Thanks oneplan - I would 100% prefer to have a window tbh in any event. Thanks for your great advice; much appreciated.

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titchy · 08/01/2015 14:43

Agree - having no window would probably mean you couldn't legally call it a bedroom so it wouldn't increase the value, and it wouldn't get building reg approval. As you live in a flat you also need the permission of the freeholder.

Can you upload a floorplan - maybe someone can come up with a clever way of splitting it?

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neighbourhoodwitch · 08/01/2015 14:51

Yes, fair comment: it would probably only be called a box room or something.

We have bought the freehold, but would of course have to consult with upstairs (who have also bought their share of the freehold).

I do not have a floor plan but will see what I can do.

I feel I should get an architect in? and look at getting a window. I wish y0ou could see it - it's complicated!

Thank you so very much for your post.

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SoonToBeSix · 08/01/2015 15:00

You wouldn't need permission to partition the room with MDF however your dd would effectively be sleeping in a cupboard.

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neighbourhoodwitch · 08/01/2015 15:01

Yes but it would be a reasonable size but yes, I take your point!

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titchy · 08/01/2015 15:07

It wouldn't just be a bit of mdf down the middle though would it - she'd need a separate light and switch, a radiator, presumably a bit would be chopped off the room to make a hallway etc.

Agree an architect sounds sensible and might suggest something you hadn't thought of.

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neighbourhoodwitch · 08/01/2015 15:31

Absolutely & thanks. It'd need redecorating/ radiator/ electricity/ lighting but yes, I may well have missed something. I'll get someone qualified in. Thank you.

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Apatite1 · 08/01/2015 15:50

What is the size of the current room?

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 08/01/2015 15:52

Could you jig the layout round and turn the windowless room into a bathroom and the bathroom into a bedroom? Presuming it has a window.

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neighbourhoodwitch · 08/01/2015 16:02

Good idea & thanks but the current bathroom has no window :( All so frustrating/ weird layout, but loads of floorspace....

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 08/01/2015 16:31

Wish my big bedroom had an external wall for a window, ours is a terrace so I cant turn my large bay windowed bedroom into two beds fot dd and ds which meabs eventually we will need to move Sad

If you are going to do it, do it properly and sort the permission needed for the window.

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 08/01/2015 16:32

You should draw us a little map see if we can come up with something

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Bowlersarm · 08/01/2015 16:35

Could you not divide so each room gets part of the sash window?

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Floggingmolly · 08/01/2015 16:43

Why does one part of the room keep the windows?? Split it the other way so they get a window each; if the room is that big you can afford a corridor or whatever is currently impeding you from dividing it properly.

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Floggingmolly · 08/01/2015 16:43

preventing you...

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neighbourhoodwitch · 08/01/2015 16:56

Thanks for your messages.

It has 3 windows at angles (in a bay shape, if that makes sense). The 'other' bit (that could be its own room) is like a separate bit. It would look weird to split from the windows them I think.

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HalberHahn · 08/01/2015 17:10

I doubt it will add any value to your flat if you create a windowless walk in cupboard. It could not be classed as bedroom.

Without a floor plan or at least a bit more info we can only guess.

If you want to stay and are just doing it to meet your immediate needs, I would consider changing the window so the room can be split in the middle. Could be expensive, but I wouldn't put a child in a windowless room.

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neighbourhoodwitch · 08/01/2015 17:59

OK thanks Halber - I do agree with you.

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neighbourhoodwitch · 08/01/2015 18:00

Sorry hacked - I missed your messages. Many thanks for those.

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