How to add extra living space

[SevenTiers]

I am in rented property so I can't do anything structural, but I am wondering if there is any way to add extra living space to my rather small 3 bed semi.

I have an adult DD who, due to disabilities, is unlikely to be leaving home anytime soon, and as we currently only have one reception room, she spends most of her time in her bedroom, which I don't think is great for her mental health. I have a maximum budget of £3-4000 and am trying to identify a way of allowing DD her own living space.

At the moment I am thinking of a conservatory or summerhouse, but given that we are only likely to be staying her for 5 years maximum, I am unsure as to which would be the best value for money (I do have a budget for this, but it is a lot of money for me, money that I cant afford to just throw away ).

I think I am leaning towards a summer house, but I worry that it wouldn't be secure, we do have a south facing garden with 6ft fence all around. I then think a conservatory may be more secure, but would it be warm enough, and big enough to fit sofa, tv in etc.

Can anyone offer any opinions please?

I don't think you've got the budget for anything like a conservatory, plus I'm not sure it would be something your landlord would allow you to build.

What about something like this?

thetipicompany.com/tipis/baby-tipi/

You would be able to take it with you when you move house.

@NachoNachoMan it would be a second hand conservatory, I know my rather measly budget wouldn't stretch to new I rent from a HA so could possibly be allowed, though obviously will need to check.

Ooh that may be doable then. Yes I'd ask and then you can go from there, fingers crossed for you 😊

It's a good budget for something temporary. Have you looked at the garden office building /garden studio companies (there are a lot of them around nowadays, probably some good recommendations from other MNers).
You can have power run out to them, assuming there aren't physical difficulties that require chair access/loo access then she could have her own private space. The log cabin type garden buildings are probably worth looking at too.
If the highest point of the ridge/roof is 250cm or under, they don't require any kind of planning permission.

Many years ago my parents wanted to extend but didn’t have a huge budget, so went for a conservatory. It was a nice addition, but boy it was cold in the winters and always too warm in the summers. However we used it, during the winter months it meant we used at least one or 2 electric heaters as well as the radiator (was a large conservatory). The kitchen was moved into it, so it was an open plan kitchen with dinning area.
However I’m sure Others will have better suggestions.

Hoping it all goes to plan, and you get the extra space

That’s not enough money for a heated garden studio I’m sorry to say. At least not one with insulation and interior fittings that would make it usable. You need electricity for lighting, heating and then flooring isn’t cheap. Secondhand isn’t worth considering. It’s better to see how you can live together in one sitting room. It’s what most people have when adult children are at home. Could she be involved in making it more to her liking? Why won’t she use the room?

@PresentingPercy

That’s not enough money for a heated garden studio I’m sorry to say. At least not one with insulation and interior fittings that would make it usable. You need electricity for lighting, heating and then flooring isn’t cheap. Secondhand isn’t worth considering. It’s better to see how you can live together in one sitting room. It’s what most people have when adult children are at home. Could she be involved in making it more to her liking? Why won’t she use the room?

She has various disabilities including ASD, which means she finds social situations extremely stressful, which then triggers her epilepsy.

@NowellSingWe occasional chair use would be needed, and part of the reason for looking into this is that we only have a downstairs bathroom - she does have a chair commode in her room but understandably absolutely hates to use it. She needs to have easy access to a toilet on whatever floor she is.

@Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz that’s my fear. A family member has a conservatory and it is absolutely freezing in the winter.

Thanks all for your input, it’s greatly appreciated. I may have a word with her OT on her next visit in January to see if she has any suggestions. At the moment I’m currently eyeing up the small utility to see what I can do with that With landlords permission of course.

This is the floor plan, if it inspires anyone

Who else is using your lounge? I wouldn’t see using a room in your home as a social situation. The utility is presumably small so it would be a very small living space. You also have a dining kitchen so it’s not a badly sized space.

I think I would speak to the OT about how both of you can live in what you have been allocated. If there’s just two of you. It seems reasonable. Is there something you could add to make part of the living space feel like it’s her area? It’s not good that she stays in her bedroom but I think that needs to be addressed.

@PresentingPercy I have another younger DD. I know it must read like I’m being negative and looking for the impossible, but in reality it’s not just a case of DD wanting a room to herself. When she’s poorly (frequently) she can’t manage the stairs on her own, and as bathroom is downstairs, if she’s in bed then it’s a huge risk for her if she’s home on her own. Currently in that situation she knows she’s to stay downstairs, but she needs to be able to have room to sleep, which there isn’t at the moment.

I guess (drip feed sorry!) it’s not just living space she needs, it’s somewhere where she can sleep day/night when she’s unable to use the stairs.

That makes more sense. So would a bed fit in the utility if it was stripped out?

Or would you consider a bed settee?

@PresentingPercy I think a bed would fit, but a sofa bed definitely would. The room wouldn’t be huge but I don’t think it needs to be, it’s got to be better than being in a cramped bedroom most of the time.

Have you considered applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant?

Have you spoken to the HA about her/your family's needs?

Speak to the ot and social services about applying for funding to extend the home maybe adding on a bedroom behind the bathroom, you can then have her upstairs bedroom as a living space.
Usually the grants have to be paid back if you move within 10 years (may be out of date with this info). With it being a HA property they are more likely to agree to the building works.
You can then use your budget to decorate and furnish.

Do you have a garage?

@HardAsSnails

Have you considered applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant?

Have you spoken to the HA about her/your family's needs?

Discussions have just been started, but due to COVID everything is (understandably) going so slowly.

The OT is visiting in January so I guess I’ll discuss it more then. The money that we have for this is due to backdated disability benefit following an appeal, so I’m trying to show it’s been used wisely.

@AndWhat I know when my neighbour needed to sleep downstairs due to bathroom issues, they just put a bed in the sitting room, which was fine for her as she lived alone. I’m not sure they would allow knocking down walls etc, but I guess I can ask Plus we only plan to remain here until youngest finishes school, we are then moving away to be closer to family who can help out with care.

@missanony no garage.

@SevenTiers just wanted to add, I really hope you get the grant, then as other posters have said, the money can be used for furnishing etc.
Hope it’s all approved soon, it’ll mean a nicer room rather than trying to squeeze around and making space

Thanks @Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

It's rented so no you won't be able to put a conservatory on it or make any significant changes to the layout

Summer house would be your best bet but unlikely you'd be able to take it with you in 5 years in which case you'd have lost your money

You'd be better off using the £3-4K to rent somewhere else which has more scope - ie upstairs bathroom

@SevenTiers

This is the floor plan, if it inspires anyone

Though not ideal, could you get room dividers and use the dining end of the kitchen area? Perhaps changing the table type so it could be used for occasions etc?

If you speak to the ot, you could also look into disability funds grant. However they may say its outside of their remit.

@ivfbeenbusy

It's rented so no you won't be able to put a conservatory on it or make any significant changes to the layout

Summer house would be your best bet but unlikely you'd be able to take it with you in 5 years in which case you'd have lost your money

If it's done by a DFG then adaptations/extensions etc can be and have been done to rented properties.

OP Since it's HA go with speaking to the OT, the HA and looking at the Disabilities Grant.

Don't spend money on something like a conservatory that you won't get back, or a summer house which you can't take away with you. Both need loads of heating.

I'd be tempted by the sofa bed option, maybe with a screen. But other DD would have to have the use of the other bedroom as you might for a sitting room/work space.

Could you swap her bedroom for the living room? If the living room is big enough, maybe add a small settee so the rest of you can hang out with her and she can join you in the upstairs living room when she's well enough?