Would splitting a bedroom in two add value?

[lovelyupnorth]

We moved into a 3 bedroom house last year.

We need to replace one of the bathrooms and are thinking at same time creating a 4th bedroom.

We could use some of the bathroom and some of Bedroom 2 to create a 4th bedroom.

This would give us

Bedroom 2 - 16ft by 8ft
Bathroom - 6ft by 6ft - room for toilet sink and bath. But as it stands no window

Bedroom 4 (new bedroom) 14ft by 10ft

We don't need a 4th bedroom but we do need to replace the bathroom - very old and has a leak - also has 2 sinks and a bidet we don't need.

Daughters room is massive at the minute.

Thoughts.

Yes I would definitely split that second large bedroom at least in half.

@PixellatedPixie do you mean the regulations for social housing whereby a bedroom for a child over 10 is supposed to be 70 sq ft?

Bear in mind in those cases (used to calculate overcrowding) then a 10 x 7 dining room or lounge would be considered useable as a bedroom instead. checkifyourhomeisovercrowdedby_law

As PP said, there are hundreds of thousands of 2 double bedroomed 1 box roomed houses in the UK which are totally legal and considered 3 beds on the private market.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/check_if_your_home_is_overcrowded_by_law

@JackieWeaverFever

I would 100% create a new bedroom it will add value if done correctly. Consider whether you are doing it for yourselves or to sell if the latter keep it good standard but cost efficient (big tiles vs small) and mass appeal.

We will be doing it to keep, so won't cut corners, but we need to do the bathroom room so was looking at it being one project Rather than doing the bathroom and leaving the one big room.

If you don't need the extra bedroom and you're not planning to sell (although if that's the case I'm not sure why the question is about adding value), I'd leave the layout as is tbh. I'd prefer a more spacious bathroom over an extra bedroom that i don't actually need.

@Olga83

If you don't need the extra bedroom and you're not planning to sell (although if that's the case I'm not sure why the question is about adding value), I'd leave the layout as is tbh. I'd prefer a more spacious bathroom over an extra bedroom that i don't actually need.

It's more we need to do the bathroom And we think it makes sense to split the bedroom when we've got them in anyway.

Rather than an instant desire to move. Just thinking long term and not double spending the money.

I agree with @cowprintsocks as well; just lose the cupboards and have two smaller rectangular rooms. 10x8 feet is fine for a smallest bedroom, especially if it’s for a child or use as a spare room.

Definitely do it!

I think a third bedroom upstairs (4 total) will definitely add value - you have enough bath/shower rooms to support it and it means if you ever sell in future, you can also market your home more easily to buyers with younger children.

Looking at your layout I agree with posters who say to get rid of the cupboards and put the new doorway there, and leave the bathroom size as it is because of the window issue. 10ft by 8 ft is a pretty standard size for a third bedroom (should still easily fit a double bed plus bedside tables and wardrobe and probably a desk too), where as not having a window in the bathroom could put more people off.

With that floorplan and the dimensions you suggested it would work fine and would increase the value for sure.

I would consider a window in the bathroom.though for salability in future.

I'm another one voting for keeping your bathroom and splitting the room by losing the cupboards.

The bedroom my DS has grown up with is about 9x9 (excluding fitted wardrobe) and he's got a small (4ft) double, a chest of drawers and a desk. It's fine.

Yep knock out the cupboard to create a door way and put up a wall - leave the bathroom the size it is

Yes, I work in development, you will increase the value of the property by creating an extra bedroom. Bathrooms don't need windows,

I agree with knocking the cupboard out.

I recently turned our two bed flat into a three bed, stole space from my sons room and the hallway. Now we have two large singles/small doubles. I did put in fitted wardrobes, this made the space created more effective as you don’t need furniture beyond the bed and bedside tables.

@mamaoffourdc

Yep knock out the cupboard to create a door way and put up a wall - leave the bathroom the size it is

I agree with this

I would definitely do it.

Your downstairs layout would be ideal for someone like my dh who once restrictions are over will be working from home teaching music students. The downstairs bedroom would beceome a study and its own toilet would be a bonus so they didn't have to traipse through the house to the family one.

@ThePricklySheep

I wouldn’t buy a house with a bathroom with no window.

Don't ever buy a new build then , I have two bathrooms and a cloakroom without windows. I said the same thing, but actually modern extractor fans are ace and we just leave the door open too for a bit after showering / Bath. My en-suite is mini, so I think that's normal.

Ok, I won’t!

Firstly lots of en-suite in particular don’t have a window.
It is very common in new builds to not have windows in all or any bathrooms. Good extraction fans are okay.

Minimum room sizes apply to HMOs...houses of multiple occupation, where a number of unrelated individuals (or couples) rent just the room for private space and have communal facilities such as kitchens. These often lack living rooms and are effectively bed sits, so each room space has to provide enough space for sufficient furniture and living and more than just sleeping.

Loads of 3 or 4 bed houses have a tiny box room which is smaller than those regulations. Such houses can be sold and rented to individuals and to families who can choose to live in them as they like. There is nothing illegal about putting 3 children in a bedroom together or putting 2 sets of bunk beds in a smallish room. Lots of people live like this and it might not be ideal but there is no minimum space required per child or adult in family homes. Many councils now have minimum space standards for social housing being built which is a good thing. It’s one reasons why such properties are in big demand. Many builders will stick to a minimum expected size for a master bedroom, but notice most bedrooms are not described as single, double etc these days.

Op your plan seems okay to me. Given you’ve got lots of bathrooms having another bedroom seems useful and the most required thing.

I’d do as others have said, loose he cupboards keep the bathroom footprint and make a smaller 4th bedroom. My 4th bed is 9.5x7 foot and my son happily had it as a bedroom for 10 years, then it was a home office and now a single guest room.

16ft X 8ft would work as a small study for WFH - that might add appeal to a buyer but not necessarily value

I'd turn the loo round to back onto the bedroom so keeping the window in the bathroom. Remove the cupboard and stud out an equal area into the bathroom towards the loo gifting that double the cupboard space to the bedroom. iykwim.

If not consider how an extra window would look from the outside. Potentially not great in a barn conversation.

Personally I would use the other bathroom as the main bathroom by moving the door to the hallway, split the big room in two and have a small en-suite with shower in the larger of the two rooms.

@cowprintsocks

Someone will be able to sort this out. could you keep existing footprint of bathroom (with window) and lose the cupboards so you could split the rooms and have a door into the new bedroom?

Don’t know if you’re trying to get bath and shower in bathroom??

This was the floor plan I was thinking as well. Keep the bathroom as it is and get rid of the cupboards to make the entrance to the new bedroom. Much easier all round.

and a bathroom with no window (so natural light or natural ventilation) would put off alot of people I imagine

Standard in new builds. My ensuite has a window but the family bathroom does not, and its tiny. But they all seem to be now. It's not an issue.