Upstairs Layout - Is it possible to....

[BrightStar2021]

Hello Mumsnetters, I have seen this property on rightmove which is large 2 bed and I was wondering it would be possible to make upstairs a 3 bedroom without moving the stairs? From my very limited knowledge, it looks as though we would have to move the stairs.

Have you considered how the third bedroom would have access to a window as there is only one window in the large bedroom? In reality, I cannot see how you can divide the large bedroom even if you moved the stairs, they would both be rather small. If you have two children and don’t want them to share, could you consider dividing the bedroom with screens and bunk bed dividers, I’ve seen some very creative ways to arrange things to make two discrete spaces.

If money is no object, you could move the bathroom into an en-suite in the front bedroom, but you are limiting the sale in future. What about the loft ?

Thank you for your response, you have made some very useful points for me to consider. The idea of separation of the room is helpful.

I agree, regardless of the location of the stairs, that room is difficult to split. Agree about zoning it being a better option.

Or an expensive option - any scope to convert the loft?

That said, if you add the cost of a loft conversion on you can probably afford a 3 bedroom:

@DustyLee123 We do have a set budget I'm afraid. Thank you for your suggestions, if we choose to proceed with the viewing we can see whether a loft conversion is a viable option.

@PiggieWig you make a valid point about the cost of a loft conversion. The additional cost may be better spent on just purchasing a 3 bed property. Thanks

If you go on the relevant local council’s planning portal and put in the street address you should be able to see if anyone else (with the same type of house) has made any planning applications. These can be really useful to look at to give you an idea of what work can be done.

Thank you @boobybum I hadn't thought of this. I will check.

As previous posters suggested, I think you’d be better using movable partitions/clever arrangement of furniture rather than doing anything permanent. Otherwise I think you’d risk devaluing the house as it isn’t big enough for three decent sized rooms.

Definitely buy a 3 bedroom if you can use what you need to invest into the 2 bed. We did this by buying a rub down bungalow, lived in it 14 years before we converted it from 3 bed 1 bath to a 5 bed 4 bath home which was in the best schools location we could have stumbled on lol - good luck

I have been looking at a couple of YouTube channels which come up with good workable ideas for sharing bedrooms

You could do it, but you’d need to replace the one window to have separate windows in each room.

I wouldn't consider it. You'd be taking a good size two bed and make it a tiny three bed. It's, what, less than 800sqft?

Thank you @julia08 you are correct. It has 2 decent sized bedrooms, but would end up as 3 smaller rooms impacting resale value for us.

Thanks @CatsWhiskerz based on the responses so far I am leaning towards just getting a 3 bed. But I will check out the partition options.

@Soontobe60 I will show this to my husband. Thank you for taking the time to do the visual, this is very helpful.🤗

The smaller 2 bedroom is quite small if you were going to use it as a double room?

Yeah it's too small. Sorry.

If dividing you have to be left with one double room. The market for three singles would be pretty non existent.

Some sort of temporary divide if you have to at least wouldn't devalue it long term but you'd be mad to spend money carving it up.