Overall, Virginia is one of the best states to live in the U.S. It’s surrounded by beautiful scenery and rich history, not to mention that you can actually experience all four seasons in this state with it being centrally located on the east coast.
Virginia is a pretty cozy state when put into these terms, so you’re going to want to make sure that you also have a cozy place in your home to compliment the outdoors. Here are four places in your Virginia home to create a cozy space.
#1: Attic
Converting your unfinished attic into a finished, cozy loft can be just what you need to create a cozy space in your home. Both lofts and attics are the rooms directly under your roof in your home, but a finished attic is more of a boxed space, where a finished loft embraces the sloping of the roof. An attic to loft conversion is pretty simple in most cases, though it still requires building permits and professional contractors.
A small attic may be able to be converted into a loft that’s used as a cozy reading nook where you can place a small bookshelf, blankets, and a few bean bag chairs. Larger attics can be converted into entire living spaces— which is great is you have guests staying over, and having this extra space will also increase your property value.
#2: Basement
Finishing your basement (if you have one) is another way to create extra cozy space and increase your property value at the same time. The possibilities are endless when it comes to deciding on what kind of space you can create in your basement. Again, you can create an entire living space if your basement is large enough, you can create a cozy playroom for your kids, you can create a mancave/game room, or you can make this into a cozy home library.
Like your attic, a basement conversion will also require some building permits and is best done by a professional. They’ll know how to properly insulate your walls and can take care of all of the plumbing and electrical aspects that go into finishing a basement. Professionals will also make sure the job is done correctly, as a botched home renovation can actually lower property value.
#3: Front Porch/Sunroom
Moving to the outside of your home, you can bring the coziness from the interior to the exterior by transforming your front porch into an additional cozy space. You can bring backyard patio furniture to the front (patio furniture can withstand the weather elements better than regular furniture), or you can even have your porch closed in as a screen or glass porch.
Closing in your porch converts it into a sunroom, where you can combine all the cozy vibes of both indoors and outdoors. With a sunroom, you’re not limited to patio furniture— which isn’t the coziest type of furniture. Use regular, indoor furniture to create a cozy sunroom. Now you can make this a true extension of your home and turn it into a relaxation area.
#4: Patio
You may think that it’ll be hard to convert a patio into a cozy space— especially since patio furniture isn’t always the coziest— but it can be done with a pavilion with timber framing. This outdoor covering is perfect for protecting your patio from the elements, such as excessive heat in the summer, snow in the winter, and rain— all of which Northern Virginia sees. A pavilion also adds a more finished look to your backyard.
Your pavilion can house your entire patio, including chairs, tables, a fire pit, and maybe even a complete outdoor kitchen. Enjoy large family gatherings or larger, more intimate ones in the comfort of your own backyard while looking as professional as a recreation center. Your pavilion can also be used for countless other activities, such as birthday parties, weddings, and baby showers.
Final Thoughts
Although Virginia building code laws allow for most of these renovations, it’s still important to check with your city/county government for more specific information. Also, keep in mind that these conversions require the help of professionals— meaning that these aren’t some quick D.I.Y. projects.
So whatever rooms or spaces you have in your home, try one or more of these ideas for creating an extra cozy space in your home. If you can, try all four so that everyone in your home can have a separate or shared cozy space to retreat to.
