What Counts As A Bedroom?

The total number of bedrooms is an important selling feature of any home, so it's no wonder many homeowners are eager to transform extra rooms into bedrooms. But did you know there are actually legal definitions and coding requirements for bedrooms?

The number of bedrooms in your home can have a major impact on your home value and even your property taxes, so it's important to learn the rules on what rooms actually qualify. Remember, legal definitions can vary across states and municipalities, so always be sure to check on the requirements in your specific area. Below are several common requirements used to determine if a room qualifies as a bedroom:

• Size Requirements
  The actual size requirements of a bedroom vary by location, but in many cases, the minimum requirement is between 70 and 80 square feet. If a room in your house is smaller than the minimum size requirement, you'll likely need to advertise it as a small office or closet. In addition to total square feet, your bedroom must also measure at least 7 feet horizontally.
  
  The height of the ceiling also matters — at least half of the ceiling must be higher than 7 feet. In other words, if your ceiling is slanted, which is common in lofts or attic spaces, make sure at least half of its area meets the minimum height requirement.
  
  
• Exit Points
  Requirements in many locations specify that a bedroom should have two points of exit. While two doors may qualify in some cases, many places require at least one exit point be a window or skylight. To qualify as a bedroom, there must be two ways in which a person can exit the room to ensure safety in the event of a fire.
  
  
• Window Size
  Many places have minimum size requirements for windows. A common rule is that the total glass area of the window be at least 8% of the floor. Windows also shouldn't be higher than 44 inches above the floor, and they must be at least 5.7 square feet to qualify.
  
  
• Heating And Cooling
  Common in areas that experience hot summers or cold winters are heating and cooling requirements. To qualify in certain areas, bedrooms must be temperature controlled. This is especially common for master bedrooms. In most cases, the heat source needs to come from an HVACV system or furnace (space heaters and fireplaces don't qualify).

Remember, buyers love to imagine what they can do with extra space, so if you have a room that doesn't qualify as a bedroom, you can always get away with advertising it as an office or nursery. Even if it's not technically a bedroom, extra rooms are always a good selling point.

Turning extra rooms into bedrooms can be beneficial for numerous reasons, but always be sure to make sure your space meets the legal requirements in your area before labeling it a bedroom.

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