Bedroom Conversions – Closet Systems
Bedroom Conversions – Closet Systems
A bedroom is usually a private room, especially a mansion, home, villa, castle, resort, apartment, or condo where people sleep. Ordinary bedroom furniture includes a single bed, a dresser or chest of drawers, and a bedside table and dresser, which typically have side shelves. A bedroom may also contain a dressing mirror, nightstand, bookcase, or a combination of such furniture.
Each state in the United States has its own unique set of rules regarding what kinds of furniture and other features may be placed inside a bedroom or another room. In most cases, such laws regarding bedroom design and placement are referred to as “bedroom freedom” or “bedroom renter’s freedom.” To ensure that all of the desired functional qualities of any bedroom are met, it is necessary to adhere to whatever laws or regulations are in place regarding the international residential code.
Although each home is different, most include a general provision requiring that all windows in a bedroom be open to direct light and face at least 30 degrees toward the center of the room. In addition to this general provision, most bedrooms must also be equipped with at least one window facing the correct direction: a downward-sloping window with a flat top and a horizontal blank wall or curtain on each side. These requirements are typically referred to as “ventilation,” and it is of paramount importance that any window that faces an exterior wall should have proper ventilation and ailerons or other venting installed.
All of these measurements are important because airflow plays a vital role in providing comfort while sleeping. The general rule of thumb for determining the size of a bedroom and its overall ventilation is multiplying the square feet of a sleeping area by two. For example, a bedroom that measures five hundred square feet would need to have a ventilation system of one thousand square feet. Of course, the specific formula is up to the individual homeowner. Obviously, the smaller the sleeping area, the greater the space required for ventilation.
Naturally, there are several ways that people can increase the square feet of their bedrooms without installing an additional bedroom. For instance, by converting single-story houses into two-story dwellings, the amount of living space available increases dramatically. In some cases, two-story dormers may be sufficient. In other instances, additional floor space, especially from the second story (e.g., attic), can create more sleeping areas. This method, of course, requires that there is no adjacent sleeping area to be converted, as well.
Many people find it most advantageous to create two or more “private” bedrooms in their homes. Private bedrooms are convenient because of the additional space yet offer privacy that a public room usually does not. These private bedrooms, of course, must contain at least two bedrooms and bathrooms unless there are adjacent rooms to convert into guest bedrooms. This second set of bedrooms will need to be measured and provided with closet space if needed. The dimensions of these closet areas must be considered when calculating the number of square feet that each bedroom area will be required to measure.
Ventilation is another issue that comes up repeatedly, especially in master bedrooms and bathrooms that contain more than one bathroom. Many people are not aware of the importance of adequate ventilation in these types of rooms. Wet surfaces will quickly accumulate dust and become a breeding ground for mildew and mold. While it may be possible to install ventilation equipment inside the closet, it is usually not affordable. In many cases, closets will not be positioned to ventilate effectively through the door and thus will need to be supplemented with a closet fan.
Any newly converted closet must have the same floor plan as the existing bedroom. This will help ensure that there are no structural changes required once the closet is open and running. It also helps to ensure that there are no building or remodeling restrictions on the new location of the closet and may make a difference in the project’s final cost. A compelling new closet design can be implemented by following the proper measurements and planning that will enhance both safety and comfort while sleeping.
