--- title: What’s the Right Size for a Home Addition? Not Too Big and Not Too Small description: The size of these Bethesda home additions was fixed by the planned use for the new space. Sometimes finding room for everything in a right-sized addition can be a real challenge image: https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/interior-view-of-yard.jpg --- [![Gilday](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/theme2021/images/gilday-logo-white.png) ](https://www.gilday.com/) [ 301.565.4600 ](tel:301.565.4600) - [About Us](https://www.gilday.com/about-gilday-renovations) - [About](https://www.gilday.com/about-gilday-renovations) - [Architects & Designers](https://www.gilday.com/architects-designers) - [Administration](https://www.gilday.com/administration) - [Production & Construction](https://www.gilday.com/production-team) - [Careers](https://www.gilday.com/careers) - [Awards](https://www.gilday.com/awards) - [What Our Clients Say](https://www.gilday.com/gilday-renovation-reviews) - [Press](https://www.gilday.com/press) - Service Area - [Arlington VA](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-arlington-va) - [Alexandria VA](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-alexandria-va) - [Bethesda MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-bethesda-md) - [Chevy Chase MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-chevy-chase-md) - [Cleveland Park DC](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-cleveland-park-dc) - [Kensington MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-kensington-md) - [McLean VA](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-mclean-va) - [Potomac MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-potomac-md) - [Rockville MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-rockville-md) - [Washington DC](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-washington-dc) - [Portfolio](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio) - [Additions](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#additions) - [Kitchens](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#kitchens) - [Baths](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#baths) - [Whole House Renovations](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#wholehouse) - Services - [Home Remodeling the Design Build Way](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-the-design-build-way) - [Renovation Architect Services](https://www.gilday.com/renovation-architect-services-gilday-renovations) - [Whole-Home Remodeling](https://www.gilday.com/whole-home-remodeling-gilday-renovations) - [Kitchen Remodeling](https://www.gilday.com/kitchen-remodeling-gilday-renovations) - [Bathroom Remodeling](https://www.gilday.com/bathroom-remodeling-gilday-renovations) - [Home Additions](https://www.gilday.com/home-additions-gilday-renovations) - [Pricing & Budgeting](https://www.gilday.com/how-to-budget-for-a-home-renovation-project) - [For Realtors - Pre-Purchase Evaluation](https://www.gilday.com/for-realtors-pre-purchase-evaluation) - [Resources](https://www.gilday.com/renovation-resource-center) - [Renovation Articles](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.gilday.com/contact) x Search the site # What’s the Right Size for a Home Addition? Not Too Big and Not Too Small [Kevin Gilday](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/author/kevin-gilday) ![What’s the Right Size for a Home Addition? Not Too Big and Not Too Small](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/interior-view-of-yard.jpg) ## A Bigger Home Addition Is Almost Never Better Ideally, the size of a home addition is driven by its planned use within limits of the property size. Families with young children tend to be averse to the idea of sacrificing their backyard play space--so we have to design from the inside out. The practicality of interior room dimensions will ultimately determine the footprint of the addition though we strive to limit backyard encroachment for these families. Sometimes finding room for everything can be a real challenge for the architectural designer of a renovation. To help you understand the concept of a “right-sized” [home addition](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-bethesda-md#home-addition-bethesda-md), we’ll walk through two examples of home addition projects in which limited yard space played a role in shaping the outcome. ## Example Project 1: When Bad Things Happen to Good Houses This otherwise gracious Bethesda, Maryland home had the kitchen extended by one of the previous owners. As with many older homes in the DC area, the original kitchen was very compact. It appears they hired a contractor to create more space in the kitchen. The kitchen addition bumped out the back of the house just enough to make room for a powder room and an informal dining area without changing the footprint of the original kitchen. ![Bethesda home addition before renovation](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-images/home-before-renovation.jpg?width=1200&name=home-before-renovation.jpg) *Exterior of BEFORE addition* In this case, the addition left functional limitations such as a low ceiling and poor yard access. So, our architectural designers and kitchen designers solved these issues while aiming for just the right sized home addition for this family’s needs. *![completed Bethesda MD kitchen addition](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-images/after-renovation.jpg?width=1200&name=after-renovation.jpg)* *Exterior after renovation* The newly completed kitchen addition is sized correctly (not too small– not too big). The floor plan is completely reconfigured and the addition only extends about four additional feet into the shallow backyard. Not only does it preserve play area for the kids, but the addition offers easy yard access, a more gracious entrance to the lower level, and a great view from tall kitchen windows and patio doors. ![home addition before-after-floor-plans](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-images/before-after-floor-plans.jpg?width=1200&name=before-after-floor-plans.jpg)*Before and after floor plans* Thanks to the interior space gained from the addition, the kitchen could be redesigned to address multiple issues. Take a look at the side by side before/after floor plans to see how the changes listed below transformed the space: 1. Relocate the powder room to an appropriately private area that is not adjacent to the kitchen table. 2. Reconfigure the kitchen to create fully functioning food prep, clean up and storage areas. 3. Provide adequate clearance around work areas, seating area and thoroughfares. 4. Improved view of and access to the yard–now framed by an attractive porch and French doors. 5. Provide a consistent ceiling height throughout the entire space ![interior-view-of-kitchen-addition](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-images/interior-view-of-yard.jpg?width=1200&name=interior-view-of-yard.jpg)*Kitchen interior view of yard* Gilday Renovations has decades of experience [designing and building home additions](https://www.gilday.com/home-addition-portfolio). We focus on connection between inside and outside spaces. We strive for a beautiful yet functional additions. We welcome tackling ambitious projects that make dramatic changes to a living space. Our creative, custom approach makes it possible for us to design “right-sized” home additions. ## Example Project 2: We Don’t Want a Big Addition Taking Up Our Yard! Another Bethesda Maryland kitchen addition and interior redesign resolved space problems beautifully without taking up any backyard space. The homeowners wanted a larger kitchen with a center island where their children could have a snack and do homework in the afternoons. They called us because all the other remodelers they’d spoken to said that the only way to enlarge the kitchen would be to build an addition. They didn’t want that. ## A Little Goes a Long Way Sometimes, gaining just 24 inches can transform a room.  See the box bay on the left side of the exterior below? That’s a kitchen addition.  Although the existing kitchen was spacious, placing an island in there would have been too much of a squeeze. But the idea of building a full-sized home addition to gain the needed space felt like overkill to the owners. ![exterior-after-renovation](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-images/exterior-after-renovation.jpg?width=1200&name=exterior-after-renovation.jpg)*This mini addition makes a huge difference inside the kitchen* Even a very cleverly designed addition off the back of the house would be problematic due to the patio landscaping and proximity to the pool (just out of frame left). A full sized home addition would also completely block daylight from reaching into the lower level bedroom. So that 24 inches mentioned earlier?  That is exactly how much room was needed to recess the sink run of kitchen cabinets away from the center of the room and install a kitchen center island with plenty of room on all sides for circulation.  ![interior of kitchen bump out addition](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-images/kitchen-interior.jpg?width=1200&name=kitchen-interior.jpg)*There is plenty of room for seating and circulation around the new kitchen island* Both of these home addition projects demonstrate how creative design contributes to the success of the project. Architectural designers and interior designers have the expertise to overcome the space limitations that prevent you from fully enjoying your home. To learn more about the home addition design-build process, download our eBook titled "[What Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Home Additions and Whole Home Remodeling](https://www.gilday.com/home-additions)" to get an in-depth understanding. If you are considering a home renovation, please feel free to [schedule a home renovation discovery session](https://www.gilday.com/schedule-your-home-addition-discovery-session) with Gilday today. [![home addition](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/hub_generated/resized/eb724356-42ee-47b2-8a2c-66ee28d702ef.png?width=500&height=200&name=eb724356-42ee-47b2-8a2c-66ee28d702ef.png)](https://www.gilday.com/cs/c/?cta_guid=54fa9ac1-70d6-4edd-8da6-138a31adc17c&signature=AAH58kE5R_fqCqoOp7xoMu9YE08RPjdgjA&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gilday.com%2Fdesign-build-dc-blog&portal_id=4060073&pageId=113883536804&placement_guid=759d781c-37f6-4d69-86b5-50f364f6f7ea&click=0dc65f5a-6909-4053-9503-cc71597b124c&redirect_url=APefjpEC4LqQYaLDmUutVtGPeHhN3bLkJHtMH2lLhPOrjP0pFjOlTI0UnkZBM1GHXfO4GhmT5q4okdA8FNZEdZJ04QX17jTeFVgvhSU7OTet4Wq7g3I5Z19xozOsVBoUP9TraXcorQqC0GGs_9-CJsSIRYGaDwn85d4NOJ7szY2y3x8usg5OO417h_DdZVt4BgMMlxu1lENqMxS3LKplDvxAz286EGyIisY-tpVbuSdxVzNKSQW5Ty1DAn7ThWQiPDl8LZ-BAZ_rFHqhh-YPpF_uP42k7IB1wg&hsutk=d73392bcf6ae43fb1c331072f0de6653&canon=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gilday.com%2Fdesign-build-dc-blog%2Fhome-additions-and-architectural-style-blending-new-and-old&ts=1732107481905&__hstc=126459986.d73392bcf6ae43fb1c331072f0de6653.1700656669767.1731501423500.1732106752809.174&__hssc=126459986.22.1732106752809&__hsfp=336580338&contentType=blog-post) ## Related Articles: Home Addition [![A Tranquil, Court-side Guest Cottage: ADU Remodeling in Metro DC](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/01-ADU-Remodeling.jpg) **A Tranquil, Court-side Guest Cottage: ADU Remodeling in Metro DC** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/adu-remodeling) [![Home Additions Then and Now: How to Add New and Reconfigure Old Space](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/renovation-portfolio/scenic_overlook_porch_addition/scenic-overlook-porch-addition-potomac-md-3-1.png) **Home Additions Then and Now: How to Add New and Reconfigure Old Space** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/home-additions-then-and-now-how-to-add-new-and-reconfigure-old-space) [![The Home Addition Shortcut: Convert a Porch, Attic, Basement or Garage](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/kitchen-renovation-take-two/kitchen-renovation-take-2-1.jpg) **The Home Addition Shortcut: Convert a Porch, Attic, Basement or Garage** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/the-home-addition-shortcut-convert-a-porch-attic-basement-or-garage) [![Home Additions and Architectural Style: Blending New and Old](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/Patio_Side_F.jpg) **Home Additions and Architectural Style: Blending New and Old** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/home-additions-and-architectural-style-blending-new-and-old) [![How to maximize space in your home if an addition isn’t possible](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/kitchen-island.jpg) **How to maximize space in your home if an addition isn’t possible** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/how-to-maximize-space-in-your-home-if-an-addition-isnt-possible) [![Can Zoning and Lot Size Affect My Home Addition Plans?](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Gilday-Nov2017/Image/0e46f4_1e4e4eccdaf84d899d72b3c44a21dabb_1.jpg) **Can Zoning and Lot Size Affect My Home Addition Plans?** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/zoning-and-lot-size-affect-home-addition-plans) [![WHAT'S THE COST OF A HOME ADDITION IN WASHINGTON, DC](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Gilday-Nov2017/Image/0e46f4_d7f3eb1f8a0144539562f72002726611_2.jpg) **WHAT'S THE COST OF A HOME ADDITION IN WASHINGTON, DC** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/whats-the-cost-of-a-home-addition-in-washington-dc) [![Why Investing in Home Additions is Better Than Buying New](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/architects-rendition.jpg) **Why Investing in Home Additions is Better Than Buying New** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/why-investing-in-home-additions-is-better-than-buying-new) [![Considering Porches -or- How the Greeks Invented Outdoor Living](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Gilday-Nov2017/Image/0e46f4_423a6344cd1948a699103fe85a7ca493-2.png) **Considering Porches -or- How the Greeks Invented Outdoor Living** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/single-post/2016/04/07/considering-porches-or-how-the-greeks-invented-outdoor-living) [![Home Additions That Go Against the Grain](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Lichtman-1a.jpg) **Home Additions That Go Against the Grain** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/room-additions-that-go-against-the-grain.html) [![Little Additions](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/malek-1.jpg) **Little Additions** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/little-additions.html) ## Leave a comment We are architects We are interior designers We are builders Let us be yours Gilday Renovations 8820 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 © Gilday Renovations 2025 - 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Not Too Big and Not Too Small", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/interior-view-of-yard.jpg", "height": 800, "width": 800 }, "datePublished": "June 26, 2018", "dateModified": "June 26, 2018", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kevin Gilday" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Gilday Renovations", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4060073/Gilday-Nov2017/Image/H_Logo.jpg" } }, "description": "The size of these Bethesda home additions was fixed by the planned use for the new space. Sometimes finding room for everything in a right-sized addition can be a real challenge" } ```