Understanding What is NOT Considered Living Space

Home sweet home. Our all too familiar comfort zones, where we unwind, entertain, and create a lifetime of precious memories. But have you ever stopped to consider what is and isn’t officially considered ‘living space’ in your home? Variations in this classification can greatly impact property values, home renovations, and interior design projects. Read on for a clear and entertaining insight into what doesn’t qualify as living space.

Cracking Down the Term: Living Space

A ‘living space’ typically refers to any area in a dwelling that is suitable for comfortable year-round living. This includes kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, dining areas, and cozy nooks. The key is that these areas must have certain amenities, such as windows, heating and cooling capabilities, and adhere to the building and safety codes. Simply put, it must be a space where it’s feasible to, well… live!

The Unadorned Unfinished Basements

Believe it or not, unfinished basements do NOT qualify as living spaces. Despite being home to workout rooms or secondary storage, unfinished basements usually lack proper insulation, natural light, and appropriate heating or cooling systems. Even though they offer valuable square footage, they do not meet the criteria for being labeled as a ‘comfortable year-round living area.’

Attics: Great Potential but Not Quite There

Just like your unfinished basement, your attic may not qualify as a living space either. The cozy nooks and crannies, trendy sloping ceilings, and sense of exclusivity may all point towards a delightful living area, but until it’s finished to meet the necessary living conditions, it’s not considered a legitimate living space.

Your Lifesaver Garages

The multi-purpose room we often take for granted – the garage – is also not included in the roll-call for living spaces. Any area being used primarily for vehicle storage, complete with large garage doors and concrete floors, isn’t regarded as living space because it lacks the necessary amenities for comfortable, year-round occupancy.

Taking the Fun Out of Sunrooms

Those bright and breezy sunrooms that serve as your personal oasis might not make the cut either. Unless your sunroom can maintain a comfortable temperature throughout all seasons and comply with lifestyle necessities, it’s technically not a living space. However, a fully insulated, heated, and cooled sunroom would qualify.

Shed Some Light on Sheds

Garden sheds, no matter how quaint or comfortable, typically aren’t considered living spaces either. Most sheds are not constructed with the intent of supporting human habitation, and thus lack crucial elements such as insulation, heating, and cooling.

Wrap-Up: Embracing the Non-Living Spaces

Although these areas are not officially ‘living spaces,’ they certainly are significant. Remember, not being a living space doesn’t make these areas any less valuable or functional for enhancing your home life. Channel your resourcefulness, spruce things up, and you just might create an indispensable retreat in the nooks and crannies of your ‘non-living spaces’!