What Is a Bonus Room?

Bedrooms, bathrooms, and living rooms are all common and familiar rooms in a home. But what about an extra room that can’t be categorized, yet still provides a usable and versatile space? That’s where bonus rooms come in.

A bonus room is an extra space in a home that doesn’t meet building code requirements for traditional rooms and doesn’t serve a clearly defined purpose. This is part of a bonus room’s appeal — it can be creatively transformed into a space that serves your specific needs. Bonus rooms are typically converted from an above-garage space, an attic, or a basement.

“They can be larger or smaller than other rooms and vary in location within a house,” says Chris Fajkos, a Realtor in Truckee, California. “They are often located on a separate floor or above a garage, offering a unique space that can be adapted to various uses.”

What’s the Difference Between a Bonus Room and Bedroom? 

A bedroom is different from a bonus room because there are legal requirements for a space to count as a bedroom. Keep in mind that each state may have its own qualifications, but here are some common guidelines:

Bedrooms may not be legally required to have a closet, but it’s another feature that is typically included in a bedroom and missing in a bonus room.

Can a bonus room be converted into a bedroom? 

While you can turn a bonus room into an unofficial bedroom that serves the same practical purpose, you can’t include it as a bedroom on real estate listings. In other words, if you have a home with three bedrooms and want to sell it down the line, you can’t claim that your bonus room is a fourth bedroom.

Whether you can renovate a bonus room into an official bedroom will depend on your home and budget, since projects like this can be expensive. For example, if your bonus room is a converted attic with a vaulted ceiling, you may need to raise the roof to meet bedroom ceiling height requirements. The average cost to raise a roof is $31,000 to $55,000, according to the American Society of Home Inspectors.

Another thing to consider before taking on this renovation is you’ll be sacrificing the versatility of a bonus room, and it could increase your property taxes.

Do Bonus Rooms Impact Property Taxes?

A bonus room doesn’t directly affect your property taxes. However, it can offer more usable space, which could add to your home’s value. The higher your home’s value, the more property taxes you’ll pay.

Does a Bonus Room Count Toward Square Footage?

A bonus room will count toward a home’s square footage if it meets gross living area requirements. This requires the space to be: 

• Aboveground.
• Finished.
• Livable. 
• With two means of egress.
• Compliant with local ceiling height and accessibility requirements.

Since bonus rooms often count as square footage but don’t explicitly impact property taxes, they’re considered a win-win deal for those considering buying a home with a bonus room.

FAQ

Here are the answers to some common questions about bonus rooms. 

What are some other names for bonus rooms?

Some listings may call a bonus room by other names, including: 
— Extra room.
— Flex space.
— Finished room over garage — or FROG.
— Loft space.
— Spare room. 
— Multiuse room.

What’s the difference between a bonus room and an attic? 

An attic is a space directly below the roof of a house that’s usually stuffed with insulation, though it can be used for storage if certain measures are taken. While bonus rooms can be renovated attics, they are typically finished, livable, and overall much more enjoyable places to be. 

What’s the difference between a bonus room and a basement?

A basement is an area that’s below the first level of a home, and typically partially or entirely underground. A bonus room can be a renovated basement.