What really counts a bedroom?

When you get ready to buy the home and whip up your list of dream features, chances are how many bedrooms you want are top of mind. Once you start house hunting, you may find that some rooms in a home that look like a bedroom at first glance don’t actually count as a bedroom. Understanding what standards a room must meet to count as a bedroom can help simplify your search for home sweet home. 

How bedrooms differ from normal rooms

Once you own a home, it’s up to you how you want to utilize each room. You may want to get creative when it comes to transforming rooms into home gyms, offices, or hobby rooms. If you have a full house, you may specifically be looking for a home with a certain amount of bedrooms. When it comes to the difference between bedrooms and other types of rooms, bedrooms are specifically designed for sleeping and relaxation. They're private spaces meant for resting and personal downtime. Even if you choose to turn a bedroom into a room that serves another purpose, it still counts as a bedroom. 

Most bedrooms provide a certain level of privacy and, as a result, are often located away from common areas in a home and have features like doors that the resident can close for seclusion.

In some cases, having added bedrooms can increase the value of the home. Having multiple bedrooms often caters to diverse living arrangements, accommodating larger families or providing flexibility for various needs such as guest rooms or home offices. This versatility in function appeals to a broader range of buyers and can help improve home value. 

Defining a bedroom: legal requirements

To define bedrooms in a home, you need to first do some research on your local building codes and housing marketing to see how to properly qualify a room as a bedroom. That said, there are a few standard qualifications a bedroom typically must meet.

Size

The dimensions of bedrooms play a pivotal role in their legality and functionality within a home. Typically these spaces must adhere to a minimum size requirement, commonly falling within the range of 70 to 80 square feet. However, the exact size requirements can differ due to regional regulations and building codes, emphasizing the importance of checking local guidelines for precise measurements.

Egress

Does a bedroom have to have a window? There should be at least one window in the room large enough to serve as an emergency exit in case of fire or other emergencies. 

Ceiling height

An often-overlooked yet critical factor in determining habitability is the ceiling height. The ceiling should be a certain height, often around seven feet, to be considered habitable.

Ventilation

How much ventilation a bedroom has not only indicates how safe a room is to sleep in, but how comfortable it will be. Bedrooms should have proper ventilation, ideally through windows (usually, windows are required for safety anyway) or, at the very least, with the help of a mechanical system.

Closet space

Does a bedroom have to have a closet? It’s a common misconception that this is always a requirement. Some regions require a closet in a room to be classified as a bedroom, although this standard is not universally enforced. Homes that reside in more historic areas may not have this requirement, as closets are a fairly modern addition to homes. 

Electrical outlets

A bedroom will need to have a certain number of electrical outlets based on local building codes. The number and placement of electrical outlets within the room need to adhere to specific guidelines that are in place to help ensure safety.

Heating and cooling

The room should have proper heating and cooling options to maintain a comfortable temperature. This doesn’t mean a home needs to have an HVAC system in place, but there should at least be some windows to cool the room down (more on windows later). 

There isn't a specific mandate that bedrooms have heaters — but local building codes or regulations might necessitate certain temperature standards for habitable rooms. In colder climates, a heater might be necessary to meet comfort and safety standards, but you can see if a fireplace is allowed as an alternative. 

Minimum size and dimensions of a bedroom

How big a room is matters and there may be a minimum bedroom size a room needs to meet in your area. There is often a minimum square footage requirement for a room to be considered a legal bedroom. However, the specific bedroom dimensions and minimum requirements can vary based on local building codes and regulations.

In many places, the minimum size for a bedroom is around 70 to 80 square feet. This is a common guideline, but it's essential to check the building codes and regulations in your specific area to make sure. Some regions might also have additional specifications regarding the dimensions and layout of the room to be considered habitable as a bedroom. 

If you are uncertain of whether a house is being marketed properly, you can always consult local authorities or building departments to ensure compliance with the regulations in your area. If you’re shopping for a home, or looking to improve yours before sale, a licensed local real estate agent should have the answer for you, too.

→ Learn how to calculate square footage

Does a bedroom need a window?

As briefly noted earlier, bedrooms generally need to have a window and that rule exists for a few reasons. To start,  it needs to have at least one window that serves as a secondary means of escape in case of an emergency, like a fire. This window is often referred to as an egress window.

The window should meet specific requirements set by local building codes, such as:

• Size: There's usually a minimum size requirement for the window to allow easy exit in emergencies. This can vary but often falls within certain dimensions.
• Height from floor: The bottom of the egress window usually must sit at a certain height above the floor to ensure easy access.
• Properly functioning opening mechanism: The window should be easily operable without the need for special tools or keys.

These regulations exist to ensure the safety of individuals inside the house in case of emergencies and to provide a secondary means of escape when the primary exit, like a door, might be blocked. Windows can also help a bedroom meet ventilation requirements. 

Does a bedroom have to have a closet?

Many people believe that bedrooms must have closets, but this isn’t the case in all jurisdictions. It’s a common and helpful feature but not necessarily a required one. In older homes, it’s fairly common for rooms not to have closets. A gorgeous armoire can usually do the trick when it comes to storage, so many homeowners won’t see a lack of closet space as a deal breaker. It’s crucial to check the specific requirements in your region, as they can vary significantly. 

FAQs

More questions and answers about defining a bedroom.

Is there a minimum square footage requirement for a bedroom?

Yes, there is often a minimum square footage requirement for a bedroom. The specific requirement can vary depending on local building codes and regulations. It's advisable to check with your local building department to determine the minimum square footage required in your jurisdiction.

Can a room without a window be considered a bedroom?

In most cases, a room without a window cannot be legally classified as a bedroom. Proper ventilation and natural light are essential for habitable spaces, and local building codes generally require the presence of a window in a bedroom.

Can you convert a garage into a bedroom?

Converting a garage into a bedroom is a great renovation project to tackle, but it involves several crucial steps. First, you need to assess local regulations and acquire necessary permits. Once you ensure the space meets building codes, including proper insulation, ventilation, and structural adjustments, you can plan for electrical wiring, lighting, and HVAC systems to suit the room's new purpose. You’ll also need to consider adding flooring and windows to make the room more comfortable. Consider contacting a contractor or architect for guidance on structural modifications and design aspects.