What is the minimum size for a bedroom?

3DataModem

We are getting an attic converted and are losing a little bit off a small bedroom to accommodate the stairway.

Can someone tell me what the minimum dimensions of a bedroom to be officially classed as a "bedroom"?

While I am happy with the new sized room, I don't want to run into a problem if I'm reselling the property somewhere down the line.

All info appreciated.

Simple answer is it must be big enough for a bed! but the main issue is that the conversion must comply with fire regulations for the attic to be classed as a room and not stowage.

3DataModem

Not worried about the Attic - I know it's not a bedroom due to the low roof.

What I'm worried about I'd whether the small room is still OK to qualify as a bedroom.

"Big enough for a bed" is not very specific. Any further info?

mal_1

6.4m 2 was the minimum requirement for a single bedroom in newbuild.

sinnerboy

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/UrbanandVillageDevelopment/FileDownLoad,2414,en.doc.

http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=22330

3DataModem

mal_1 wrote: »

6.4m 2 was the minimum requirement for a single bedroom in newbuild.

6m^2....? Dang it. Can you link to the relevant regulation? does that apply to new builds only or remodels?

After the work the room will be basically six foot long by six foot wide plus a floor height bay window that is 80cm x 125cm. So a total of about 4.6m^2.

At the moment there is another 2 foot x 6 foot part that will be lost with the remodelling.

3DataModem

sinnerboy wrote: »

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/UrbanandVillageDevelopment/FileDownLoad,2414,en.doc.

http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=22330

Thanks for the links, but the first seems to only apply to Apartments not houses.

Anybody got the relevant one for houses?

mal_1

3DataModem wrote: »

6m^2....? Dang it. Can you link to the relevant regulation? does that apply to new builds only or remodels?

After the work the room will be basically six foot long by six foot wide plus a floor height bay window that is 80cm x 125cm. So a total of about 4.6m^2.

At the moment there is another 2 foot x 6 foot part that will be lost with the remodelling.

The sizes of rooms applied since the 90's in development plans; tax designation guidelines as attached above, floor area cert requirements etc.
These are for apartments and houses as well, but have been increased in size as a guideline recently in this document Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities- Design Guidelines P48

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,1979,en.pdf
This I think is only policy & guideline and doesn't have a legal standing

AFAIK the size of a room doesn't have a significant relevance in a 'old' house after certification, except if you are listing it as a bedroom in sales documentation, where would then becomes known as a study.

Mellor

3DataModem wrote: »

After the work the room will be basically six foot long by six foot wide plus a floor height bay window that is 80cm x 125cm. So a total of about 4.6m^2.

Check your sums, that works out at 4.24m2
To be fair, you really shouldn't consider putting a child into that room. Could you even get a bed it and still open door?
I would seriously consider finding a different route to the attic

3DataModem wrote: »

Thanks for the links, but the first seems to only apply to Apartments not houses.

Anybody got the relevant one for houses?

It's the same

mal_1 wrote: »

AFAIK the size of a room doesn't have a significant relevance in a 'old' house after certification, except if you are listing it as a bedroom in sales documentation, where would then becomes known as a study.

not really, even after certification, if a room was changed and was no longer a bedroom, the house is now a 2 bed and not a 3 bed, affects price

3DataModem

OK thanks for the great input so far.

I'd better give some specifics.

Here's a not to scale drawing of the room as it is today;



The bed is currently built in, the wardrobe is actually bigger than it looks (63cm wide).

I calculate that this room is currently 6.4m^2, which is consistent with the builders approach of barely squeezing in the extra room.

The part in grey is actually where the stairs headroom currently creates a slope in the room. As the wardrobe and built-in bed are there at the moment it is pretty much invisible.

A pretty clever trick by the builder to make a room where a room shouldn't fit!

In any case, what we are proposing to do is move the door another 50 cm or so into the room, and put a stairs where the wardrobe currently is.

This means we lose 1m^2 from the room.

Now this room will *actually* be used as a walk-in wardrobe and not a bedroom at all. We have two largeish rooms in addition to this plus a 16' x 13'
attic space with 6'6" central clearance and 3'6" wall height.

So we will be perfectly happy with our house after the change.

The only problem we have is we will not be able to call the house a "3-bed" in a estate agent brochure. This is not a problem today, but will be a problem if we want too sell in the future (as Mal_1 and mellor pointed out).

So what we are going to do is ask the builder about whether it would be possible to move the (stud) wall on the left hand side out to increase the size of the room. This will reduce the size of the master bedroom somewhat (not critically, it is a pretty big room with an ensuite) but as we are getting an entire m^2 for each 43cm we move the wall, that may be a viable option to return the house to 3-bedroom status for a sale. Note; we wouldn't do this now, only when it came to sell the house in the future.

Any thoughts or further input would be much welcomed.