Bumping out vs. building up is always a tough call, especially when you start thinking about things like runoff and accessibility. I hear you on the roof runoff headaches—seen plenty of folks get creative with gutters, but it’s never a set-it-and-forget-it deal. Rain gardens and French drains can really help, and honestly, they’re not as complicated as they sound once you get into it.
The stairs issue with building up is a big one, though. If you’re planning to stay in the house long-term or want to make it friendly for all ages, keeping everything on one level just makes life easier. I’ve seen people regret adding a second story when they realize how much those stairs matter down the line. Sometimes a well-planned bump-out, even if it means a little more work with landscaping, pays off in the long run. Just my two cents—there’s always a workaround, but it’s smart to think ahead.
Bumping out vs. building up is one of those debates that never seems to have a clear winner, and honestly, I get why. I’ve lived in a 1920s bungalow for years, and every time we talk about adding space, the conversation circles back to these same headaches—runoff, accessibility, and just plain old practicality.
The runoff thing really does get underestimated. When we did a small side addition a few years back, I thought gutters would be enough... but it’s been a constant dance with the downspouts and making sure water doesn’t sneak into the basement. We ended up putting in a rain garden like you mentioned, and I was shocked how much it helped. It’s not rocket science, but it does take some trial and error.
You nailed it on stairs being an issue. My neighbor put on a second story ten years ago—looked amazing at first, but now she’s talking about moving because her knees just aren’t what they used to be. It’s easy to forget that what seems like a minor inconvenience now can turn into a real problem down the road. Bumping out kept everything on one level for us, and with some clever landscaping (and yes, more work), we managed to make it blend in with the old house pretty well.
I do think sometimes people get too hung up on preserving yard space or think bumping out will ruin their lot, but honestly, most of us don’t use our side yards as much as we imagine. And if you do it right, you can actually make your outdoor space feel more private instead of less.
All in all, there are always trade-offs—no perfect answer—but thinking long-term about accessibility is huge. I’d rather deal with a few muddy weekends fixing drainage than regret building something I can’t use comfortably in ten years.
I’d rather deal with a few muddy weekends fixing drainage than regret building something I can’t use comfortably in ten years.
This is exactly it. People get so focused on square footage or resale value, but if you can’t actually enjoy the space as you age, what’s the point? I’ve seen too many folks add a second story and then end up avoiding half their house because stairs just aren’t practical anymore. Plus, with bump-outs, you can get creative with green roofs or permeable pavers to help with runoff—way more eco-friendly than just adding more downspouts. Yard space is nice, but usable, accessible living space matters way more in the long run.
- Totally agree about the stairs—my parents did a second-story addition years ago, and now they barely go up there.
- We did a small bump-out for our kitchen last year. Yeah, it meant less yard, but honestly, we use the space way more now.
- The drainage was a pain at first, but nothing compared to the hassle of carrying groceries up a flight of stairs every day as you get older...
- Green roof idea is cool. We just did rain barrels and some native plants around the new foundation—helped with runoff and looks nice too.
I get the appeal of bump-outs—trust me, I’d love a kitchen big enough to open the fridge without elbowing a wall. But has anyone else found that losing yard space comes back to haunt you? Our house is old, and the yard’s already tiny. I keep thinking, if we ever want a garden party (or, let’s be real, just somewhere to stash the recycling bins), every foot counts. Plus, with historic homes, sometimes adding up is less of a hassle than trying to match 100-year-old brickwork down at ground level... Anyone else run into that?
