Bedrooms: A House Essential Or An Unnecessary Luxury?

Whether a house is required to have a bedroom depends on where you live. Building codes vary from state to state, and these codes determine what elements a room must have to be legally called a bedroom. In most places, a room must meet specific requirements regarding size, ceiling height, heating and cooling, and means of egress to be considered a bedroom. These requirements ensure that homes are not sold with falsely advertised bedrooms and that the bedrooms that do exist are safe to live and sleep in.

Minimum square footage

The minimum square footage for a bedroom varies depending on the number of occupants and local building codes. According to the International Residential Code (IRC), a bedroom intended for a single occupant should have a minimum of 70 square feet of floor space, with no one dimension being less than 7 feet. This means that the bedroom must measure at least 7 feet in any horizontal direction.

For a double bedroom, or a room intended for multiple occupants, an additional 50 square feet should be added to the minimum, resulting in a total of at least 120 square feet.

It is important to note that building codes may vary from state to state, and local regulations should be consulted to ensure compliance with specific requirements.

Two means of egress

While there are no requirements for houses to have a bedroom, bedrooms are one of the most important selling features of a home. However, if a room is to be classified as a legal bedroom, it must meet specific requirements, including having two means of egress.

A bedroom must contain at least one method of egress, which is an emergency exit. If a bedroom does not have a door that opens to the outside, it must have a window that can be used for emergency escape and rescue. This is important as many deaths are caused by occupants being asleep during a fire.

Technically, a bedroom must have two means of egress, with the second egress being either a window or a second door that opens to the outside. Skylights may also qualify as a second means of egress in most markets. However, this second egress must be operable from the inside without the use of keys, tools, or special knowledge.

Egress Window Requirements

If a window is used to fulfil the egress requirement, specific details must be considered. The minimum clear opening of the window should be 5.7 square feet, with a minimum width of 20 inches and a minimum height of 24 inches. The maximum height from the floor to the window opening should be 44 inches. If the window is more than 44 inches from the ground, a ladder or steps at least 12 inches wide must be present.

Basement egress windows must also include window wells that provide enough clearance to allow for escape. The window well should have a horizontal area of at least nine square feet, with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches. If the egress window is located under a deck or porch, the structure above should allow the window to be fully opened, and the escape path should have a minimum height of three feet.

It is important to note that building codes vary by location, so it is essential to consult local building codes and regulations when determining if a room meets the requirements of a legal bedroom.

Minimum ceiling height

While there are no legal requirements for ceiling heights in homes in the UK, there are expected standard ceiling heights. For instance, the average ceiling height of a house in the UK is around 2.4 metres, while the optimum ceiling height is between 2.6 to 3 metres.

In the US, some states require that at least half of a bedroom ceiling must be at least 7 feet tall.

In the UK, if you're building a new house, planning legislation will determine the minimum floor-to-ceiling height. In most parts of the UK, it is set at 2.3 metres, while in London, it is 2.5 metres.

For home extensions and loft conversions, there is no minimum ceiling height requirement in the UK. However, building regulations require stairs to have a minimum head clearance of 2 metres, which can reduce to 1.8 metres in some situations.

For estate agents' area calculations, they include areas with a head height of more than 1.5 metres.

Minimum window size

When it comes to bedrooms, safety is the primary deciding factor in determining what constitutes a bedroom. The International Residential Code (IRC) specifies the required features for a "habitable room", which includes the "sleeping unit" or bedroom.

To be considered a bedroom, a room must have a window that opens at least halfway. The minimum window size is usually 5.7 square feet, with a minimum opening height of 24 inches and a minimum width of 20 inches. The window must be no more than 44 inches from the floor, unless a step or other permanent installation allows easy access. The IRC also mandates a minimum distance of 24 inches between the finished floor of the room and the window sill to prevent children from falling out.

The window must be operable from the inside without the use of keys, tools, or special knowledge. This is to ensure that it can serve as an effective means of egress in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Basement egress windows have additional requirements. They must have a window well that provides enough clearance to allow escape. The window well should provide a "floor area" of 9 square feet, with a minimum dimension of 36 inches in width and length. If the window well depth exceeds 44 inches, a permanently affixed ladder or steps are required for climbing out.

It is important to note that building codes and regulations may vary from state to state, so it is always a good idea to check the specific requirements in your area.

Heating and cooling

Heating Tips:

• Ensure your bedroom has a heater. A space heater doesn't qualify as per legal requirements.
• Use energy-efficient light bulbs. Traditional incandescent bulbs can generate unnecessary heat and increase your energy bills.
• During colder months, keep bedroom doors closed to prevent heat from escaping.
• Invest in an arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). This device is a safety feature that protects your home from fires due to faulty wiring.
• Utilise a hot water bottle. In the winter, fill it with hot water for cosy toes without turning up the thermostat.

Cooling Tips:

• Keep windows, blinds, shutters, and curtains closed during the day. This prevents hot outside air from entering and maintains a cooler temperature indoors. Open them up once the sun has passed your room or during the cooler parts of the day.
• Install blackout blinds or curtains with thermal protection. They block out sunlight and heat in the summer and insulate during the winter.
• Invest in a good fan. Position it across from a window to create a cooling cross-breeze. Ceiling fans should be adjusted to run counterclockwise, pulling hot air up and out.
• Avoid charging electronics and using appliances overnight. Devices like phones, laptops, and ovens generate heat, so minimise their use to keep the bedroom cooler.
• Use lightweight and breathable bedding. Light-coloured bed linens made of lightweight cotton or linen promote ventilation and airflow, helping you stay cool.
• Consider a dehumidifier. While it won't lower the temperature, it will remove humid air, making the room feel less stuffy and more comfortable.

Frequently asked questions