A young family might use the space as a playroom. A remote worker might see it as the perfect home office. Empty nesters may turn it into a hobby room, home gym, or guest space.<\/p>\n
In this guide, we’ll explain what qualifies as a bonus room, why it isn’t considered a bedroom, whether it can add value to a home, and the most popular ways homeowners use these flexible spaces.<\/p>\n
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HomeLight\u2019s agent-matching service is completely free to use and agents don\u2019t pay to be featured, so the results are purely based on professional performance and your specific home-buying or selling needs.<\/p>\n \n
What is a bonus room?<\/h2>\n
A bonus room is an extra finished room in a home that isn’t classified as a bedroom or one of the home’s primary living spaces.<\/p>\n
You might find a bonus room:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Above a garage<\/li>\n
- In a finished attic<\/li>\n
- In a finished basement<\/li>\n
- In a converted loft area<\/li>\n
- As an additional living space added during construction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In some parts of the country, a bonus room located above the garage is called a FROG<\/a>, which stands for “finished room over garage.”<\/p>\n
While layouts vary, the common theme is flexibility. A bonus room gives homeowners additional usable square footage without requiring the space to serve a specific purpose.<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nWhy isn’t a bonus room considered a bedroom?<\/h2>\n
One of the most common questions buyers ask is why a seller wouldn’t simply market a bonus room as an extra bedroom.<\/p>\n
The answer usually comes down to building codes and local regulations.<\/p>\n
While requirements vary by location, bedrooms generally must meet specific standards related to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Minimum square footage requirements (often around 70 square feet<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Ceiling height (7 feet in some states)<\/li>\n
- Emergency egress windows (in case of fire)<\/li>\n
- Heating and cooling (connected to the house)<\/li>\n
- Built-in closet (may be required in some jurisdictions)<\/li>\n
- Other local code requirements (accessibility and safety)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If a room falls short in one or more areas, it may still be perfectly functional, but it typically cannot be advertised as a legal bedroom.<\/p>\n
For example, a finished attic room might have sloped ceilings that don’t meet local requirements for a bedroom. A finished space over a garage may lack a qualifying egress window. Another room may not have the heating and cooling needed to satisfy local standards.<\/p>\n
That doesn’t mean the room can’t be used for sleeping; you can certainly convert it into a bedroom for your use. It simply means it isn’t recognized as a legal bedroom for listing and appraisal purposes.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nBonus room vs. flex room: What’s the difference?<\/h2>\n
- Minimum square footage requirements (often around 70 square feet<\/a>)<\/li>\n