One way to get 'relatively' free square footage on your project is to include a covered outdoor living space. If the cost structure makes sense and the market will pay for, I always try to include an arbor or overhang on the back patio and design and stage it like an outdoor family room. Not only do you add to the esthetics when a buyer is walking your listing, but they automatically visualize themselves entertaining in that space on a warm summer day, with their friends and family. You can search your area and compare remodeled houses that sold with and without a staged outdoor family room and decide for yourself.