Extension or garden?

9 years ago

We would love an extension but my concern is the lack of garden space once we do it!

Those of you who have had an extension done do you regret it with the reduced outdoor space?

Also how far does your extension come out?

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Lou Ella
Original Author

9 years ago

Thanks everyone! We are now considering remodelling the house as it is. making a dining kitchen with patio/ bifold doors onto the garden. And use the rest of the money landscaping the garden, adding a downstairs toilet under the stairs and updating the whole of the bottom of the house with new flooring /carpets etc. Whilst the kids are young (3 & 6 years) I do want a good sized garden! Thanks for all your advice :-)

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Comments (9)

Jonathan
9 years ago
I think it depends on the house but lots of houses have modest gardens.
If is also possible that your plot allows you to extend into underused space at the side which would have minimal impact on the size of the garden.
Don't forget that great garden planning can make the most of a modest space.
Have other houses around extended in a similar way to your plans?
headers13
9 years ago
I think it also depends on if you use the garden a lot. Weigh up how many months of the year you use the garden & what you would use the extension for etc.
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PRO
User
9 years ago
Totally depends on space available. If you do the extension right and have doors that open fully, then the idea would be that it would be like an 'inside' space outside.
PRO
Ayegardening Ltd
9 years ago
If you can get the right kind of design with bi fold doors it will feel as though you are bringing the outside in and vice versa. Try to create a space that joins seamlessly with the garden and the rest of the house.
A S
9 years ago
Hi,
I feel the garden vs extension depends on many factors:
- which of the two spaces will you use most? if you often use the garden it is important to consider the reason for extension, is it for practical reasoms such as lack of space or is it because you want better flexibility etc? alternatively it could be that you don't really use the garden and you may benefit from an extension.

2- you could also gain the best off both spaces by creating a clever design to help create both internal and external spaces.

before you make a decision, consider which you use the most and which will be most practical. Is there similar houses in your area which have extended which you can gain inspiration from?

Good Luck!
PRO
Ayegardening Ltd
9 years ago
Yes that is a good point that A.S makes - looking at houses in the area that have achieved a similar look or worked out a solution to get the best of both the spaces.
laurz84
9 years ago
I had this dilemma and we are having an extension of 3m reducing our garden. The extension will give us a much bigger kitchen and a study/playroom and ultimately with UK weather this is more beneficial to us.

I thought about how often when it's nice weather we actually go out for the day etc and we have a park behind our house and fields about 5 mins walk when we have kids and they need to run around.

With good design our garden will still have the space to be able to eat outside etc.

Took me 2 years to decide this and realise we just didn't use our garden enough to warrant not being able to lose some of it.
A B
9 years ago
It depends what you use your garden for, but for me I think it is important to keep things in proportion. So I wouldn't want a big house with a tiny garden. If your garden is already small, I would be looking to rework internal layout or just move.

Extension or garden?

Lou Ella
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Jonathan

headers13

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Extension or garden?

Lou EllaOriginal Author

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Lou Ella
Original Author