Is a narrow double side extension worth it?

last year

We have had an offer accepted on a semi detached house which we want to fully extend.
I've already started planning in my head what we will do with the property, but measuring the side plot it's only 2.4m wide which is now worrying me that once you add in external walls, it's not going to leave much space for rooms etc.
Downstairs is simpler because we can add a utility, wc and wider kitchen diner etc (including a big rear extension) so I'm confident we will find a design which makes a great space.
The concern is the upper floor. Will 2m provide useful space? Is it worth doing a double storey with only this much space?
Other family members we have spoken to have said we really should leave side access space, which sounds very useful but then would only leave just over 1m width which isn't going to work on the upper floor.
Has anyone done a cantilevered extension so the upper floor could be wider than the ground floor? Does this look ugly and would it even be approved by the Council?
Help would be much appreciated

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

nicola astafanous
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year

This is the current layout and the 2.2m side space is on the right hand side next to the entrance door
nicola astafanous
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year

This is the front of the house
Related Discussions
Side / rear extension layout ideas
Q
Comments (19)
It looks like you'll gain lots of space, so definitely worth playing around with plans to make use of it. I don't know how many of you live in the house or how you use your living space, but here's a few thoughts... - a utility is always worth it - no one will use a downstairs bath or shower if there's no bedroom down there, but a downstairs loo is really valuable -if a few people are sharing the upstairs bathroom, one door off a hallway is more practical and easier in terms of privacy -if you can get a small double into the third bedroom, do. Extra space for guests is always a good thing -some separate, quiet living space is always a bonus in an open-plan house. You might not get a full separate room, but dividing some of the space with a half wall will help. Or you could use an open bookcase as a divider. - storage is key in an open plan space. No point in having lots of floor space if it's cluttered with stuff, so include lots of big built in storage. I didn't really use measurements in this sketch, so I hope it's not way off...
...See More
Two storey double extension ideas for a semi (SE London)
Q
Comments (7)
I would suggest to do a bit of research in your local authority’s planning explorer, and see what extensions have been granted in your borough/street. You can search by key words (try ‘two storey side extension’ and ‘two storey back extension’). You can also have a look on zoopla for historic sales of properties on your street. Try and find some that have been extended (google map satellite can help with that) and see if floor plans/ photos are available. In my borough, semi detached houses are fairly routinely granted permission to extend at the side provided the extension is subservient to the original building, existing roof lines are respected and there is no terracing effect. But there are exceptions, and if no house on the street has done it before it may be more difficult to get PP. Every borough is different.
...See More
Side extension Entrance Hall
Q
Comments (6)
Hi Nathan, APT Renovation here! May I ask where the property is located as we are based in South London and if you are in our area of operation we could offer you a free consultation and advise what would be the best way forward with your extension. If you would like to view some of our previous works you can head to https://www.aptrenovation.co.uk/our-projects/ or call us on 0207 223 6417 to organise that consultation. Hope you staying safe in these trying times and you we heard from you soon. Best regards, APT Renovation Ltd
...See More
Reconfiguration without extension - so narrow!
Q
Comments (7)
Does the window on the right mean there’s not a house attached? One option might be to make the bottom half of bed 2 the smallest room, say 2.2x2.2m (small single), and then knock together the rest of it with bed 3 (which then ought to be big enough for a double bed with room either side and wardrobes at the end... lots of faff as you’d have to put a new window in but would give at least one decent bedroom? If you wanted to go all out on that you could also move the stairs across to where the cupboards are, but that would involve moving the downstairs loo and probably the front door so I suspect not financially sensible unless you’re a builder (or have one in the family :p)
...See More
PRO
The Kitchen Lady UK
last year
I think it's important to look at the functions you need your home to fulfil for you and then you can start to allocate space to these functions. Are you looking for a 4th bedroom, is this as a bedroom or is it a guest room/office/property value reasons. This will say if 1-2m is enough.

Car ports are worth googling, they have been designed for years and are much less expensive than cantelevering but give you that side access. Do you use some of this as a utility room or as the garden shed storage, it's working out the brief that will help work out what work is needed and what can be combined elsewhere.

I've just worked with a couple who were resigned to a £50k extension in a few years because their sitting room is too small as the dining table has to go there …rejig of the kitchen and it's a kitchen diner and suddenly the sitting room is twice the size and the extension is now an option and not a requirement.

If you'd like any help working out your brief and working out how the new flow of the house can work, feel free to get in touch, you can find out more on my website www.thekitchenladyuk.co.uk

Good luck

Emily x
Sarah U-S
last year
As The Kitchen Lady says - it all depends on what you need! My brother had a similar sized extension a couple of years ago - they had a utility and wc downstairs and an addition shower room upstairs. It’s perfect because that’s what the house (and them) needed.
nicola astafanous
Original Author
last year
Thanks both.

I f we were going to go for the expense of a double side, I would want a usable bedroom upstairs to make 4 rooms, but not sure if under 2m wide would be usable? We looked at an option to knock through into the box room to create a nice sized master bedroom with an onsuite returning round the side of the house which would be nice so it's just that smaller room which is in question. And also, how would you best join the landing upstairs into the new side extension?
Lewis Carr
last year
Hmm, it does look a bit limited unless you want to completely rig all upstairs to try an make it work. There will also néed to be a few steps up to side extension rooms from the turning point on the stairs.

You could make a much bigger bathroom.... And a L shaped bed 3, or a very narrow bed 4. But I doubt any of these are what you want.

My recommendation if you want another bedroom is a loft extension!
Guy Brown
last year
I'm in a very similar situation, currently purchasing a semi with similar side access and no garage and working out how best to use it. Fortunately the property has already extended at the rear to create a really nice kitchen/dining area/family room flow, as well as a lift conversion for a decent extra bedroom/ensuite. The property does needs a utility and storage and I'm looking for ideas and costs on this. Hoping a single storey side extension would reduce the cost. Similar to yourself, I'm not sure if the space is enough to warrant a double storey extension. Happy to provide the floor plans for what we are getting and ideas for side access usage. Good luck.
Guy Brown
last year
In terms of "leaving the side access", I can understand why but it depends what you want to use the side for and if it is going to be fully integrated into the rest of the house. If its storage/utility and has doors at either end with side access to house then any external traffic could just walk through hopefully?

Is a narrow double side extension worth it?

Comments (8)

nicola astafanous
Original Author

nicola astafanous
Original Author

Related Discussions

The Kitchen Lady UK

Sarah U-S

nicola astafanous
Original Author

Lewis Carr

Guy Brown

Guy Brown

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Is a narrow double side extension worth it?

Comments (8)

nicola astafanousOriginal Author

nicola astafanousOriginal Author

Related Discussions

The Kitchen Lady UK

Sarah U-S

nicola astafanousOriginal Author

Lewis Carr

Guy Brown

Guy Brown

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

nicola astafanous
Original Author

nicola astafanous
Original Author

nicola astafanous
Original Author