Single / Double Side Extension with Loft Conversion (Scotland)

last year

My husband and I are currently debating on whether it is worth moving house or adding a side extension, for further room.

For context, we live in a three bedroom relatively new build home, which has a very very strange layout.
The living room is a mixture of living-dining, quite spacious but not so much when you have the table & chairs. The kitchen is tiny and an absolute nightmare at Christmas. There is a downstairs toilet in the small hallway leading out to the back garden.
Upstairs bathroom, three bedrooms (two same small-medium size, and one box room).

We love the area where we live, it’s quiet, we don’t think we’ll get another garden the size we have, plus driveway etc, close to family for our three kids, and therefore are struggling with making the decision to move.

Our idea is to put the side extension just down from where the backdoor is, to add a double fold door (instead of a sliding patio) which folds out to the left, and then to extend this out all the way to the front of the house with a large single window on the far end. We plan to leave a gap for a tall double side gate down to the back garden.

It is the thought that this will extend the kitchen area (which needs to be remodelled anyway) and allow us to have a separate place for a dining room / conservatory area.

A double extension would also extend our upstairs bathroom so we can fit in a separate shower, bath, and generally make the upstairs larger - alongside the box room.

My husband wants to convert the loft also - and we thought that this would be good to do altogether, adding further bedrooms or an office (my husband currently has his desk under the stairs and its no good - there’s no room).

Just looking for any advice really.

Very Approx measurements are - 6ft x 26ft (Extension)
2ft 8 gap (for gate).

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Ricky Watkins
last year
It's currently 6feet but if you build to fence you'll lose over a foot with blockwork/ cavity so rooms will be less than 5 feet once plasterboard etc is installed.
Jemma Cox
Original Author
last year
It’s 6ft to the concrete slabs (first column), so if we were to push it back to the fence it might make the space 6ft? Is it worth it though space wise? Would we see a difference do you think?
We know nothing of building work.
Related Discussions
Any feedbacks/comments on our loft conversion plans?
Q
Comments (2)
Many thanks Owl for the feedback. I understand what you are saying regarding constraints and the loft stair is something that was proposed by our architect and that we explored in detail. However, it is not something relevant for our family situation with our children and their specific needs; and in addition, it was making the rooms at the end of the corridor (on the left side) either too big (if merged into 1) or (if keep as 2 bedrooms as they are) too small. The middle bedroom was becoming very small and the 2 rooms above where not that much bigger due to the shape of the roof. Our architect did draw plan for this option but after review, it was not the right thing for us. I am keen to know, with our current constraints, you or any one else has some comments :) it would be really appreciate. Many thanks
...See More
Loft conversion or kitchen extension
Q
Comments (13)
Hello Jane. I cannot promise clever ideas but here goes. A loft conversion costs serious money as dos an extension. You have only just bought the house so I would first be inclined give yourselves time to grow into the space and learn how you all use it as a family. I would see if I could work with what I already have with a view to possibly doing major works at a later date. You have already explored the option of knocking through from the kitchen into the lounge. This is a good place to start. Cost is dependant on whether or not this is a supporting wall. I notice you have a small inner hall and under stair cupboard. Could you open up these two areas to enlarge the kitchen further? It would increase its size by a third. If you block off access into the kitchen from the hall you would create additional wall space for cupboards. For this to work you would need to move the existing door opening from the hall into the lounge further along the wall towards the front door. Locate the lounge to the front of the house and dining to the rear. It is a long room. You could keep it open plan or divide it with double doors set in a wall. Pocket or bifold would prevent them eating into the space. Or just have two narrow walls either side to visually divide the space. Not an arch, this costs more and you would lose the height which visually shrinks the space. Going back to the kitchen. You could block the rear door which would again allow for more wall space for cupboards. With all this wall space you could build a u shaped kitchen facing the dining area. You may have room for an island or peninsula. Double doors from the dining would take you out into the garden. Are you planning to demolish the outside stores? If you do you could install a window in the outside wall into your kitchen. Do you currently need the third bedroom? If you don’t and you lack space in the bedrooms for wardrobes then could you turn this bedroom into a walk in wardrobe? All these suggestions are relatively low cost in comparison to extensions and loft conversions. They buy you time because as sure as eggs are eggs you will change your mind.
...See More
extension and garage (part) conversion ideas
Q
Comments (3)
You could retain the front of the garage for parking or storage, open the wall between the kitchen/dining for a larger kitchen, tuck a pantry with utility access to the side of that (middle section of garage) and then the rear of the garage could be a glazed dining area that frames an external patio/deck and has views back into the kitchen area. This will keep them connected visually, yet functionally separate.
...See More
Is a narrow double side extension worth it?
Q
Comments (8)
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
...See More
Ricky Watkins
last year
Oh ok it would seem a lot of expense for very little in return size wise. Ask an architect to come round & advise you maybe? Plus would your property be worth minimum what you'll pay after all the work.
PRO
User
10 months ago
Good Afternoon Mrs Cox ,

Kitchens by J S Geddes are an award-winning kitchen retailer based in Kilmarnock.

Founded in 1984 we specialise in the design, installation and aftercare of high end contemporary and classic kitchens. We are passionate about form, design and technology and how these can integrate into your everyday life

We pride ourselves on being able to work effectively along-side architects, so if you are thinking of starting a project and need both architectural / building / design input, please do not hesitate to contact our design studio on 01563 530838.

Single / Double Side Extension with Loft Conversion (Scotland)

Comments (4)

Ricky Watkins

Jemma Cox
Original Author

Related Discussions

Ricky Watkins

User

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Single / Double Side Extension with Loft Conversion (Scotland)

Comments (4)

Ricky Watkins

Jemma CoxOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Ricky Watkins

User

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Jemma Cox
Original Author