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Renovating Design Dilemma Exteriors

Ideas for our front ground floor extension?

3 months ago

Hi,

We're looking to extend the front ground floor to create an extra room to be used as a library/study and to create more space in our hallway way/boot room. We have decided to extend to the front of the house as we have plenty of space in the front garden, and this may also improve the curb appeal by balancing the dominant garage.

The front is south-facing, so we have the opportunity to get plenty of extra light into the house.

Below are some sketches we've done and a floor plan.

Have you got any further ideas??

Featured Answer

rinked

3 months ago

With the orangerie look in mind (without excess triangles):

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Comments (11)

Jonathan
3 months ago
In my opinion it doesn’t improve the kerb appeal because you are introducing a new style which will sit uncomfortably on the streetscape. Furthermore your plan adversely affects the largest room by reducing the windows and making it a corridor to the new room which in turn limits furniture locations.

Instead consider adding a room above the garage or behind the kitchen.
siobhanmcgee90
3 months ago
I cannot see how this improves your house tbh. The cost and bother for such a small addition and it will, as Jonathan says, destroy your sitting room with that great window. Cannot see how the light will be improved either. Agree that you should either convert the garage or build above. Painting that garage door a darker colour would help make it more subdued. Also remove the hedge and plant some nice shrubs and plants. A few decorative trees would soften the appearance.
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I did not realise there's so much involved but now I see the point after reading your comment, mintyman. We are a young family with two boys aged 6 and 7.5 and do have guests around quite often as well as playdays for kids. The new extension will be at the rear of the detached house and will go out to a decent sized north-west facing garden (there's lots of sun from afternoon to late evening). We are surrounded by neighbours from both sides and the garden backs another neighbour's garden with well overgrown trees and shrubs so not so much overlooked I believe. We spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking, doing homework, entertaining guests and would like it as an open plan with the dining area and I even don't mind it opening up to the lounge either. I do like my utility area separate though and badly need a downstairs toilet (possibly using the area under the stairs?). There are no people with disabilities in the family. I am attaching pictures of the rear of the house and the garden. By the way, the internal width from left to the utility wall is 6.2m Thanks so much for your comments!
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Hi ! I think if you wanted the study to double up as a guest suite, or if you are using it as a treatment room for clients - or a dedicated work space... Something along these lines might work well.... I've made the downstairs shower room bigger and more accessible from lounge as requested. Also made the showers larger, as the small ones can be a bit tight to use. I've also adjusted your kitchen layout a bit - just because the beam was making the previous layout unbalanced - this way you are centralising to the beam ( ie the bit you can't change ) and making the kitchen feel more balanced and getting more light in too. The utility area is accessed by triple sliding doors within the kitchen, that stack back to the left ... I thought it might be nice to add an internal link to the dining from the kitchen space - to save negation of the two doors when serving and clearing up from dinner. I hope you like it ! [marketing note : this is an example of our sketch consult service - normally chargeable at £35per hour -but happily given FOC to this Houzzer in this instance. See our pro page for more info on this and other freelance services ]
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We moved into a Victorian semi in December. The room labelled as lounge on the floor plan is now used as a dining room but we're finding that, aside from Christmas day, we dont actually use it! I would love a dining area, but thought about making the existing utility and shower area into a dining space with doors going out to the garden, but we wouldn't want to lose the utility room and shower room - could we move it any where else? I'm not too fussed on extending but I do t mind knocking down and rebuilding walls.
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Morning, Extending the kitchen (and lounge) area out into the garden is a great way to make room for that extra bedroom. We have worked on many similar projects in the past. We are a London based kitchen company with a great eye for deign and making the most of all kitchen spaces. If you would like advice or to discuss further please do get in touch. It would be great to hear some of your requirements needed to be incorporated into the kitchen design to include appliances etc. would also be helpful to get a feel for the style and colours you are interested in. Please feel free to get in touch with us via houzz or by email lj@pad.london Libra
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Isla Cherry
3 months ago
The extension does not sit well with the current house. I am thinking the house is 80's or 90's? They used a lot of brown window and door frames and details then. Look at getting rid of the dark brown details and the white which stands out for the wrong reasons. Agree with Jonathan and Siobhan that there is not enough gain from the extension and it will compromise the existing by diminishing it. I'd work on curb appeal and extend somewhere else. Greenery always makes a big difference too.
Angie
3 months ago
I tend to agree with the comments above. Also, you will need planning permission to extend at the front of the house as you’ll be moving the front towards the road, affecting the street scene as it were.
PRO
Hinton House Interiors
3 months ago
Hi Sven,

I think the comments above are valid, and probably not what you had hoped for, but I hope they help in some way.

You have a lot of options with the space so you can definitely utilise this better. It is probably worth discussing this with an Architect or Interior Designer. They can help you with possible layouts, that will suit your lifestyle and requirements.

This may fall under permitted developement if you don't extend past the prinicple elevation (presuming they will consider the garage as part of the this). However, it is worth checking that with your local planning office.

Good luck!
rinked
3 months ago
I'm not convinced by all the triangles and solid looks of the design. It could work as an orangerie type extension, slightly offset from the house. Or a two storey 'cross gable' by pulling forward the bay windows, but then what to do with the entry.. A garage conversion could be the go to.
rinked
3 months ago
What's the width of the garden towards the left boundary?
rinked
3 months ago
As in: Would this be possible?

Note: stole some space from the kitchen for coats and boots.
rinked
3 months ago
Then again..
Sven B thanked rinked

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