How Many Different Ways Can I Extend My Home?
Want more room, but fancy something other than a loft conversion or side return? Explore these space-giving options
It often doesn’t take long after you settle into a home before you start dreaming of having more room – whether it’s because there’s a new addition to the family, you’ve decided to work from home or you’re simply hankering after more space or light. And as moving isn’t always an option, many of us choose to stretch the home we’re in.
As well as standard rear and roof extensions there are many more ways to expand your house, from small alterations to transform one corner of a room – such as installing a dormer window or juliette balcony – to more substantial changes that will add a real sense of space, such as adding a mezzanine floor or losing a ceiling. Be inspired by our guide showing 11 alternative ideas for extending, suitable for a variety of budgets and spaces.
As well as standard rear and roof extensions there are many more ways to expand your house, from small alterations to transform one corner of a room – such as installing a dormer window or juliette balcony – to more substantial changes that will add a real sense of space, such as adding a mezzanine floor or losing a ceiling. Be inspired by our guide showing 11 alternative ideas for extending, suitable for a variety of budgets and spaces.
Side extensions
If you have a small back garden, you probably won’t want to reduce its size even further by extending your property out. However, many properties have a long, thin space to the side – the side return. It usually sits in a shadow, and can be made much better use of if it becomes part of the house.
Be aware that you will need to apply for permission for a side extension. Most councils will advise you about any restrictions on such extensions, or you can get a good idea about what is permitted by looking at neighbouring properties to see what has already been built.
This new space has the potential to make a dramatic difference to your existing living space. Depending on the depth of the new extension, it can either provide a seating area, dining room or even transform the whole back of the property into an open-plan kitchen-dining-living room.
Research the hidden costs of your renovation before starting work
If you have a small back garden, you probably won’t want to reduce its size even further by extending your property out. However, many properties have a long, thin space to the side – the side return. It usually sits in a shadow, and can be made much better use of if it becomes part of the house.
Be aware that you will need to apply for permission for a side extension. Most councils will advise you about any restrictions on such extensions, or you can get a good idea about what is permitted by looking at neighbouring properties to see what has already been built.
This new space has the potential to make a dramatic difference to your existing living space. Depending on the depth of the new extension, it can either provide a seating area, dining room or even transform the whole back of the property into an open-plan kitchen-dining-living room.
Research the hidden costs of your renovation before starting work
Dormer windows
If you have a good existing floor-to-ceiling height in your loft space, a dormer is a relatively small extension which adds lots of light and improves head height as well.
Rear-facing dormers are easier to get permission for and, in most areas, they are classed as lawful development – unless you live in a conservation area or have a listed property. If you cannot get permission for dormers, even inserting Velux windows will improve this space. You may need permission for either, so make sure you check with your council or local architect.
In this top-floor bathroom in a Georgian manor house, adding a dormer has created just enough head height to fit in a small bath. It also hugely enhances the light in the room.
If you have a good existing floor-to-ceiling height in your loft space, a dormer is a relatively small extension which adds lots of light and improves head height as well.
Rear-facing dormers are easier to get permission for and, in most areas, they are classed as lawful development – unless you live in a conservation area or have a listed property. If you cannot get permission for dormers, even inserting Velux windows will improve this space. You may need permission for either, so make sure you check with your council or local architect.
In this top-floor bathroom in a Georgian manor house, adding a dormer has created just enough head height to fit in a small bath. It also hugely enhances the light in the room.
Full-width dormer windows
If a simple dormer doesn’t feel like it will be enough, why not change a rear sloping roof into a full-width dormer?
The bigger the proposed dormer, the more full-height space your loft gains. In most houses, if you build a full-width rear dormer there should be sufficient space for a bedroom, en suite and valuable storage under the eaves, as well as a new staircase of course.
If a simple dormer doesn’t feel like it will be enough, why not change a rear sloping roof into a full-width dormer?
The bigger the proposed dormer, the more full-height space your loft gains. In most houses, if you build a full-width rear dormer there should be sufficient space for a bedroom, en suite and valuable storage under the eaves, as well as a new staircase of course.
Juliette balconies
Instead of a wide dormer window from your bedroom overlooking your back garden, why not install a Juliette balcony to give the added feeling of space and light instead?
In this home, the designer has gone one step further, using folding full-height glass doors with a frameless glazed balustrade to give an unobstructed rooftop view.
Instead of a wide dormer window from your bedroom overlooking your back garden, why not install a Juliette balcony to give the added feeling of space and light instead?
In this home, the designer has gone one step further, using folding full-height glass doors with a frameless glazed balustrade to give an unobstructed rooftop view.
Rear extensions
A rear extension is probably the most common type of extension, because it can add the most value to your property. Depending on its size you can build it under permitted development rules, or apply for it via a planning application. If there are previous extensions on the house, it is worth discussing it with your architect.
A rear extension can be traditional or contemporary in style, and can greatly enhance your kitchen and dining area. The owners of this house have gone for a rear and side extension. Thanks to a wider garden, party wall issues were avoided by setting the extension slightly in from the site boundaries. The design is a great example of how a traditional house can be improved with the addition of a light-filled, contemporary space that contrasts with the rest of the building.
A rear extension is probably the most common type of extension, because it can add the most value to your property. Depending on its size you can build it under permitted development rules, or apply for it via a planning application. If there are previous extensions on the house, it is worth discussing it with your architect.
A rear extension can be traditional or contemporary in style, and can greatly enhance your kitchen and dining area. The owners of this house have gone for a rear and side extension. Thanks to a wider garden, party wall issues were avoided by setting the extension slightly in from the site boundaries. The design is a great example of how a traditional house can be improved with the addition of a light-filled, contemporary space that contrasts with the rest of the building.
Two-storey extensions
If your budget allows it, why not extend on the ground and first floor at the same time? It is often a more economical step as opposed to moving, or doing one lot of building work and then a few years later embarking on another project – especially if you need more bedroom space or an office/study on the first floor.
Planning permission for a two-storey extension can be challenging, but careful design by an experienced architect will be invaluable.
If the two-storey extension is facing your back garden, why not also propose to use part of the new roof of the ground-floor extension as a roof terrace? This will add an extra premium to the value of your property.
If your budget allows it, why not extend on the ground and first floor at the same time? It is often a more economical step as opposed to moving, or doing one lot of building work and then a few years later embarking on another project – especially if you need more bedroom space or an office/study on the first floor.
Planning permission for a two-storey extension can be challenging, but careful design by an experienced architect will be invaluable.
If the two-storey extension is facing your back garden, why not also propose to use part of the new roof of the ground-floor extension as a roof terrace? This will add an extra premium to the value of your property.
Removing ceilings
In most top-floor flats in converted terraced houses there is a room at the back of the building with a low ceiling and sloping roof, which is not high enough to use for storage. A clever way to create the feeling of space is to remove the ceiling and benefit from the additional height.
Additionally, if you add roof lights you can turn an otherwise dark space into a light-filled room, perfect for a kitchen as shown here, or a dining room.
In most top-floor flats in converted terraced houses there is a room at the back of the building with a low ceiling and sloping roof, which is not high enough to use for storage. A clever way to create the feeling of space is to remove the ceiling and benefit from the additional height.
Additionally, if you add roof lights you can turn an otherwise dark space into a light-filled room, perfect for a kitchen as shown here, or a dining room.
Mezzanines
If you’re lucky enough to live in a home with ultra-high ceilings, why not use the space to create a mezzanine level? If the internal ceiling height can be halved and each half is still well above 2m, you could use the space to create a new bedroom, entertainment space or a TV area, for example.
This new internal level will require a structural design, but it is much cheaper than creating the same amount of floor space by extending your property.
You may not need planning permission because it’s an internal alternation (unless your building is listed), but you will need the new construction to adhere to building regulations.
Many homes won’t have the option to be subdivided in this way, but high ceilings and more unusual spaces – a converted church in the case of this room, for example – will give you plenty of opportunities to think creatively!
Get expert advice on small and large mezzanines
If you’re lucky enough to live in a home with ultra-high ceilings, why not use the space to create a mezzanine level? If the internal ceiling height can be halved and each half is still well above 2m, you could use the space to create a new bedroom, entertainment space or a TV area, for example.
This new internal level will require a structural design, but it is much cheaper than creating the same amount of floor space by extending your property.
You may not need planning permission because it’s an internal alternation (unless your building is listed), but you will need the new construction to adhere to building regulations.
Many homes won’t have the option to be subdivided in this way, but high ceilings and more unusual spaces – a converted church in the case of this room, for example – will give you plenty of opportunities to think creatively!
Get expert advice on small and large mezzanines
Small basement extensions
A good, cost-effective alternative extension of space is to make a small basement extension, like this ingenious wine cellar, accessible right from your kitchen.
Such an alteration may not require planning permission, but it is always prudent to check with your council. It does however, require a thorough structural design.
You can of course extend under a larger part of your house, but in most cases this is very expensive.
A good, cost-effective alternative extension of space is to make a small basement extension, like this ingenious wine cellar, accessible right from your kitchen.
Such an alteration may not require planning permission, but it is always prudent to check with your council. It does however, require a thorough structural design.
You can of course extend under a larger part of your house, but in most cases this is very expensive.
Roof garden extensions
If you live in a city where open spaces are scarce, or you don’t have a garden, how would you like to have your own bit of outside space? Although it is not simple to achieve planning permission (most proposals fail because the council is worried about noise and overlooking from this new, high vantage point) it is worth considering.
If you are lucky enough, and your architect manages to secure the all-important planning permission, it will make your property stand out from the crowd, and increase its value considerably.
The architectural drawing here shows a carefully balanced roof extension and a roof terrace. The roof terrace is on the front and the extension is set back to be less noticeable from the street.
TELL US…
Have you extended your home? We’d love to hear your experiences or advice in the Comments below.
If you live in a city where open spaces are scarce, or you don’t have a garden, how would you like to have your own bit of outside space? Although it is not simple to achieve planning permission (most proposals fail because the council is worried about noise and overlooking from this new, high vantage point) it is worth considering.
If you are lucky enough, and your architect manages to secure the all-important planning permission, it will make your property stand out from the crowd, and increase its value considerably.
The architectural drawing here shows a carefully balanced roof extension and a roof terrace. The roof terrace is on the front and the extension is set back to be less noticeable from the street.
TELL US…
Have you extended your home? We’d love to hear your experiences or advice in the Comments below.
While most plots have more space at the back, there is sometimes room to add additional space at the front of the property.
Narrow entrances can easily get cluttered up with coats and shoes, and a front porch can help with this, providing dedicated storage space. In addition, a new entrance door can improve security and also help to prevent heat from escaping.
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