A house extension is a great way of creating additional space without having to move, while also increasing the value of your home. In fact, one of the most effective ways to increase the value of your home is through an extension. If you want to transform your home by creating extra space, but aren’t quite sure where to start or are looking for a little inspiration, read on to explore our top 10 house extension ideas.
Remember, you should always speak to an expert before planning an extension, as they will be able to offer advice and tell you what would work best for your home and the space available. Our round-up of our top 10 house extension ideas that will transform your home is a great starting point if you’re looking for some inspiration.
Picking the right house extension design for your home involves considering the architectural style of your home for a seamless blend of the existing home and the new extension. You’ll also need to ensure that the layout actually works for you and your daily needs, whether you’re extending your home for added living space, a kitchen, bathroom, or office.
Clarifying what you want the extra space for is an important step when planning your house extension. What is it you want? An extra bedroom or bathroom? A larger kitchen? Or maybe you want a home gym or workspace? Think carefully about what the space will be used for, and use that as a starting point when designing it.
Cost is another big factor you should consider. Ensure that your design and planned extension align with your budget and allow for any possible extra, unforeseen costs. It is often recommended that you set a contingency fund of around 10-15%, in case any hiccups or additional costs arise.
A successful house extension requires careful planning and help from experts. Check your local planning permission policies and building regulations, and ensure you have all necessary permits in place. Hiring an expert to manage your house extension project is a good idea, as they will be able to help you understand what permissions and permits are needed, and advise what is achievable based on this and your location.
Below we’ve listed 10 house extension ideas to consider if you want to add extra space in your home. We’ve included everything from simple extensions that utilise existing space to large-scale extensions that maximise the size and value of your house. There is something for everyone here, no matter your needs or budget.
A loft conversion is a classic extension many people consider. It’s a great way to utilise your underused space and add extra room upstairs. The perfect option if you’re looking to add an extra bedroom and ensuite. By transforming your attic space into a practical and stylish living space, you can unlock your property’s full potential and increase its market value.
There are many different styles of loft conversion available, which vary in price. If you want more of an idea of how much a loft conversion will cost and what will affect the price, read our blog on the subject.
Many people don’t use their garage to house a car, and it can become wasted space. Why not put it to better use by converting your garage into an extra room? This could be a cost-effective option, as the structure is already there and could reduce costs if you’re happy to keep it the same size. A garage extension works great as a home office, gym, or guest accommodation. Speak to a specialist to find out what is achievable from your garage and what is needed to make it a habitable space.
This may not be your first thought when adding an extension to your home, but adding an extension to the front of your house can be a great way to add extra space and transform the downstairs of your property.
Building a front porch, for example, can be a small change that offers a big impact. A porch provides you with an extra entrance space to take off and store shoes or coats, keep guests sheltered when waiting for you to answer the door, or a space for your pet to relax during the day and dry off after a muddy walk. By keeping the original front door in place and adding a new one to the porch, it minimises draughts, helping to keep your home warm, and adds an extra layer of security.
As long as you follow certain requirements, you often don’t need planning permission to add a porch to your home, as they fall under permitted development rights. Just be sure to check your local council policies before doing anything.
Conservatories are a great addition to any home. They provide a light, airy space that can be utilised as an extra living room, dining space, or a play room for children. Conservatories can be built in many shapes and sizes, designed to fit your home. They’re also a great connection from the outdoors and your home, so if you have a nice garden you want to enjoy year-round, a conservatory is a great way to achieve this. Conservatories offer an affordable extension idea that adds valuable extra space to your home.
If you’re looking to achieve maximum value for money and gain a large amount of extra space, then a two-storey extension is probably the best option. The cost per square metre typically works out cheaper than a single-storey extension, as more expensive elements such as roofs and foundations will be similar for both, even though you’re adding more floor area.
A two-storey extension can provide extra space both up and downstairs, adding several additional rooms to your home or extending existing ones. It can essentially double your space! Another great thing with two-storey extensions is that if you decide to expand out and up, you can really open up a living space with a double-height ceiling and add a lot of extra natural light. This can make your room feel brighter, bigger, and airier.
A beautiful kitchen is one of the most highly sought-after features in a home. Most property experts agree that a modern kitchen can add value to your home. It’s estimated you can add up to 10% of your home’s value with an upgraded kitchen. But on top of just adding value, a kitchen extension will upgrade your living space and transform the heart of your home. As the average person in the UK reportedly spends around 7 years of their life in the kitchen, you want this to be an enjoyable and relaxing space to be in.
Whether you simply want to upgrade your existing kitchen, add an island or a little extra space for dining, or you want to completely overhaul and extend the entire kitchen, EveryTrade can help. We can help you design a completely bespoke kitchen that combines both functionality and style. We can then carry out any extension works and install your beautiful new kitchen, providing a completely seamless service.
An annexe can either be a standalone building or connected to the main house. It is a great way to provide an added, self-contained living space or workspace. Many people use annexe’s as guest rooms, for relatives who come to live with them, older children who want their own space, or as a space to conduct their business out of.
Building an annexe can be an expensive project, but it can also add significant value, particularly if you use it as guest accommodation to provide additional income.
A wrap-around extension combines both a side and rear extension to create a larger living space. It forms an L-shape around the house. This is ideal for a home with a larger outdoor space that’s underutilised, with space both at the side and the back, especially if you still want to keep some of your garden/outdoor space. This is a popular choice for people extending their kitchen, living, and dining area all in one.
Wrap-around extensions can be both single-storey and double-storey, so they can add a lot of extra space to your home. They’re great for open-plan living options as well as dividing them up into separate multi-use rooms, too, such as bedrooms, utility rooms, or extra bathrooms.
Just one thing to note, a wrap-around extension doesn’t fall under permitted development rights, so it will require planning permission.
Home extensions don’t just have to include indoor spaces. If you want to create a continuous living space in your garden, you can build structures that perfectly blend the indoors and outdoors. Structures such as verandas with canopies and pergolas can add a lovely touch to your garden, and offer somewhere you can enjoy the outside, comfortably.
Many people enjoy having an outdoor sitting area or dining area, and some even have a barbecue or built-in kitchen outside, too. There are many options for extending your outdoor space, and our expert team can help create a bespoke design that works for you.
If you have a basement or a cellar, you could convert this into a habitable room and add valuable living space. It is a great way to extend your home without altering the exterior of your house. Often, cellars go unused or simply store items that gather dust, as they can be cold, damp, and dark. With a complete cellar renovation, you could transform your old, dingy cellar into a stunning new living space. The possibilities are endless with a cellar. Many people like to create extra living rooms, game rooms, a cinema room, a bar, or even a gym, pool, or sauna space. With clever design and planning, your basement can become a valuable and enjoyable space within your home.
Our experts at EveryTrade can help you achieve any type of home extension you desire, so if you want more details on the above-listed extension ideas or have something completely unique in mind, get in touch with our team today. We specialise in designing and building high-quality home extensions that suit every need. We combine functionality with aesthetic appeal to create an extension that not only looks great but adds long-term value.
If you need an extension in Manchester, Stockport, or Cheshire, call our team today on 0161 464 7177 or email info@tdgcontracts.com.
