House extensions - how to add the perfect addition to your home

I have been asked to do a lot of house extension features lately, so its obviously something that is on people's minds. It's a great idea if you like the area you live in, but just need more space. Or maybe your home doesn't flow well, or you want to improve access to the garden, or create your dream kitchen diner? There are so many reasons, and so many different styles of house extensions, whether you want single or double storey, wraparound, glass box or side return. So check out some of the different ideas below on all sorts of homes. There is also more comprehensive information in my other features on this subject on livingetc.com here:

https://www.livingetc.com/ideas/glass-additions https://www.livingetc.com/ideas/small-addition-ideas https://www.livingetc.com/advice/glass-box-extensions

https://www.livingetc.com/advice/small-kitchen-extensions-ideas https://www.livingetc.com/advice/glass-kitchen-extension-ideas

https://www.livingetc.com/advice/kitchen-extension-costs

Victorian homes are prime candidates for house extensions as they are usually tall and thin. This extension has the lot - a two storey extension with a terrace on the first floor level, a large kitchen dining extension on the back that leads into the garden, and a really popular - and stylish - addition, a glass box or oriel window on the side extension. It's all been finished in black, so this family aren't trying to blend it into the original house, they are making a statement - and what a statement it is.

Image AG Architecture https://agarchitecture.net/

How about this for a rooftop or glass box house extension? If you live in a top floor flat, this would be an amazing addition, giving views across the rooftops and making the space feel airy, and bigger than it really is. Architects are now designing extensions with structural glass and structural glass beams for a minimal effect that doesn't detract from the view. Solar glass was also used to help reduce the radiant heat within the building - something that will be ever more important as our planet warms and our weather gets hotter.

Image IQ Glass http://www.designspacelondon.com/https://www.iqglassuk.com/products/structural-glass-roofs/s15028/

A classic example of a side return house extension, it might only be a few feet of space, but it can make a huge difference, especially in a small house. Enabling you to create a dream kitchen diner with better access to the garden, and bringing in more light, especially if you include bi-fold or pivot doors. I love the way they have left the RSJ's exposed here and the roof beams, it gives it an industrial feel, enhanced by the dark polished concrete floor, exposed brick and industrial-style lighting. Check out Industville for similar lighting.

Image: Design Space London http://www.designspacelondon.com/

This modern glass box house extension is attached to one of the Georgian houses in Princelet Street in Spitalfields, just off Brick Lane. Planners are often keen to have glass extensions on old houses as it's still possible to see the original structure of the house, the extension doesn't detract from the old building. This extension has steelwork that has been finished in Olive Grey with a pitched structural glass roof and double opening aluminium pivot doors. A brick skin has been added to tie in with the brick walls of the enclosed garden. Image: IQ Glass https://www.iqglassuk.com/

This design is a 'wraparound' house extension, so basically it speaks for itself, it wraps around the existing building! It has been done in Arts and Crafts style to tie in with the main house, with subtle brick banding, terracotta-coloured coping detail and Crittall-style glazing.

Image: TR Studio https://www.trstudio.co.uk/

Another wraparound house extension but with a very different look. Here, the planners were strict on on the height of the boundary, so an offset pitch was designed that allows maximum height within the centre of the side return as opposed to where the roof meets the existing outrigger.

Image: Russian for Fish https://www.russianforfish.com/https://russianforfish.com/work/kersley-road Photography: Pete Landers

This project comprises a side and roof house extension which has completely transformed a Victorian terraced house. It has created a new open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas on the ground and lower ground floor. A series of half levels exploit the volume and light. Zinc has been used on the side and roof extension as it blends well and has the ability to resist continued corrosion. It is also environmentally-friendly and 100% recyclable. Image: AG Architecture https://agarchitecture.net/https://agarchitecture.net/portfolio/elfort-road-house/ Photography: Rory Gardiner

This single-storey house extension is an open-corner addition with sliding pocket doors that recede fully to bring the outside and inside together. There is no threshold either, so both spaces merge seamlessly. Image: IQ Glass https://www.iqglassuk.com/

Such a clever idea and an ideal solution for a small, semi-detached cottage like this. This 'outrigger' has been extended out sideways allowing a corner opening straight into the garden, again there is no threshold, so no trip hazard. The original back door has become a large window to allow more light in.

Image: Russian for Fish https://www.russianforfish.com/ Photography: Pete Landers