In big cities like London, you always have to compromise on area or living space because property prices are at a premium. Living in Big cities comes with challenges, such as limited living areas. Many of us crave extra space in our houses. Whether for an additional bedroom, an office, a library, or a gym, a side extension is a well-serving and cost-effective option.
This blog post will provide you with unique and innovative small-side extension ideas. These ideas can enhance your house’s functionality in a limited space. They can also include a home office to make your work relaxing and efficient and a single-story playroom for your kids’ fun activities. These creative ideas will transform your home in London into a more functional, eye-catching, and trendy living space.
Why Choose Side Extension in London?
London is a metropolitan city where every square foot counts, making buying more space more difficult. In these cities, side extensions serve right. Whether you have an unutilized narrow alley or a patch of land attached to your house, you can use several side extension ideas to create a living heaven without relocating. This type of extension not only provides additional space but also increases the value of your property.
In the competitive London market, extending a house is a profitable investment; on the other hand, it also enhances the functionality and workflow of your home. With careful planning and management, you can create a highly functional system that floods the insides with more natural light and air without compromising the bank limit.
Understanding Planning Permission and Approvals
While considering modifying or extending your house, you must recognize the necessary approvals. Smale or single-story side extensions might seem simple, but you can’t proceed until your project has planning permission. In London, some buildings have permission for development to make small extensions or alterations without planning permission. If you reside in conservation areas or your building is listed, you must have full planning permission for every extension.
Side Extension Ideas London
If you are considering utilizing extra side space in your house, you need an extensive list of options. These creative extension ideas will play a significant role in selecting your desired innovative and trendy house extension.
1. Glass-enclosed Side Extensions
Glass-enclosed side extensions are the best way to bring the outdoors inside. They include glass walls, windows, skylights, and bi-fold doors, which create a seamless blend between your indoor and backyard. They increase the flow of natural light and air, giving your house an extended feel. This creates a modern and trendy living space with advanced glazing technology, which improves insulation and energy efficiency.
2. Kitchen Side Extensions
The kitchen is the most used space in your house, where you cook and socialize with your close guests. Extending your kitchen to an unutilized alley or a patch of land will increase the area and improve functionality and workflow. This extension can provide an extra cooking space, a dining area, or an open-plan layout to connect with your living room.
3. Utility Room Side Extensions
A side extension to create a utility room might not be glamorous, but it’s a practical choice. You can keep your house organized and clutter-free, which is essential for a compact living space in London. This utility extension serves as a cleaning supply storage, a laundry room, or a store room to keep unnecessary things out of sight. It might add little value to the property but makes living convenient as a well-organized home feels more spacious and welcoming.
4. Small Side Extensions for Home Office
A dedicated workspace has become necessary with the increasing scope of remote work. Extending your house into the unutilized alley to make a home office is wise. It enhances your work efficiency and provides a peaceful, quiet place. It includes inserting a table, cabinets for storage, and soundproofing to avoid distractions. This modification adds value to the property and gives it a luxurious vibe.
5. Side Return Extensions with Bi-Folding Doors
You can create more space with a side return extension, and to give it a trendy, gigantic look, installing Bi-fold doors serves right. This type of transmission creates a stylish blend of indoor and outdoor. By installing these bi-fold doors in your side return extension, which open to your garden, you can fully enjoy the less sunny days in London. These additional features flood the indoors with natural light and make them look more spacious.
6. Side Return Extensions for Open-Plan Living
Side return extensions are very popular in London to create an open-plan layout. You can create a uniform flow by extending your house to the unutilized space and merging your kitchen, dining, and living areas. This side extension enhances the area for socializing and entertaining your guests. You can bring in more sunlight and fresh air by installing large windows or skylights. This modified layout makes your home look more spacious and functional.
7. Small Side Extensions with a Green Roof
For eco-conscious homeowners, considering a side extension with a green roof is a highly preferred idea. This type of small modification has a significant impact on the outlook and functionality of your house. It improves your house’s insulation, reduces local biodiversity, and avoids rain runoff. This unique and natural modification reflects the homeowner’s love for nature and makes your property stand out in the compact building structure of London.
8. Multi-Functional Side Extensions
There is no need to compromise with singular functionality when you can avail yourself of an extra space that can serve in several ways. Multi-functional side extensions are a wise option for using extra space for a home office and a guest room simultaneously without any significant changes. This transmission type utilizes every inch of your extra space in a big city like London, where every square foot counts. These well-serving extensions are best for compact homes with limited space.
9. Side Extensions as a Library
Every book lover has a habit of curling up with their favorite book in the corner of the house. By creating a small library and utilizing extra space in your home, you can create a relaxing book corner. This extension includes inserting cabinets, windows, and comfy seating, which is enough to delve into the aura of your favorite book without any distractions. This magical corner is enough to increase the aesthetic appeal of your house and reflect the homeowner’s love for books.
10. Side Extensions with Skylights
The insides of your house feel dark, and you crave extra natural light but need to figure out how to get what you want. Side extensions will surely increase the area of your house to some extent, but to light up indoors, you can install skylights. It will flood your home with natural light and make it brighter and more spacious. These installations are best for packed urban houses; more than windows are needed to get the desired light.
11. Single-story side extension for a playroom
A single-story side extension is a safe activity play area for families with young children. This additional space keeps all the toys and fun activities bound to one area and keeps the house tidy. This modification is a perfect learning space for your kids under your supervision. As your kids grow, you can alter this room to suit their needs, such as a study room, hang-out area, or a home theatre.
12. Side Extensions for a Guest Room
If you usually have friends and distant family members staying over, you can do a side extension to create a small guest room with a bathroom and a suitable sitting place. This modification will protect your and your guest’s privacy and enhance your hospitality. Side extensions for guest suites provide a comfortable stay for your guests and add significant value to your property.
13. Side Extensions as a Conservatory
If you prefer the vibe of a conservatory but want it to align with the remaining house, there is always an option to create a side extension with a conservatory feel. This includes the installation of large windows and skylights to have extra light and air with a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor. This additional space can be used as a dining area, sunroom, or indoor garden, which reflects the homeowner’s dedication to nature.
14. Side Extensions for a Home Gym
If you love to exercise and prefer a fit routine but find it a hustle to go to the gym. How about having an indoor gym? You can convert your side extension into a gym by stuffing it with the necessary gym equipment. This extension serves best to keep you both physically and mentally active so you can go through the daily workload. This healthy addition saves membership gym costs and adds value to your property in a health-conscious London.
15. Art Studio in a Small Side Extension
You need a small in-house studio to serve and continue your love for art. You can refurbish your small side extension into an art studio where you can work on your hobbies in peace. This in-house art studio can include a sink, built-in storage, skylights, and glass windows for extra light. This type of home modification reflects the homeowner’s love for art and sophistication. This place can serve as an aesthetically pleasing entrance or a hallway for the display of your masterpieces.
Conclusion
Side extensions are more than just an additional space; they are highly functional and well-served. They provide an extra space to reflect your hobbies and lifestyle. Whether you are considering a small side extension, single-story side extension, or just side return extension with proper planning and innovative side extension ideas, you can get a highly serving space to fulfill your numerous needs. Spending on side extensions is like making a profitable investment in your property in the future, as it adds significant value to your property in the highly competitive London market.
FAQs
The cost of a side return extension depends on several factors, such as area, design, material, and contractor. On average, it can range from £40,000 minimum to £90,000 maximum for high-end extensions
The timeline of the extension can be affected by various factors, such as weather conditions, the contractor’s availability, or delays in legal approvals. The estimated total time to complete the single-story extension will be 7-14 weeks.
Planning permission is necessary if it involves changing or altering the structure of the building. Some buildings in London have permitted development rights that allow small modifications without planning permission. It’s better to consult a legal advisor to get a proper quote for your project’s requirements.
