5 Times a Small Extension Made a Huge Difference
Find out how these homes were transformed by relatively small additions
Amanda Pollard
7 February 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
As many architects know, it’s not always necessary to go for a massive extension – in fact, a small one can often work just as well. Check out these five projects where a modest addition has been key to transforming the space.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Make a connection
A side-return extension of just 4 sq m was enough to transform this kitchen and dining room. The extra area allowed the architects to link the two rooms, bringing more space and lots of light into the previously dark kitchen.
A side-return extension of just 4 sq m was enough to transform this kitchen and dining room. The extra area allowed the architects to link the two rooms, bringing more space and lots of light into the previously dark kitchen.
The extension created a bright connecting area, and provided an opportunity to add more storage and work surfaces to the kitchen.
The architects also widened the opening at the back of the dining room, which added to the light, airy feel.
See more of this revamp of a dark kitchen.
See more of this revamp of a dark kitchen.
Introduce a line of glass
To create an open-plan living space in this Victorian home, the architects added a side infill extension of 7.5 sq m. The new construction is connected to the old building with a margin of glass, which floods the space with light.
The perimeter units are located in the new extension, and the kitchen designer chose mirrored wall cabinets to reflect the light even further.
To create an open-plan living space in this Victorian home, the architects added a side infill extension of 7.5 sq m. The new construction is connected to the old building with a margin of glass, which floods the space with light.
The perimeter units are located in the new extension, and the kitchen designer chose mirrored wall cabinets to reflect the light even further.
The extension was covered with black cladding, which helps it to recede into the background and highlights the red bricks of the original house.
Tour the whole of this open-plan space.
Tour the whole of this open-plan space.
Inch forwards
The plot of this 1960s ex-council house offered limited opportunity for extending, so the architects who live here had to do some smart thinking.
The old coal shed at the front of the property had already been converted into an internal space, but it was cramped and cold. The solution? The owners enlarged it by 6 sq m and made it the same height as the rest of the ground floor.
The plot of this 1960s ex-council house offered limited opportunity for extending, so the architects who live here had to do some smart thinking.
The old coal shed at the front of the property had already been converted into an internal space, but it was cramped and cold. The solution? The owners enlarged it by 6 sq m and made it the same height as the rest of the ground floor.
Now there’s enough room for a separate studio, cloakroom and utility area, as well as useful hallway storage.
Find out how this 1960s terraced house was given a fresh makeover.
Find out how this 1960s terraced house was given a fresh makeover.
Retain some outdoor space
This Victorian house has been opened up by building a side-return extension of 1.9m x 4.5m.
The architects decided not to extend the full length, so the owners could retain as much of the courtyard as possible, but the new space was large enough to transform the kitchen and dining room.
This Victorian house has been opened up by building a side-return extension of 1.9m x 4.5m.
The architects decided not to extend the full length, so the owners could retain as much of the courtyard as possible, but the new space was large enough to transform the kitchen and dining room.
The new dining area is flooded with light from the extension’s full-length skylight. Vertical panels along the glazing also help to reflect light into the living room beyond.
Find architects in your neighbourhood and read their reviews.
Find architects in your neighbourhood and read their reviews.
Retaining a section of the courtyard and adding glazed walls allows the owners to look out from the kitchen and feel as if they’re cooking in the garden.
Discover more about this light kitchen and dining space.
Discover more about this light kitchen and dining space.
Keep things cosy
The owners of this home were told by their builders that the difference in cost between a full-width extension and a smaller one would be minimal, but that didn’t convince them to go large.
They wanted their new kitchen to sit next to a sheltered outdoor seating and dining area, so an offshoot extension was ideal. The new addition is just 1.87m wide and 2.14m long, but it’s created a seamless, open-plan feel between the dining and kitchen areas.
See the rest of this small and cosy family-friendly kitchen.
Tell us…
Are you planning to extend your property? Will you be going for a small or large construction? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
The owners of this home were told by their builders that the difference in cost between a full-width extension and a smaller one would be minimal, but that didn’t convince them to go large.
They wanted their new kitchen to sit next to a sheltered outdoor seating and dining area, so an offshoot extension was ideal. The new addition is just 1.87m wide and 2.14m long, but it’s created a seamless, open-plan feel between the dining and kitchen areas.
See the rest of this small and cosy family-friendly kitchen.
Tell us…
Are you planning to extend your property? Will you be going for a small or large construction? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
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What kind of design do you have?
Lovely ideas here, especially the kitchen extensions.
We're thinking of extending just by adding a box window, that would accommodate sink and dishwasher from the kitchen. The existing window faces south, so this small extention would still let in plenty more of light. And the kitchen would flow much better!
But we have two concerns. The first one is, this side is at the front of the property, but I hope the council will grant us permission to extend because the former garage (converted to a study adjacent to the kitchen) protudes about a metre beyond the house front wall. The second is cost : how much would such an extension cost? Would it be economically reasonable?