Making a house a home is a lifelong commitment, where the practical space that you return to every day can evolve into an oasis of safety and comfort over many years. Putting down roots in this way can allow you to adapt your house to suit your lifestyle, whether you choose to invest in a well tended garden or a warm and cosy interior.
But if you’re living with a growing family, it can be increasingly difficult to accommodate everybody’s needs. You may find that you’re running out of bedrooms, or that you don’t have the storage space you require to live as comfortably as you would like.
When obtaining more space becomes a top priority, you will find yourself faced with two options - look for a new house or build an extension. Choosing to expand your existing property can allow you to make your much loved home fit for purpose, without the stress of a major relocation. There are also many different types of extension to choose from, so you can pick a project that suits your needs.
Read on to find out more about home extensions, with a look at the benefits compared to moving and the various design options on offer.
The Benefits of Extensions
There are numerous ways in which your family could benefit from a home extension compared to moving, where these advantages include:
Saving Money
Although building an extension will mean an initial upfront investment, you will find that you save money in the long run. This is because you will only be paying for the extension to your property, rather than the cost of a new home that is larger overall. Adapting your current home also means avoiding steep estate agents and conveyancing fees, as well as the expense of moving your belongings.
Keeping Your Location
You may find that your current location is perfect for you, even if the house itself is too small. If you’re the perfect distance from school or work, and you get on well with your neighbours, finding a new location to rival this can be difficult. In this situation, building an extension is the perfect solution, allowing you to continue to enjoy the environment you’re living in, only with more room.
Minimising Stress
It is a well known fact that moving house is a stressful business, which is why it can be easier to simply stay put. If you have a young and growing family, you may not feel that moving house is right for you at this time, especially when it comes to uprooting young children from a place of familiarity. As such, building an extension can be a stress free way to get the extra room you need, where your children can remain settled and comfortable throughout.
Designing Your Dream Home
A further benefit of building an extension compared to moving house is that you get to design your new space to suit your needs. Whether you’re constructing a bigger kitchen or a new master bedroom, you will be able to choose every architectural detail, helping you to achieve the interior of your dreams.
Extension Options
When it comes to building an extension, you will have numerous structural options to choose from. The kind of extension you choose will depend on the size and orientation of your current house, as well as your space requirements and budget.
Your architect or building contractor will be able to advise you on what’s best for your property, where some of the most common extension types include:
Rear Extension
This is when your extension is built at the back of your property, either extending out into your back garden or by using undeveloped land that may need to be purchased for this purpose. If you have the space, this is a great option for preserving the look of your property at the front.
Over-Structure Extension
An over-structure extension typically involves adding a second storey room above a section of your existing house. Usually, this will be built above a garage or ground floor room, allowing you to retain the original footprint of your home. If you want to conserve garden space whilst expanding, this could be the best choice for you.
Garden Room Extension
Not all building projects have to add to the footprint of your current property. In fact, you may prefer to build a garden room or annex rather than a traditional extension. These new builds will be disconnected from the main house, providing a discrete, private space that’s ideal for housing guests or for home working.
Side Return Extension
The side return of your property is the section to the side of your house that tends to go unused, particularly if you’re living in a terrace. An extension can be built into this gap, where this makes for a good option if you wish to expand an existing room.
Two Storey Extension
Sometimes, a large scale extension is required to give you the space you need, particularly if you’re currently residing in a one storey property with vertical planning permission. Adding another floor could allow you to create new bedrooms whilst giving you the opportunity to install a brand new roof.
Loft Conversion
Loft conversions are a popular extension choice as they make use of a space already built into your house. This means that a new room can be created with minimal disruption and reduced costs. Consider this option if you’re looking to add a small bedroom or if you require extra storage space.
Conservatories
You may prefer to add an extra room whilst making the most of your garden space, where this can be achieved with the installation of a glass conservatory. These can be used to bridge the gap between your home and garden, allowing you to enjoy this outside space all year round.
Extension Ideas For Your Family
Before you decide on the kind of extension you’d like to build, it is important to consider what this space will be used for. This can help you to make key design decisions, as you will need to decide where in the house you want the extension, and how much space you require.
You could use this space to build a -
● Kitchen extension - if your family is expanding, you may wish to build a kitchen extension in order to add more cupboard space or a larger dining table, helping to bring everyone together at meal times.
● Family playroom or snug - building a separate room for leisure activities can help to declutter the rest of the house whilst keeping screentime to a minimum.
● New bedroom - for growing families, adding a bedroom may feel like a necessity, where these can be built into a loft extension or an over-structure build.
● Home office space - it is important to have a space where you can focus if you’re working from home, where an extension can give you the room you need to be productive.
● General storage room - sometimes you simply need more space to store your stuff, where a small side return extension could make a big difference to everyday organisation.
● Utility room - utilities are an essential part of a family home, where you may wish to use your extension to find a designated space for washers, dryers and cleaning equipment.
Christie's Carpentry & Construction: Transform Your Property With A Home Extension
At Christie’s Carpentry & Construction, we’re here to help you to achieve your dream house extension, whether you’re looking to build a bespoke conservatory, a modern kitchen extension or a new storey to your home.
We can take on property extensions of all sizes, where our team will manage the entire project from the ground up. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
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