If you’re convinced you need to build an extension after the festive season, you’re certainly not alone. It’s one of the most common statements made by homeowners after an extended period of time spent at home.
Combine the time spent staring at your four walls with a larger than normal number of inhabitants, and constant ad-hoc entertaining, it’s really not that difficult to convince yourself you don’t have enough room and your home is showing all the signs of needing an extension.
But, when do you really ready to expand your floorplan, and when is it a case of simply needing to take stock, streamline, or perhaps even remodel?
Sign one: Your clutter is causing genuine chaos
Assessing your clutter in the days between Christmas and New Year probably isn’t the best indicator of how much space you do, or don’t have. But, if after the great Christmas clear-out you still find yourself without a home for all manner of items, it might be time for a serious extension conversation.
“Clutter is a huge sign your home is ready for an extension,” agrees Jessica Smith, interior designer and founder of Curated Spaces. “Not really having a place for anything can so often be the sign you’ve outgrown your home.
“For example, living in a period home can be so wonderful in many ways,” she states, “but often they come with absolutely no storage whatsoever, so building that back in is a must.”
But, before you start searching for double-storey extension ideas, hone down on what it is you really need space for. Is it space for your home office equipment? Or, do the children need a playroom so that their toys don’t overflow from bedrooms into living rooms? Maybe you’ve started cooking more and really need more kitchen cabinets.
Narrowing down where you need to house your clutter can save time and money, as while two-storey extension costs aren’t double that of a single-storey, building one will always take longer and still cost more.
Jessica Smith is the founder of Curated Spaces and Studio Smith, and created a company to help homeowners see the possibilities of their home, spend strategically, and create a home that supports how they live. Whether you’re reworking a single floor or tackling a whole-home renovation, Curated Spaces aims to help you make confident, informed design decisions.
Sign two: You’ve outgrown your current floorplan
Sign two can often be a case of simple maths, such as the number of inhabitants occupying your home being greater than the number of bedrooms in the property.
In this instance, it’s easy to understand the need to extend upwards with a loft conversion, or even adding an extension over a garage. But, it’s not always limited to bedrooms, says Emily Newmarch, design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways.
“One of the mains signs your home is ready for an extension is when you simply run out of space. While this is usually when a family grows, it can also be when existing rooms no longer suit modern, open-plan living,” says Emily.
“We often find homeowners telling us they want larger kitchen-living-dining areas, better connection to the garden, or secondary spaces like a utility room, pantry or boot room.
“The real sign is when everyday life becomes impractical,” she suggests, “with nowhere for storage, cramped circulation, or a kitchen that can’t accommodate how the family really lives. That’s often the point when people explore extending.”
Emily is a design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways, a design and build company who create bespoke kitchens, thoughtfully planned interiors and extensions.
Sign three: You can’t find a larger property that suits your needs
Another sign could be one forced upon you by prevailing market conditions, or a lack of available housing. If you’ve identified the need for more rooms, but there’s nothing available to buy in the area, it might be time to make the most of what you already have.
Signs that this is a good decision can be taking stock of neighbouring properties and seeing if they have done the same. If you see lots of already extended homes in the area, the chances are it will only help increase the value of your property in the long-run, and make it more competitive to sell.
But, before finalising your plans, do take time to speak to local estate agents to check that the type of extension you’re planning will boost your kerb appeal. There might be no point adding an extension designed to accommodate a large family for example, if you don’t live in an area where there’s plenty of schools and facilities.
Sign four: You need a lifetime or accessible home
Another valid sign your home needs extending is if you love where you live, but know that your home won’t be suitable for you in the future when your needs change.
In this instance, extending your home could be a far easier solution than buying a plot of land to design a lifetime home.
An oak frame extension for example, may give you future-proof ground floor bathrooms and bedrooms. Adding a wrap-around double storey extension could help provide space for a lift and wider door openings, should wheelchair access ever be required.
Or, perhaps as was the case for Homebuilding & Renovating’s editor, Beth Murton’s parents, you might need to extend in order to give an elderly family member an independent living space of their own.
“It’s a common assumption that extensions are only needed for growing families,” says Beth, “but that isn’t always the case. In my parent’s situation, a family relative needing to downsize was actually the sign they needed to extend their home.”
Worried it might limit your home if you have a ‘granny annexe?’ Don’t be says Beth. “With good design principles in place, accessible design doesn’t have to carry a label. A ground floor extension with bedrooms or bathrooms can be equally appealing to families with older children who simply can’t afford to buy their first home, but need their own front door.”
When the signs you need to extend might not always be telling the truth
Think your home is telling you need an extension? The chances are you’re right, but before you start marking out the foundations, it’s worth taking a moment to take a more in-depth look at your home.
“You don’t always need to build out to unlock more space,” confirms Emily Newmarch. “We often reconfigure an existing ground floor – removing redundant walls, improving flow, or rethinking circulation in order to achieve the same result without extending at all. Every home is different,” she agrees, “and adding an extension isn’t always the answer.”
Jessica Smith’s advice? “It’s getting really clear about the uses of the rooms that you have so there isn’t just lots of wasted or dead space,” she says. Can you turn a spare room into a dual purpose guest room home office? Could you convert a garage into a bootility room rather than adding a lean to extension?
Explore all your options to ensure you are reading the signs your home is ready for an extension correctly, and not falling prey to mixed messages, or simply the need for a good declutter and clear out.
One final bit of advice before you take your house at its word comes from Clive Holland, building expert and broadcaster on Fix Radio.
“Before you think about adding space, you need to be confident the existing house is sound. That means the structure, insulation and services are in good condition, and you have had a survey that highlights any issues such as cracks, damp, missing roof tiles or ageing electrics.
“Extensions are major projects and they come with planning, building control and party wall considerations, as well as rising material and labour costs,” says Clive. “I have described the current market as a perfect storm, so the real sign you are ready for an extension is not just wanting more space, but understanding the true costs, risks and paperwork involved before you start.”
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