Whatever the size of your home, an extension of any kind will always give you extra living or entertaining space. But if you own a smaller home, you might not think you have as many options available to you. However, there are plenty of small house extension ideas that can give you the space you need where you need it most, whether you extend upwards or outwards.

This article will give you some ideas on what you could do to increase the space in your home and often add value too. 

Reasons for extending your house

There are plenty of reasons why you’d want to extend the house you’re living in and can include motives that might be personal or necessary. But extensions require a significant investment, both in terms of money and all the planning, preparation, building, and finishing that’s involved. So let’s look into some of the main reasons why extensions are so popular with homeowners.

Your family or lifestyle priorities change

Often the dilemma for families as the kids grow can be whether to move house or extend. Extending your home can be a much easier – and often cheaper – option to give your family the quality time and living space you all need to live together comfortably and efficiently.

You avoid the upheaval and cost of moving

Moving house can be expensive, especially if you’re moving up the ladder to go to a larger home. It also brings the added, and usually unwanted, effect of uprooting a stable and settled home life that includes schools, friends, and family. An extension gives you a chance to stay in the house you already love.

You can use the space you already have

Your current home can help you make use of the space you already have and one of the most common ways of extending is to use your loft space. Depending on its size, a loft conversion can offer you a simple kids’ room or even a good-sized double bedroom with an en-suite. This is a great way to make the most of every inch of your available space.

Your extension, your way

Wherever, or however, you choose to extend your home, you get to do it on your own terms. From extending your kitchen or increasing your living space to adding a bedroom and en-suite or converting your loft, you can choose to do it in a way that suits your lifestyle, taste, and budget.

You can add value to your home

Whether extending your home is down to personal choice or necessity, it will almost always increase the value of your property in the process. Creating additional living space, in any format, can bring a whole new dimension to the interior and prove to be a valuable selling point in the future.

Small house extension ideas

With all signs pointing to extending and staying in your current family home, what type of small house extension should you have or which do you need? Luckily there are plenty of ideas to choose from to help you plan and prepare for your small house extension while keeping it light, airy, and exactly what you need. 

Conservatory extensions

Conservatories come in all shapes and sizes and can be an ideal way to add versatile living space to your home. These extensions will use part of your garden at the back of your home but can be as big as you need them to be, depending on the available space. While different materials can be used, the key component is glass which makes them a light, bright, and affordable addition to smaller houses of any period or style without planning permission.

Garden rooms

Garden rooms are becoming a more popular and affordable option for homeowners that have a garden but don’t necessarily have the room for a full extension. Commonly used as a home office, kids’ playroom, or dedicated entertaining space, a contemporary, multi-purpose garden room can provide distraction-free space without needing planning permission if guidelines are followed.

Side return kitchen extensions

A side return kitchen extension can be an excellent way to make good use of the little or under-used space at the side of your house. This can be a great feature for smaller terraced or semi-detached houses that will add a light-filled, extra dimension to your kitchen. It will also give the impression that you’ve created more space from what is available.

Glass extensions

Unlike a standard uPVC conservatory extension, a Glass box extension can offer your home both a stunning ‘WOW!’ factor and an exceptional space as you extend out.

The natural light that floods through the high thermal performance, structural glass walls and roof give the unique feel of being outside while enhancing the architectural features of your home. A real architectural statement for additional contemporary living space, a practical kitchen/diner, or a seriously impressive dining room that will certainly add value to your home.

Garage extensions

Extending out and over an existing garage on the side of your home is an incredibly practical and cost-effective way to create a full-height room. While limited to the same floor space as the garage, using this above garage space will allow you to create one large or even two smaller rooms without losing any garden space, though plans would need to be carefully configured.

Contemporary extension with sliding corner doors

A home extension with sliding corner doors can really open up your kitchen/dining space with a luxurious, contemporary design that gives you full access to your garden beyond. With slimline aluminium frames, the full-width, full-height doors and windows give you uninterrupted views out, but even when closed, you bring the interior and exterior together for a spectacular space. 

Small home extensions with GlasSpace

Whatever the size or layout of your home, there are always creative, small house extension ideas and ways to extend and add space wherever you need it, opening up your home to match your lifestyle and needs. When the time’s right for you to extend, talk to the team at GlasSpace about the design and construction of contemporary structural glass extensions.

With over 25 years of experience in creating amazing glass extensions for people’s homes, our practical knowledge and expertise will help you make the right choice for your home and your budget. For more information and to start extending your home, contact us today for your no-obligation, free quote.