10 House Extensions Ideas That Will Breathe New Life to Your Home

House extensions can make your property look and feel bigger and more suitable to your ever-changing needs. They can give your home a fresher, more modern look, plus provide additional space without requiring you move out or tear the whole structure down completely. Plus, home extensions can add more value to your property. Depending on the current value of your house and what you’re looking to add, your property can be worth an additional $50,000 to $80,000. 

With Australia seeing a sustained house building boom, and with residential property prices rising as much as 15% in Melbourne, house extensions are a more economical and practical way to add more living space to your property. And, you get the added benefit of having a space that’s specially designed to fit your needs.

Thinking of adding an extension to your property but don’t know where to start? Here are several ideas for house extensions as well as tips on finding the right kind of extension. 

Main Types of House Extensions

House extensions come in many types, from affordable conservatories to grander wrap-around extensions. Below, you’ll find some of the more common ones that you can explore to inspire your house extensions ideas.

Rear Extensions

A rear house extension is an example of a single-story extension. And as its name suggests, it’s a single level addition that’s added to the back of your property. 

This extension type is ideal if you want to utilize your land space to expand your kitchen or add an extra room, for example. You can also use a rear house extension to bring the outside in. Usually, with this extension type, you’re either extending your kitchen into your garden to open up your house or creating a space that’s more open plan. You can use bi-folding doors to blend your indoor and outdoor spaces. 

Side Return

A side return is another single-story extension that utilizes available outdoor space. Instead of using the back of your property, you’re turning unused alleyways or side paths into livable spaces. While it’s relatively small, a side return can offer you a longer space as it typically runs the entire length of a room like your kitchen or living room. Instead of having a “dead” space that’s used to house garbage bins, you can create a kitchen extension diner or a more open plan living space that brings in more natural light. 

Wrap-Around

The wrap-around extension is one of the most popular house extension ideas. It combines the rear and side return extensions to create one large, L-shaped space that wraps around the ground floor of your home. With this extension type, you’re changing the layout of your home. You can extend your living area, open up your kitchen space, create a conservatory, or add an extra room. 

Unlike the two previous house extension ideas, the wrap-around can be a bit costly, given its complexity. 

Double Story

If you want to have a lot of extra space, then you might want to build a double story extension. With a double story, you’re essentially creating an extension that encompasses two levels of your home. You’ll be adding an extension for the lower level of your house (rear, side or wrap around) as well as a second level on top of the said structure. 

Double or multi-story extensions are complex builds and thus require extensive planning. If you’re thinking of having this type of house extension, you have to consider how it will match your existing property’s design and architecture as well as how it can potentially affect neighboring properties. 

Over-structure

Now, it’s not always possible to create extra room on the ground floor. What can you do if you want to have more living space? One of the small house extension ideas worth looking into is the over-structure extension. 

With this extension, you’re creating extra space on top of an existing single-story structure without compromising your garden space. For example, if you have a garage, you can build an extension on top of it that can be converted into an extra room. Prior to building over-structure extensions though, make sure that you have your existing structures thoroughly checked to ensure that they’re strong enough to accommodate the new build. 

Other Home Extension Ideas

Dormer or Loft Conversions

Do you have unused attic space? Why not use it to add a dormer or a loft? While a dormer usually requires homeowners to have their roof’s pitch altered, this gives you more space that you can use for an extra bedroom or even a master’s bedroom with an en suite bathroom. 

A loft conversion, meanwhile, retains the shape of your roof. Note that a loft conversion is ideal for smaller spaces but if you need a larger room or a lot of extra space, then you may want to look into a loft extension. Unlike loft conversion, which utilises unused attic space, loft extensions entail extending your ground area upwards to create more room.. 

Porch Extension

One of the most practical and economical front of house extension ideas is the porch extension. Porch extensions don’t usually add more room to a property, but they do increase your home’s curb appeal while still adding value to your property. If you have enough space to extend the front of your house, you can turn a porch extension into a hallway to create a clear divide between your living room and your outdoor space. 

Note that with this extension type, you have to create a design that complements your house’s original architecture and one that doesn’t affect the flow of natural light into your home. Plus, you can’t make it too big or too small—try to keep things in proportion with your house’s size for a more fluid, natural look. 

Conservatory (Sunroom/Glass Room)

Another idea for a rear house extension is adding a conservatory, especially if you want to bring the outdoors in without breaking the bank. And because conservatories typically use plenty of glass panels, they’re a great way to bring more natural light into your home. 

Although it’s a single-story extension, it’s of a much smaller scale and can be added to either the rear or the side of your house. With a conservatory, you have an additional living space that you can use as a living room or kitchen extension or an office. As with any other small house extension ideas, a conservatory can be built to match your specific preferences.

When it comes to conservatories, using high-quality construction materials pays off. This is because substandard materials, while cheaper, can adversely affect your property’s value. 

Garage Conversion

Have a garage that you’re not really using? Why not look into turning it into a room to get more living space? The great thing about garage conversions  is, since they’re built using an existing part of your property, you won’t necessarily have to sacrifice any of your outdoor space. 

Plus, garage conversions offer a lot of potential to add more room. You can convert an internal garage to create a large open plan space or you can create an additional room over your garage. 

What about detached garages? No problem. You can still transform a detached garage into a new living space such as a home office, a home gym, or a playroom. 

Granny Flats

Among other cost-effective home extensions ideas you can explore building a granny flat.

Granny flats are incredibly versatile—they can be used as a space for elderly family members, a hobby room, or as a rumpus room— and are a more affordable alternative to purchasing a new property. Plus, these provide you with an opportunity to earn additional income if you decide to turn it into a rental. 

How much a granny flat costs will ultimately depend on factors such as its design, materials and construction, size, and building approvals. A one-bedroom granny flat can cost around $120,000 and if you’re looking to add an extra room, you may have to pay an additional $80,000 for it.

The thing with granny flats, especially if you want to have its construction quickly approved, is that you should have the right dimensions. It’s always a good idea to check with your local council for building guidelines or consult with a reputable architect who knows your area’s building codes and permissions. 

Given its small size, building a granny flat will require you to utilize the available space. Working with a reliable architect and builder can help give you a space that’s not only functional but also appealing to future residents. 

SQM Architects is an ARBV-registered firm that designs custom solutions that bring your house extension plans to life. Whether it’s an idea for granny flat or 3-bed house extension ideas, we leverage our industry expertise to create designs that add value not only to your property but also to your daily life. 

How to Choose the Right Extension

Given the variety of home extensions ideas to choose from, how do you know which one works best for you? 

Consider your current needs or the purpose of the extension

First off, think about why you need a bigger living space? Are you looking to simply increase your property’s value by increasing your square footage or do you want more room to accommodate a growing family? Perhaps you just want to open up your indoor space and make use of your available outdoor area? 

Your purpose for wanting the extension can help you choose the type of extension to go with. For example, if you want an open plan layout, you can opt for a rear house extension or a side return. If you want to have an extra room without getting rid of your garden, then an over-structure extension or a garage extension may be more suitable. 

Regardless of the extension you end up choosing, it will add value to your property. A granny flat, for example, can be turned into a rental to give you an additional income stream. Now, for smaller builds like a porch extension, while it doesn’t exactly add a lot of resale value to your property, it does enhance its curb appeal and does a great job of expanding the front of your house. 

Check your area’s building regulations

Before starting a house extension project, make sure that you’re well-versed with your area’s building regulations. Consult with your local council or talk to your architect. Your architect can help you create plans and submit them for approval. 

According to the City of Melbourne Building Guidelines and Laws, you may need both planning and building permits, depending on the type of construction work you want carried out. Furthermore, you need to check the building regulatory framework in Victoria so that your project is in compliance with the state’s standards. 

Permissions and approvals come with fees, which can vary, so it’s important to take these into consideration when creating a budget. Some of the permissions, approvals, and permits that you need may include a demolition permit, building permit, and town planning approval.

Finding the right professionals

The right professionals can help you translate your vision into a reality. Check out these tips to help you find the right partners to work with.

Tips on how to find the right architects

You can start your search by visiting the Australian Institute of Architects website or the Victorian Government website. Creating a list of candidates and a project brief also helps narrow down your search.

Once you find an architect, take a look at their portfolio to see if their previous works or design approach matches with your preferences. You can also visit publicly-accessible buildings that were designed by your shortlisted architects. 

How professionals can help bring your vision to life

Architects bring a lot of value to any project. They can transform your house extension plans into a concrete, functional living space that adds value to your daily life. Plus, they can create designs that are tailored to your specifications. Want more natural light or perhaps want to utilize a small space? Architects can help solve that problem and assist you in navigating complex building regulations. 

Custom House Extension Designs for Your Needs

At SQM Architects, we approach each project like it’s our own. Whether it’s a small project or a grand double-story extension, we can create designs that put you, your needs, and your budget first. We respect our clients and believe in the value of transparency, which is why we strive to give you flat rate fees without hidden costs. This way, you can have your dream space without going over the budget. 

We’ll be with you every step of the way, from initial planning to preconstruction transitions, to make sure that your project stays true to your original vision. Discover the difference the right architects can make. Get in touch with us and together, we can start bringing your dream space to life.