Single Storey Extension Ideas for London Homes: Design Approaches That Actually Work

When you’re thinking about adding a single storey extension to your London home, ideas matter. You probably have a vague sense of what you want. More kitchen space. An extra bedroom. A home office. But moving from vague idea to actual design requires thinking through specific approaches. 

Understanding what design and build company strategies work for single storey extensions in London, or learning how architects london handle different extension concepts, helps you see what’s actually possible on your property. If you want to know more about different extension styles and layouts that fit London properties, or understand how various approaches solve real space problems, you’ll see why starting with solid ideas matters before you even call a contractor. 

Extension Architecture has built hundreds of single storey extensions. They’ve learned what approaches work. What creates problems. What actually transforms how people live in their homes.

The Kitchen Extension: The Most Popular Approach

The kitchen extension is probably the most common single storey extension in London. People spend time in kitchens. The original kitchen is usually cramped. An extension adds counter space, room to move, better light.

A good kitchen extension doesn’t just add square footage. It connects the kitchen to outdoor space. It brings in natural light. It makes the kitchen feel like the heart of the home instead of a cramped afterthought.

Some approaches include bifold doors opening to the garden. This blurs the line between inside and outside. The space feels bigger because it visually connects to the garden.

Other approaches keep traditional doors but design the extension to be bright and open. Good lighting. Light colored finishes. Open shelving instead of solid cabinets.

The layout matters too. Placing the extension perpendicular to the house versus parallel changes how the space flows. An architects london approach is usually to test both and see which makes more sense for your specific property.

The Living Space Extension: Creating Room to Gather

Some properties extend to add living space. A family room. A den. A lounge separate from the main living area.

These extensions work well when the original living room is too small for the family. Or when you want separation between activities. Kids playing in one room. Adults chatting in another.

Design approaches vary. Some create a distinct new room with standard door connection. Some create an open plan flow between old and new. Some use sliding doors or partial walls that provide flexibility.

The key is making the new space feel integrated, not like a separate room bolted on. Good design makes it feel natural.

The Home Office Extension: New Normal Space

Post pandemic, home offices became essential for many London households. Not everyone has a spare bedroom to convert. Not everyone can fit a desk in the corner of their bedroom.

A home office extension is a dedicated space. Quiet. Well lit. Properly ventilated. Not a kitchen table or bedroom corner.

These extensions often include storage for files and equipment. Good desk lighting. Windows for natural light. Sometimes acoustic treatment for noise control.

Design and build company approaches to home office extensions usually focus on creating focused work environments that actually support productivity.

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The Guest Room or Bedroom Extension: Space for Family

Some extensions add bedroom space. A guest room for visiting relatives. An extra bedroom for growing families.

These extensions tend to be simpler than kitchen extensions. Bedrooms don’t need plumbing. They don’t need complex ventilation. They’re straightforward rooms that need good natural light and reasonable proportions.

The challenge is usually making them feel spacious even if they’re modest sized. Architects london approach this with light colors, good windows, and clever storage solutions.

The Bathroom Extension: Solving a Real Problem

Some London properties only have one bathroom. That’s a problem for families. A bathroom extension adds another toilet, shower, or full bathroom.

These are more technical than bedroom extensions because plumbing and ventilation get involved. But the design challenge is usually simpler. You need the room to work functionally. You need good ventilation to prevent mold. You want it to feel pleasant.

Some bathroom extensions connect to a bedroom creating an ensuite. Others are standalone secondary bathrooms serving hallways or sitting areas.

The Combination Extension: Multi Purpose Space

Some of the best extension ideas combine multiple functions. A kitchen that opens to a dining area and lounge. A guest room that doubles as a home office. A bathroom with a small changing room space.

These require smart design thinking. Architects london approach combination extensions by creating zones without walls. By designing flexible layouts that support multiple uses.

A design and build company executing combination extensions needs trades that understand how to make spaces work for different purposes.

Glass Extensions: Maximizing Light

A specific design approach gaining popularity is glass extensions. Large windows. Roof lights. Sliding glass walls.

The idea is to add space that feels light and connected to the garden. Not heavy and enclosed.

Glass extensions work well for smaller additions where you want to maximize the feeling of space. They’re also good for properties with good gardens because the glass lets you see and enjoy the outdoor space.

Downsides include potential heat loss in winter and the need for good shading in summer. But modern double glazing and smart shading solutions address these issues.

Brick Extensions: Traditional Approach

The opposite approach is a solid brick extension matching your existing home. More traditional. More substantial.

This approach works well for period properties where glass extensions might look out of place. A Victorian terrace gets a brick extension that matches the original building. It feels intentional and period appropriate.

L Shaped Extensions: Wrapping Around the Existing House

Some properties benefit from L shaped extensions. You extend one wall out, then another wall along a different direction.

This creates more usable space than a simple linear extension. It can wrap around the existing structure creating enclosed courtyards or protected outdoor areas.

L shaped extensions are more complex to design and build. But they can solve specific space problems that linear extensions can’t.

Rooflight Additions: Making Existing Space Better

Not every extension solution is about adding new walls. Sometimes the idea is improving existing space.

Adding rooflights to existing kitchens or bathrooms brings in natural light. Makes the space feel bigger. Improves the space without adding square footage.

This is often a good middle ground when adding a full extension isn’t quite right but the existing space needs improvement.

Connecting to the Garden

Regardless of which extension idea appeals to you, the best extensions connect to outdoor space. Bifold doors. Sliding doors. Direct access to a patio or deck.

This connection matters more than you might think. It makes the indoor space feel bigger. It lets you use the garden as an extension of the home.

Why Extension Architecture Matters for Ideas

The difference between an okay extension idea and a great extension idea is usually design thinking. How it connects. How it functions. How it looks on your property.

Architects london bring that thinking. They don’t just build what you ask for. They understand your needs and design solutions you might not have considered.

A design and build company executing these ideas needs to understand what the architect is trying to achieve. Not just follow drawings mechanically.