When it comes to expanding your home, a single storey extension is one of the most popular ways of achieving this. Most commonly, they’re used to enlarge key living spaces in your home, such as the living room or kitchen, and can make a huge difference to the look and feel of a space. And, because they’re so popular, it’s very easy to find single story extension ideas!
At Resi, we’ve helped over 5000 people grow their homes, by providing design, finance, and vetted contractor introductions. This means we’ve got plenty of single storey extension projects under our belt. Here are some of our favourite achievements to help inspire your own extension project.
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Combine a single storey rear extension with large bifold doors
Budget: £60,000 - £95,000
Location: Runnymede, Surrey
Completed in: 2020
For this single storey extension, we doubled the feeling of space by combining the new addition with a new open-plan living space. We knocked through an existing wall between the living room and kitchen to maximise on the space created in this project. To keep this room light and bright throughout, our designers incorporated three separate skylights, as well as a large set of bi-fold doors to the rear of the property. Not only do these doors provide a panoramic view of the garden, they also help connect the inside and outside spaces, giving the illusion of one continuous space. This large single storey extension is large enough for the family’s entire wishlist of fittings and decor, including a six-seater dining table, kitchen island/breakfast bar, plus cosy L-shaped sofa. Resi designers even found space for an isolated utility room, which we tucked away so the family wouldn’t be distrubed by any noisy appliances.
Even terraced single storey extensions can enjoy lots of glazing
Budget: £55,000 - £85,000
Location: Lambeth, London
Completed in: 2020
Why have one set of bi-fold doors when you can have two? For this single storey extension, our designers had to be smart in order to maximize on space and light, while also retaining some measure of privacy in this built-up area of London. We positioned the glazing to remain out of view from neighbouring properties, and made sure to squeeze out natural views for areas of the home that have been cordoned off. We used the single storey extension to create an open-plan layout between kitchen, dining and living space. All leading towards a tucked away patio area. We combined two sets of bi-fold doors to allow for the modest green space to feel expansive, as the entirety of the ground floor opens up and is connected to these areas. Resi’s Connect service introduced the homeowner to My Extension Ltd, a contractor with a proven track record of success with residential construction in the London area.
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Exposed brick in a single storey maisonette extension
Budget: £65,000 - £92,000
Location: Lambeth, London
Completed in: 2017
This maisonette suffered from an unintuitive layout, so the homeowners were looking to utilise the dead space in the alleyway of their garden to open everything up and get the property working harder. Using a single storey side extension, we were able to square off the back of the property, giving us space to create a twist on the modern open plan layout. We used half walls to keep the kitchen and living spaces both connected but still with their own distinct spaces. This was perfect for the family, who had two young children and were often trying to juggle everyday tasks with child care. Instead of investing their budget into flashy fittings, these savvy homeowners put their money into timeless wow features. The first is a glass ceiling with exposed steel frames that runs the length of the extension, and brings in reams of natural light throughout the entire rear of the property. The second is an exposed London stock brick wall, which enhances the look of the home with its rough textures and character.
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Experiment with a compact wraparound single storey extension
Budget: £100,000 - £130,000
Location: Southwark, London
Completed in: 2020
These homeowners wanted to maximise on space, while also retaining the original charm of their Victorian era property. To do this, our designers envisaged a wraparound, which would use some of their alleyway space (common on period properties) but not all of it. We kept some of the L-shaped design for the garden, allowing them to section off their green space into neat individual dining experiences. We used Crittall frames on the glazing and large french-style doors to create beautiful views of the landscape, while also injecting some character into the extension. On the inside, we have an open kitchen diner, with sleek modern fittings and windows throughout to show-off the homeowner’s green thumbs.
Consider adding matching brick exterior onto a single storey rear extension
Budget: £50,000 - £70,000
These homeowners found their small kitchen just wasn’t cutting it, so they turned to a single storey rear extension to get more from their home. Wanting both stylish dining space and some practical extras, our designers looked to squeeze as much as they could from this project. We started with the basics, getting a sleek modern kitchen in place with enough space for a dining area next to the bi-fold doors. Many people think you need oodles of space for doors like this, but as you can see, they can be slotted into spaces big and small. We also included two skylights, one over the cooking stations and another over the dining, ensuring ample natural light in two key spaces. What you may not be able to spot (and you’re not supposed to) is the hidden away utility room and WC. These sit neatly next to the space and allow for those unglamorous tasks to go on unseen by visiting guests.
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