Design Ideas for Modern Home Extensions
Where conservatories used to be the go-to way to extend a home, today, homeowners are turning to modern home extensions to provide the additional space they need. Why? Because they are energy-efficient and cost-effective, saving them from the hassle of moving house.
On top of this, extensions are highly customisable, meaning there are plenty of design options that can be utilised to blend the space with the existing structure and interior design.
At Richard Thomas, we offer bespoke extension design and build services. We use the Ultraframe hup! System. This provides custom solutions with an easy design process and a quick build time.
In this blog, we share some design ideas for a home extension.
Popular Home Extension Design Styles
The structure of your modern home extension plays a big impact on the design and style of the space. They often also match the functionality of the space.
While these extension types differ in many ways, they typically share one feature: a solid roof. This enhances the thermal comfort of the room, meaning they are versatile extensions that can be used in a multitude of ways.
Modern Glass Extensions
Creating a similar feel to a conservatory, you can have an extension that is predominantly glass.
These structures will include several large windows, bi-fold or french doors and can even include roof lanterns or skylights.
Of course, all this glass lets in plenty of natural light to create an open and bright space.
They also create an easy flow between indoors and outdoors.
Glass extensions are great for:
- Additional living spaces
- Kitchen extensions
- Playrooms
It is also worth noting that with double or triple glazing, a glass-heavy structure can be just as energy-efficient as a brick extension.
Traditional Brick Extensions
Traditional brick extensions are a go-to for many because they seamlessly integrate with the exterior of the existing house. This is particularly the case for period properties or older homes.
Of course, the brick provides more privacy than glass would, making it feel more like a room than a conservatory. Plus, there are often more options when it comes to energy efficiency, as the structure will be designed with thermal insulation features.
This makes brick extensions popular for:
- Additional living spaces
- Extra bedrooms
- Kitchen extensions
- Utility rooms
- Dining rooms
- Home office
Orangeries
An orangery is the perfect combination of the above styles. Integrating brick structures with a roof lantern or skylights creates a modern home extension that is energy-efficient and still enables plenty of sunlight into the space throughout the day.
These are ideal for:
- Dining room extensions
- Living room extensions
- Home office spaces
Creative Design Ideas to Maximise Space
Of course, investing in a modern home extension is a big decision, so you want to make sure you make the most of the space available.
Tips to ensure you do this include:
- Use the space as an open-plan kitchen and diners and use skylights to increase neutral light.
- Add bi-fold doors to connect indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Build multi-purpose rooms (home office, guest room, or gym) within the space.
- Create feature walls with large windows or roof lanterns to optimise natural light.
- Incorporate bespoke storage solutions to make the most of smaller extensions.
Including some of these features in your home extension can enhance the space, creating a room that is comfortable and meets your specific needs.
Practical Considerations for Your Extension
While designing and considering modern home extension ideas, there are a few factors you need to take into account. These will likely impact your decision, narrowing options to suit your time frame, budget and purpose.
Things to consider include:
- Planning permission and permitted development rules.
- Energy efficiency and sustainable materials.
- Matching your extension with the existing style of your home.
- Choosing windows and doors to enhance light and insulation.
Choose Bespoke Modern Home Extension Design from Richard Thomas
Modern home extensions come with many design choices. While this is great because it offers versatility to create a space truly unique to you and your needs, it can be overwhelming as you go through the design process.
This is why working with professionals is invaluable. The team at Richard Thomas has been helping homeowners across Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire expand their homes to meet their needs for over 15 years. During this time, they have gained invaluable experience and a wealth of knowledge, which they put to use to help every customer.
We understand that everyone has individual needs, and so an extension can’t just come out of the box. Not only will you be using the space differently, but your home’s interior and exterior style will be different. We are able to offer truly bespoke extensions thanks to the hup! System.
This revolutionary system allows you to choose a layout and design that suits your property and intended use. As accredited installers of this product, we are able to talk you through each decision, one step at a time. And to enhance this process, we use CAD software to visualise each choice so you can see how your extension will look before we start building.
Discover more about our modern home extensions and hup! Systems today by calling us on 01202 488944 or completing our online contact form.
