Create More Space with a Beautiful Wrap-Around Extension from EA
If you are looking to reinvent the way you live by means of expanding your existing space, then a wraparound extension is the word. In addition, they can be those spaces where one can be particular about effective space utilisation, improved functionality, along with enhanced aesthetics.
In Brief
- Wrapround extensions offer high flexibility in layout planning and designing to make the most of your space.
- They are arguably the best extension choices to maximise natural light inside your space.
- Unlike other extensions, wraparound extensions offer seamless blend of design when combing two different worlds.
- Ideal for vintage Victorian and Edwardian properties
- Most wraparound extensions require planning permission.
- Extension Architecture are your ideal partners for such demanding extensions with over a decade of expertise and experience.
Get in touch with our specialists at Extension Architecture if you are looking for a free quote for your wraparound extension goals.
For many homeowners in London and beyond, space is a precious commodity. Whether yours’ is a growing family or you are trying to adapt to an evolving lifestyle, or you’re simply craving for a more airy and open space, a wraparound extension should be your straightforward choice.
By combining a rear extension with a side return thus forming an L-shape, wraparound extensions offer maximised footprint and functionality, while adding architectural beauty to your home. Whether your goal is to create an open-plan kitchen-diner, bring in more natural light, or simply improve the flow and functionality of your home, a well-designed wrap-around extension can deliver remarkable results.
Transform Your Home with a Beautiful Wrap-Around Extension
Besides adding great square footage to your home, wraparound extensions can instantly transform your home by making it more open and connected. But how do you strike the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality?
Here’s what you should do to realise a well-designed wrap-around extension –
1. Have Clarity
Before diving into design, assess what you intend to do with the extension. Do you want yourself a spacious kitchen with an island? Or a social hub that connects kitchen, dining, and living zones? You can also think of a utility room to hide your routine tasks.
2. Chance to Maximise Natural Light
One of the biggest outcomes of a wraparound extension is it allows for more natural light to flood your space. To make this happen, you can install skylights over the side return extension and add patio doors that leads to the garden.
3. Expand Big
With wraparound extensions, opportunities are several when it comes to maximising space. As they extend in two directions creating an L-shape they maximise space efficiency by utilising all corners and spaces were vulnerable to wastage in other one-sided extensions.
4. Connect Indoors and Outdoors
Owing to their nature of extension, wraparound extensions easily connect your indoor space with a garden or any outdoor area. To make full use of this, think of glass roof extensions, bifold doors, to avail maximum natural light, easy access, and to enjoy a beautiful space.
5. Expansion Choices & Opportunities
This is a great chance to expand your kitchen and make it open plan. Create zones inside and elevate your quality of living. Create an island, install furniture and seating area around the island.
If you are planning for double storey extension, you can build additional bedrooms and a home office.
What Is a Wrap-Around Extension and Why Choose One?
A wraparound extension is a combination of a side return and rear extension, forming an L-shaped structure at the back of a property. This design effectively wraps around two sides of the home, usually the rear and side, adding both depth and width to the floor space.
Choosing a wraparound extension is a smart investment for homeowners who want to increase space, improve layout, and enhance the overall value and functionality of their property, and all this without having to moving out.
Here are the top reasons why you should choose a wraparound extension –
- Significant increase in footprint
- Utilises a wasted or an underutilised space such as narrow strips of area at the side to add extra width.
- Completely transforms the layout to enable multiple usable areas.
- Floods your space with maximum natural light.
- Seamlessly connects indoors with outdoors.
- Adds significant value to your property.
- Can be customised to realise multifunctional spaces and styles
- Ideal for Victorian or Edwardian properties that require space expansion without affecting the authenticity of the property.
Design Tips to Make the Most of Your New Space
Making the most of your new space with a wraparound extension is all about thoughtful planning, smart design, and maximising both function and flow. Here’s how you can truly optimise this valuable home upgrade –
1. Consider an Open Plan Design
This is a must among your wish list when planning a wraparound extension. Open plan designs can be ideal for wraparound extensions as they maximise the advantage of the extension’s shape and layout.
As wraparound extensions naturally create expansive and flexible spaces allowing for better flow between different areas, open plan designs on top of that help distribute that space effectively. This creates a sense of spaciousness, allowing for seamless transitions between rooms.
- Zone the space for functionality.
- If designing an open plan kitchen, use kitchen islands or cabinetry as dividers.
- To define zones, add carpets, lighting changes and floor levels to separate zones.
- Consider built-in seating or banquette seating
2. Maximise Natural Light
Due to the maximum space area it offers, greater is the scope to maximise natural light.
- Adding skylights at the side return to brighten up the centre of the home. Install bifold doors that can open up the extension leading to the garden. This creates a seamless flow connecting the indoors with the outdoors creating an illusion of extra space.
- Due to increased side area, you get the full length to install large windows from floor to ceiling which can bring in abundant natural light. This creates an airy and bright feel inside your new space.
- Use reflective surfaces such as mirrors or paint walls opposite to the windows with bright coloured finishes.
- Glazing is a convenient option. Glazed roofs can make the space expansive and furthermore with ample natural light.
3. Consider Cohesive Flooring
Incorporating uniform flooring throughout the floor area without breaks will create a sense of continuity and makes your space feel spacious and expansive.
4. Choosing & Placing Furniture
You can choose modular furniture, retractable tables, wall mounted options, and slimline variants to avoid crowding of the space. Place furniture strategically to occupy the corners such that there is no wastage of space. Additionally, placing them in a way that does not block natural light from the window should also be thought out.
5. Mix and Match
When you have extended the new space, you will think of rushing the new space with contemporary aesthetics and materials forgetting that your existing space may contain traditional or old aesthetic forms.
Here you can approach for a cohesive design that can complement both the new and old space. Choose colours and materials between the original and the new such that they complement each other. Creating a zone that transitions between the two spaces by means of lighting or floor texture.
6. Think of Usefulness
Adding a separate utility room will declutter your house. If this can be in your plan, it will be highly useful as it frees up valuable space in other areas and provides a dedicated area for storage or utilities.
If you have a growing family, planning another bathroom with an ensuite or a recreation area, kid’s play area can be great options. Your family members, especially the kids will cherish this for a long time.
Planning, Permissions, and What You Need to Know
In most cases, planning permission is mandatory for wraparound extensions. While the rules for a side return or a rear extension are relaxed; because wraparound extensions usually exceed space limitations due to their combined shape and size, planning permission will be necessary.
Below are the planning rules –
- The new extension, especially the side must not cover more than 50% of the original dwelling.
- The depth must be no more than 3 metres for attached homes, or 4 metres for detached homes.
- The height must not exceed 4 metres overall.
The Party Wall Act
Wraparound extensions may call for the party wall act due to the size and proximity to neighbouring homes. If your wraparound extension involves building near or on a shared boundary, you must inform your neighbours in advance.
The party wall act applies when –
- Excavation within 3 metres of a neighbour’s structure, and deeper than their foundations.
- Building a wall on the boundary line (fence wall of your neighbour)
- Cutting into a shared wall (e.g., for beams or supports)
- Raising, or rebuilding an existing party wall
Building regulations are always a must for all renovations and construction projects including wraparound extensions.
Extension Architecture have years of experience and expertise in expediting planning applications and seeking seamless approvals. You can always count on us on such matters.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to upgrade your home with more space, better functionality, and beautiful design, a wraparound extension offers a comprehensive and impactful solution. They offer a smart and stylish way to transform your home, providing the extra room you need without the cost or stress of moving.
Ready to transform your home with a creative and beautiful wraparound extension? Contact Extension Architecture today to start your journey from concept to completion with London’s trusted design and build experts.
