A single storey extension is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost your living space. Often, it can be built under permitted development rights, saving a lot of time and hassle. So, it can be a much better option than moving house.
However, if we’re not careful, a single storey extension can end up looking like an unattractive box that’s been tacked onto the back of the house – failing to have the impact we were hoping for. But by following these practical tips, you can create a seamless design that offers as much of a wow factor as the largest of extensions.
Match wall and roof materials
Firstly, it’s important to consider the materials you’re going to use in the build. To successfully blend your extension with the rest of the house, you really need to match the bricks. With older properties this can sometimes mean searching for reclaimed bricks but if you’re taking down old outbuildings to make way for your extension, you may be able to reuse these.
Where it’s not possible to match bricks, consider using cladding to help tie the house and extension together. By adding cladding to your extension and a few sections of the existing building – perhaps to a dormer window or porch if you want to keep it simple – you should end up with a cohesive exterior. Another alternative is to render the whole of the outside.
It’s not just the walls you want to match up. It’s also a good idea to use the same roof materials to ensure your extension blends in properly. So, if you have slate or concrete tiles, stick with those for your extension.
Pick out design details and repeat them
But what if you’re going for a flat roof? Well there are other ways to make sure your extension blends with your home.
One thing you can do is pick out an architectural feature from your house and repeat it in the extension. This could be the style and colour of the fascia boards and guttering or the style of windowsills. Perhaps there are details in the stone or brickwork – such as arches, corbels or stepped or diamond patterning – that could be replicated in the extension.
If you are going with a gable roof, as well as matching the tiles, make sure the design copies the slope of your existing roof as much as possible.
Mirror the glazing styles
Another way to ensure your new extension blends in well is to mirror the glazing style. Ideally, you want to use the same style and colour of windows and doors that you have already.
What if your home doesn’t have a single style of window? Well, perhaps it’s worth upgrading the doors and windows throughout your home? As well as creating a cohesive exterior, this would make your home more energy efficient.
If your budget doesn’t stretch this far, maybe you could give your window frames a paint job to help blend your home and extension together.
Don’t deviate from your interior design style
Whatever you’re using your extension for, try to go with decor that matches your existing interior design style. If the rest of your home has a traditional or classic feel, a modern, minimalist kitchen extension might jar with this. And this new and old divide will make your home feel disjointed.
Your extension décor doesn’t necessarily have to use the same colour scheme or even the same type of furniture, but it should be of a similar style and be treated to the same level of personalisation.
For instance, if you like your rooms to have one feature wall, why not do the same in your extension? Even if it’s hard to add in the same level of character and give the extension a ‘lived-in’ feel, you should still pepper it with personal items, to ensure it’s as homely as the rest of your house.
Blend your decor
Of course, the rest of your home may be starting to feel dated or may not be to your liking anymore. In which case, you may find it better to redecorate all of the living areas, taking your interior design cues from your new extension.
It’s a great opportunity to create a seamless layout and cohesive design. But think about everything from the flooring and woodwork to the smaller details like the light fittings and switches.
Landscape the exterior
Even if your extension has been built to match the existing building and you’ve got the layout flowing seamlessly, there is one more trick you should use to ensure it all blends together perfectly.
Landscaping the exterior of your home to work with the new footprint of your home will help to make it look and feel more like one complete building. Reworking paths and patios should ensure your rear extension works in tandem with the garden space and will improve how it functions.
For instance, you might create a path that winds all the way around the exterior to help promote the sense of it being one continuous building. Or you might extend the patio area to take in a new door opening in your extension.