How To Make A One-Floor House Extension Work Best For You

Photo by Karl  Shields: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-working-on-a-house-renovation-16767783/

If you’ve applied for planning permission on your property but have only been approved for one storey, you may feel a little upset. After all, two floors will make for better value, more room, and wider potential. There are all manner of reasons why you may only be approved for one extension by your council, and it’s usually because of development restrictions put in place.

However, ther are many ways in which this effort could work for you, if you plan it right. How to do that? Let’s explore some options, below:

Think About Footprint & Floor Area

A single-storey extension doesn't mean you can't go big, it just means you need to think horizontally instead of vertically. We’d suggest thinking about pushing the extension out as far as your plot allows, because it’ll give you much more of usable space, and that's something that adds a little more value to the property. Planning restrictions on height might be in place, so make sure you know what the limits are.

Keep in mind that open plan layouts work well here, because they allow a better view lines and give the impression of even more space than you've got. You're not building up, so think about how the ground floor flows and connects, how natural light travels through the space, and where your sightlines go. All of that matters when you're working with horizontal constraints.

Bring In Natural Light

Sure, you might not be able to make a vast space, but you can bring in light to help it feel bigger. Glass rooflights across the ceiling are great for a ground-floor space, as they make it feel open and connected to the sky above. If you flood the area with daylight and make the extension feel bigger than it actually is, perhaps the space will feel more inviting than a second floor ever could have.

You can also help this effect with large windows on external walls if placed alongside the main walkway. Then you’ll be drawing light in from multiple directions, and that's how a modest extension starts to feel generous. However, think about the sun's path throughout the day, because morning light hits differently to evening light and you'll want to optimize the potential of both.

Implement Multiple Areas Within One Level

Just because you’re limited to one storey doesn't mean the space has to feel like a monotonous extension and nothing else. If you integrate different ceiling heights, a slight step up or down between areas, or perhaps raised platforms for seating or dining, you’ll have curated some real visual interest and it’ll feel new throughout.

You can achieve this through furniture placement and use of partitions, which should make separate zones if you’re able. If the lounge area flows into a dining space which connects to a kitchen, the one-floor extension should have more dimension and purpose, and you’d be surprised how much personality you get as a result. 

With this advice, we hope you can more easily make a one-floor house extension work best for you.