ePrivacy and GPDR Cookie Consent by Cookie Consent Rear Extension Ideas to Add More Space to Your Home

Rear Extension Ideas to Add More Space to Your Home

5 min read
Feb '26 • by Molly-Sue Moore

Quick summary

Rear extension ideas vary from single-storey options that typically extend 3 to 6 metres and are easier to get planning permission for, costing around £1,500 to £2,500 per square metre, to more ambitious double-storey or side extensions which can be more costly and complex. These options can add significant space, with some tailored for terraced, semi-detached, or bungalow homes, all depending on your budget and property type.

Sometimes it’s simply not possible to find space, and it has to be made. A shift towards staying in was triggered by the pandemic, but all those hours of staring at the walls gave us a chance to reimagine the spaces we inhabit and look at ways to optimise them. And with some of us tightening our pockets and reevaluating how we spend, asking more from your living space looks increasingly like a logical investment. Explore some of our favourite rear extension ideas.

Single-storey rear extension ideas

Rear single-storey extensions are a popular choice for homeowners thanks to their high likelihood of planning approval and relative ease of installation. Whether you’re thinking about extending the kitchen, dining room, lounge, or maybe even your study, opening up these areas will transform the feel of your whole home. Learn more about single-storey extensions.

Side return extensions

If you’re lucky enough to have space to the side of your property, a side return extension (also known as a side infill) allows you to expand out into an alleyway, creating valuable living space out of an unused area. A huge benefit of this is using up unutilised space, rather than cutting into your garden, making it the perfect choice for people living in areas where greenery is at a premium.

Rear extension idea - side return extension
Side return extension
© Resi Project. Photographer: Veronica Rodriguez

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