If you’re in need of some inspiration for home extension ideas, you’ll need to think about the details. Adding an extension to your home can provide a wealth of extra space and creature comforts for you and the whole family. Getting it right first time though requires some careful planning, and an awareness of all the features you would to have included. In this article we’ll cover a few extension ideas you’ll want to give your builder a heads-up about before works begin.
Electrical socket ideas for your extension
Tired of trailing hoover leads through the hallway every time the kids make a mess at the other end of the house? One home extension idea you won’t want to overlook is planning more electrical sockets than you think you’ll need. Think about lighting and where you’ll need to illuminate dark corners. Where will you run cables for wardrobe or bookshelf lighting? Will you need extra sockets around the TV for Sky boxes, gaming devices, media players and charging (you might want to plan in some cable management too)?
While you’re planning your extension, it’s also a good idea to ask your builder to put in an outdoor electrical socket. You’ll thank yourself later when you don’t have to run electrical cables through windows for lawnmowers, pressure washers and hedge clippers. You can easily create an outdoor cinema or hook up speakers for kids’ parties and barbeques. When winter rolls around, having outdoor power sockets can also help with Christmas lights, turning a dark and dreary driveway into a warm and welcoming one!
The must-have kitchen extension accessory – a boiling water tap
If you’re looking to enjoy a spot of tea or coffee, or to serve up tasty treats straight from the saucepan, then a hot water tap is one extension idea you don’t want to forget. Whilst they’re ultimately there for functional reasons, there’s no reason they can’t display fine form too – adding the perfect finishing touch to any indoor aesthetic.
Splash out on an outdoor hot water tap
If your home opens up onto the garden, then one extension idea you might like to keep in mind is an exterior hot water tap.
Whether it’s for filling up the paddling pool, washing down the garden furniture before a garden party, or hosing down the dog and kids after a muddy outing, it’s always handy to have a functioning tap in an accessible location.
You could even save money on washing the car or hiring window cleaners by making use of your own exterior water supply to clean things up.
Organise your extension with some clever built-in storage
Extensions also offer the opportunity to de-clutter the rest of your home by making use of some extra storage space.
Larder cupboards offer convenient access to kitchen supplies without compromising on your floorspace, they can also fit seamlessly into the design of any kitchen.
Creating hidden storage with a wall of floor to ceiling cupboards is another fine extension idea for active families who need to accommodate wellies, coats, bags and dog toys.
Alternatively, in households where work or school uniforms are in frequent use, a utility room can offer additional space for laundry, and a convenient spot where everybody knows where to find it.
Let there be light – great ideas for an extension glow-up
Careful thought should always be given to how and where you light your property. When you’re thinking of lighting ideas for your extension, keep in mind any design features you want to highlight, like fitting pendant lights over a kitchen island. Or if you’re planning a large open-plan extension, think about how you’ll use the space at different times of year – do you want to be able to create a cosy TV area with low-lighting, or brighter lighting around table spaces for working at home.
Hallways and stairwells can often grow dark - especially in the winter months – and this can be tricky if your extension serves as an entrance to or exit from your home. For instance, do you need to ask your builder to bury cabling for wall lights along your hallway, or fit more than one pendant in an odd-shaped hallway that has dark nooks and crannies?
Exterior lighting can be just as important an extension idea for both home security, and for illuminating the garden path and any forgotten toys, tools or garden furniture you might trip over, if you’re returning home after dark.
Don’t forget window dressings for your home extension
Window dressings are an extension idea all too often overlooked in the grand scheme of things, but they can form a fine finishing touch that brings everything together. For that reason, it’s worth planning them into your extension design early.
If you’re planning to install bifold doors, there’s opportunity to add a concealed track which offers privacy and doesn’t intrude on your interior design.
You might also consider blinds, be they roman, wooden, roller or otherwise to help manage natural light levels in your new space.
Full length windows can double as a stylish feature and a way to brighten things up, so talk to your builder about the options available for your project!
Ready to make your extension ideas a reality?
