Needless to say, things got a little claustrophobic in 2020. Being locked down for over a year was rough. However, all that staring at walls gave us a chance to reevaluate our homes and look at ways to improve the spaces we inhabit. Now we expect our homes to work harder for us. We want them to make us happy and we want them to give us breathing room.
A great way to incorporate these elements is to undertake a home improvement project, and one of the most popular projects our clients choose is an extension. Big or small, side or rear, single or double, an extension allows you to increase the square footage of your home and transform how it’s used. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some rear extension ideas to help inspire your project.
Rear extension ideas for semi-detached houses
Crittall remains a popular design trend
If you’re a fan of crittall-style window frames, breathe a sigh of relief. They’re not going anywhere. This stylish framing is the darling of Pinterest and remains high-up on every homeowner’s wishlist. And it just so happens our designers are more than happy to comply.
If you can’t afford official Crittall frames (approx. £2,700 per m2!), don’t panic. There are plenty of imitations out there to keep things budget-friendly. That being said, it’s still a large glazed feature, which doesn’t come cheap! Furthermore, we recommend you choose the best quality glass to avoid compromising on your insulation in the name of style. It won’t do your heating bills any favours.
Pitched roofs are back in vogue
A lot of modern extensions once favoured the ‘flat’ look, which offered an opportunity for roof terraces and al fresco dining. However, this is changing as requests increase for classic pitched roofing (and you can see why!)
A pitched roof creates heaps of headspace and adds another dimension of interest to a room. In this project, Resi’s designers highlighted the beauty of the pitched shape by including a gorgeous window beneath the eaves. It matches the rest of the home's design and results in more light, extra style, and a little wow factor.
With house prices rising and square footage shrinking, making the most of your space is the best design and architectural advice we can offer. No space should be dead space. However, a lot of the time – and especially in older homes – a lot of valuable real estate is lost to hallways, which do nothing but funnel you from one room to another. 
If you want to reduce how much your rear extension gobbles up your garden space but still want to expand your home, a small wraparound is a great solution. These lovely L-shaped designs don’t need to take up huge amounts of space, nor do they have to cost the earth to build. 
With the rise of succulents and other house plants making our homes happy and naturalistic, why not incorporate them into your rear single-storey extension? Plants offer a delightful pop of colour and help boost the air quality in your home.
This rear extension design works seamlessly with the tranquil outdoor space. With a classic red brick facade, royal blue sliding doors, and a chequered pergola roof, every element complements the other. What's more, it doesn’t compromise on outdoor square footage. Rather, it enhances the aesthetic and makes it an ideal spot to host guests and watch the sun go down with a glass of vino.
Consider improving the energy efficiency of your extension by applying a ‘fabric first approach.’ This means upgrading the insulation in your extension and the rest of your home to improve how well it retains heat. This Resi rear extension design opted for a ‘rustic charm’ aesthetic by incorporating warm wood materials, double-glazed bifold doors, and a large skylight.
