For this trendy family in Bexley, London, we wanted to create a practical yet beautiful space that allowed them to fully enjoy their spacious garden. By combining a wraparound extension with a garage demolition, we extended the home dramatically – to both the side and out towards the rear. Here are all the fantastic details our design team managed to squeeze into this project.
A staggered wraparound house extension
Many people opt for a wraparound because it allows a large amount of space to be created without too much garden space being eaten up - thanks to a good chunk of the room coming from the side of the property. Our designers took this principle to the next level, by getting creative and envisioning a staggered rear, thereby giving way to a patio area just off the dining room. This L-shaped section also allows this landscaped patio to be viewed from the living room, while the second set of doors from the lounge opens up to a secondary patio section, complete with a BBQ area and snug seating.
Open plan living
The homeowners wanted to experience the best of both worlds, starting with a beautiful open-plan kitchen, diner and living room. Open plan layouts are fantastic for families who are looking to spend more time together throughout the day and let you alternate effortlessly between formal and informal dining. By doing away with dividing walls, light from those large windows can travel across the entire space, while the residents also get to enjoy stunning views from multiple vantage points. To increase this connection to the outdoors, we also included three skylights into the flat roof extension, targeting both dining and relaxation areas - meaning no one gets left in the dark.
Practical and recreation rooms
While an open-plan layout is highly desirable, there are some things homeowners don’t want to be left in plain sight. From bulky appliances to dirty laundry, to even your kids favourite toys and consoles, sometimes a little privacy is required in the home. This is why we used the rest of the ground floor for closed-off areas, including spots for all those messy practicalities. By removing a disused garage, we were able to squeeze into the layout a utility room, downstairs shower room, second living room, and even a games room. So whether spending time together or apart, everyone in this home has the space they need!