Top 5 Home Extension Ideas to Maximise Space in Your Melbourne Home
A home extension is a fantastic way to create the dream home you’ve always wanted. However, it’s important to consider design trends and consult with a specialist before making any decisions.
Opt for light paints and finishes that make rooms feel larger. Also, use furniture with built-in storage solutions to maximize space and maintain a clean look.
1. Rear Extensions
A rear extension is a great way to add more living space to your home without losing any garden area. You can choose from a variety of designs, from ultra-modern glass walls to more traditional styles that match your home’s architecture.
Depending on your home’s size and design, you can create an open-plan kitchen and dining area or use the space as a large family room. You can also opt for double-storey rear extensions if you’re after a more modern look.
Aside from adding value, a rear extension can make your home feel more spacious. Ensure that natural light floods your new space, and use mirrors and lightweight paints to maximise its impact. Similarly, well-positioned skylights can help you save on electricity costs and improve your home’s energy efficiency rating.
2. Basement Developments
Home extensions are a reliable way of creating much-needed space in an existing property. Whether you need a dedicated home office, spacious lounge area or an alfresco dining space to entertain more comfortably, they can transform your home into a functional living environment that suits your lifestyle.
Full basement developments can be a wonderful asset to your home, especially when they’re finished out well. They are typically a concrete-floored space, which can be built out to be a bedroom, home theatre, or other purpose. These spaces aren’t considered to be a floor for listing or recording purposes, but they can still add significant value to your property.
A single-storey extension can be a great solution for homeowners who want to maximise the use of their existing space. Whether you need an open-plan living room that’s flooded with natural light, or a getaway bedroom for your teenager, these extensions are perfect for contemporary homes. They can also be easily customised to suit your design style. If you’re looking for a home builder that can help you achieve the space of your dreams, speak to the professionals like BP Building Concepts.
3. Backyard Extensions
Home extensions are one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your living space. The best part is that they allow you to keep your home in a neighbourhood and community that you love while adding the extra room you need.
A backyard extension is a great way to maximise your outdoor space and bring it closer to your living areas. Whether you’re looking for a dedicated garden or simply a patio where you can relax and entertain guests, there are many different options to choose from.
For instance, you can install folding furniture that allows you to easily put away your chairs and tables when they’re not in use. Alternatively, you can go vertical and plant flowers, herbs or vegetables using wall-mounted planters. You can also incorporate a fire pit to make your backyard feel like a comfortable, cosy retreat.
If you’re interested in a backyard extension or any other type of home renovation, be sure to contact a professional house extension builders in Melbourne. They’ll be able to assess your property and give you a clear idea of what regulations and overlays apply.
4. Glazed Extensions
Whether you’re working with a terraced house, semi-detached home or a detached property, introducing large expanses of glazing into your extension can really open up a space. This is particularly effective on rear extensions where a light-flooded area can add much-needed brightness to basement or first floor living areas. As the design below shows, a frameless glass box opens this semi-detached house up to the rear garden and blurs the line between inside and out. The use of low-iron glass and an attractive cedar finish helps to ensure the glazed extension sits well with the existing brick home.
Glazed extensions work beautifully with both modern and traditional homes, and they’re a popular choice for people who live in terraced houses where the back garden is often unused. However, it’s important to consider the orientation of your glazed extension carefully since south-facing extensions run the risk of overheating in summer. If this is a concern, you may want to consider installing solar control technologies that reduce heat and glare.
5. Attic Extensions
Small home extensions are a great way to add extra living space and can be cheaper than a double-storey extension. They’re also suitable for terraced and semi-detached homes, where a two-story extension would look out of proportion.
A loft conversion can add a new bedroom, a home office or even an art studio. It’s a smart way to maximise space, as attics are usually the most unused area of a property. And like basement developments, they don’t require digging underneath a property, which can save on both costs and disruptions.
Another option is to build a wrap-around extension. This style of extension can include a rear, side or front extension and is designed to change the overall layout of your home. It can increase your living space and create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces with bi-folding doors and a contemporary canopy. It can even add an additional level to your home – ideal for creating a granny flat that can be used as a rental property. However, this is a more complex and costly type of home extension.