Space is at a premium, forcing us all to be smarter with what room we have available to us. Life forces us to accumulate more ‘stuff’ as we grow, which leaves us with very little space to live.

With so many methods to extend your home available nowadays, it can be tricky to decide on one that suits you. There are many things to consider, such as the layout of your property. Another thing to consider is that some forms of home extensions can be quite intrusive. Having to alter the existing structure of your home is a large scale project and can interrupt your everyday life. These are all things to consider when deciding on which way you extend your home. So, before you start boxing up your belongings – take a look at these alternative ways to create space at home or extend your home without moving – and why we believe a garden room could be your best route.

BUILD A CONSERVATORY

Building a conservatory is a very traditional method of adding extra space at home. Often the addition of a conservatory can increase the value of your home, but only when done right. If the conservatory is of poor quality or is unsightly, then this can deter future buyers, plus conservatories tend to be viewed as a little ‘old-fashioned’. The space itself is limited in its uses, tending only to be suitable as an alternative lounge in summer, with temperature control often being a bit tricky. Due to the structure of conservatories, they can also be extremely inconsistent in temperature. A conservatories temperature will always depend on the outside weather which means that they could be unusable in extreme weather conditions.

GARAGE CONVERSION

If you are lucky enough to have a garage, you can convert your garage into extra useable home space. Garages are a rare find in many new-build properties making them a bit of a luxury, so transforming this space for your own use may decrease the interest in your home. Not only are garages a safe space for your vehicles but many people nowadays tend to use their garage as extra storage space. As your garage may not have the same living standards as your home, you will have to pay extra for things like insulating the space. This can increase the cost of your conversion more than you expected.

LOFT CONVERSION

Loft conversions are a practical way to add extra space at home. Moving up into your loft is creating a completely new space rather than taking one away in the garage or garden – which is great! Loft conversions are one of the most costly options to add space at home, as well as being arguably the most inconvenient. Generally, the ceilings on your first floor need to be lowered to make the appropriate space in the loft, which is a big upheaval and interruption to your life. The whole process takes months rather than weeks. As there are tight regulations when it comes to changing the structure of your home, you will have to consider whether your property is suitable for a conversion. As most people use a loft as extra storage space, it may deter future buyers from your home. Not only that, but you are taking away valuable storage space for yourself. Consider where you would store all the items you currently have up in your loft.

EXTEND YOUR HOME

If you have available space immediately next to your home then a single-story extension is a great option that will add both space and value to your home. Single-story extensions are typically the most expensive way to extend your home as well as intrusive on your home life whilst the work is carried out – a number of weeks all in. The structure will need to be approved by buildings regulations and building control, adding time and money to the project. Home extensions can also become extremely stressful due to the fact they are so easily denied planning permission. Planning itself can last months and there is no guarantee that it will be accepted. Finding a reputable builder for your extension can be a tedious and time-consuming job. The wrong choice of builder can be detrimental to your extension and the future of your home.

GARDEN ROOM

As a detached building from your home, a garden room is a highly versatile space that can become anything you need it to be. Natural light, gorgeous views and complete privacy. Perfect for a garden office as a professional space to focus on your work and leave the office behind at the end of the day. Our garden rooms have a variety of uses, with hardly any limits to how your space can be used.