In a previous blog, we talked about open plan living and how it was one of our most requested projects.  In that blog Open Plan Living Layout – Existing Footprint, we discussed achieving this with out addition of an extension.

In this blog, we focus on creating an open plan living space with the addition of a single storey rear extension and we look at one of our recent projects as a case study – our Bray Flat Roof Single Storey Rear Extension Project.

If space and budget allow, you can simply transform your home and achieve that open plan living space of your dreams. 

Our Top 6 Tips for a Single Storey Extension

1. Concept layout drawings are essential prior to commencing your extension.  This process will allow you think every aspect through and avoid making design decisions later on in the process.  You need to be sure that you can achieve most/all of that on your wish list.

2. Carefully plan your window/doors to ensure adequate natural light for your  extension but it is very important to avoid starving your existing footprint of your home of natural lighting.

3. Create sufficient natural ventilation particularly if you go for a large sliding door in your extension.  You can easily include an openable window to the side of your slider, or you can ensure that you include openable roof windows (ideally electric).

4. Installing the one flooring throughout your new extension and existing footprint will create a sense of uniformity and space.

5. Be sure to complete an electrical and lighting plan based on your layout to ensure that you have adequate sockets in the right locations etc. 

6. Aim to make the best possible connection between your new extension and your outdoors to create ease of access to your outdoor living, and create stunning views of your garden.

Case Study – Bray Flat Roof Single Storey Rear Extension

The Brief

With this four-bedroom semi-detached family home, they had a very compact utility off their main entrance hall with just enough space for a washing machine, tumble dryer and their boiler.  Opening the door into this space consumed the only available floor area and with the position of the boiler and small window, wall storage was not an option. 

Off this hall they had doors leading to the two rear rooms, the kitchen and dining room.  Their kitchen was very typical for this style of home, compact and lacking storage.  A little window faced into the neighbouring wall broke the tiny run of this kitchen and they had a breakfast table beside a small sliding door out to their rear garden. 

With the dining room disconnected from their main kitchen, this room took on a number of functions, games rooms for the kids, drying room for the laundry as well as a bit of dumping ground.  Double doors off this room connected it to their living room to the front – but these remain closed and disconnected. 

Like many Irish homes, this configuration and layout didn’t work for this family, and they found themselves struggling with space, storage, and lack of functionality.

With an average sized south facing rear garden, they were lucky in that they could consider a sizeable single storey rear extension.

Initially, this family was thinking of squaring off the rear in the form of a lean two single storey extension.  While this would have improved the overall layout, it wasn’t going to tick all of their boxes in terms of their wish list.  They decided to push out a bit more to give them a better sense of space.

Following our meetings and discussions, we recommended that they go with a flat roof extension in order to give them additional ceiling height and the wow factor that they really hoped for!

Project Planning

Our first step was to engage with our engineer to see what exactly what was feasible and then to we worked on the re-configuration and design layout.

For months, we worked with this family working through their wish list and aligning this with their budget.  At the outset, they were not including their existing utility space in the renovation, however, we could see how their utility was not working for them and we knew that if it were included, that we could greatly enhance it.

When we finetuned the layouts and carefully considered the new extension in conjunction with the existing footprint, we were delighted to have a clear roadmap towards a cohesive substantial bright open plan, kitchen, dining living space with a generous utility room off this area.

Project Commencement

With this project, we incorporated a sizeable utility incorporating the existing utility window taking in the existing small kitchen window.  Our customers now had a spacious laundry room, with ample options for wall storage and a home for their additional freestanding freezer. We also installed a new low level radiator.

With the kitchen layout, we ensured that we achieved as much storage as possible.  We positioned the sink within their new island to create a close connection to those in the new living and dining, while all the while allowing for the perfect view out to their garden and outdoor living area.

We opted for a large sliding door to the rear with a window to the right to allow for adequate ventilation.  We carefully planned the scale and location of the fixed roof windows to ensure ample natural light into their new kitchen and dining space but also back into the existing footprint, where there new living space was positioned.

We blocked up the double door from their existing dining room to their living room to create the perfect TV media wall within their new living space.

We carefully planned all the electrical and lighting aspects and sourced suitable stunning lighting for over the island.

Project Completion

An extra wide, extra-long high-grade laminate flooring runs seamless from the entrance hall right through to their new open plan living area.

We purposely re-configured to locate a new fully glazed door from their hall into this new open plan space to provide additional natural light back into their hall but also when entering to draw the eyes directly through to the rear garden.

The colour scheme on this project was central to pulling it all together.  The strong green of the kitchen against the white quartz was stunning.  The island colour in silver created the prefect contrast.  The soft off white, Farrow & Ball All White on the walls, joinery and ceilings allowed the warmth of the floors to project and for the colours in this space to pop.

Walking into this space on project handover day was worlds apart from the first time I entered this home. We have created a light filled, well thought out spacious and contemporary open plan living space.  We have no doubt that this single storey rear extension will be enjoyed and greatly enhance the lives of the lovely family living there.

If you a considering a single storey rear extension, please just get in touch by submitting our form on our contact page.