Home extension ideas: 10 looks to inspire your renovation

Ideas courtesy of Victorian terrace houses in London

By Lauren Ro@blauring Mar 7, 2017, 5:55pm EST

Interior shot looking out toward the garden of an extension comprising a kitchen, dining, and living areas. A glass volume above extends upward bringing in even more light. — This extension adds both vertical and horizontal spaces to the 1800s-era townhouse.

English terraced houses, defined as side properties that connect to each other in a row, were first constructed in the 17th century, then gained even more popularity in the 19th century as high-density housing for the working class.

Of course, they’re still very much occupied—and desired—in present-day London, offering folks the (increasingly rare) opportunity to inhabit Victorian era architecture in the center of the city.

Those looking to update or renovate their row houses, which are connected to adjacent properties on the front facade, means having to address a very specific structural issue: how to expand the home while accommodating the constraints of the period architecture.

There’s really only one way to solve this problem, and that’s by extending back toward the garden. Which is how we’ve come to collect 10 creative and fresh solutions—all in London, naturally (and some projects that go up or even out to the front)—that build upon their existing foundations, often to stunning effect. Have a look.

Victorian brick workshop conversion

This example is unique in that the original structure was not a row house but a workshop that was converted into a home and a gallery for a London curator.

1800s university-building-turned-home

This project not only extends backward into the garden, but also vertically, by way of a double-height glazed entryway.

1960s public housing renovation and extension

Though not a Victorian townhouse, this 1960s, government-owned home was given new life—and a bright and airy extension, but to the entrance.

A Victorian terrace home’s brick-and-glass extension

A 1990s-built sun room was torn down to make room for this expansive glass-walled extension that spans the width of the house and connects the ground floor living spaces.

Creative loft extension

Here’s another addition that goes up instead of back by way of a loft extension that makes use of extra space under the roof. It is accessed via a perforated-steel and skylit staircase that allows light to filter through to the rest of the home.

Skylit kitchen and gallery addition

An architect created this lovely extension for his father-in-law, who wanted to be able to showcase his collection of art, ceramics, and glassware. A pivoting glass door establishes seamless indoor-outdoor living.

Extension creates distinct zones in family home

On-trend herringbone floors, marble countertops, and brass fixtures allow for a family to accommodate both the children’s and adults’ many objets by establishing distinct zones—by way of paint.

Asymmetric addition with living roof

Who says extensions had to be boring, flat boxes? Certainly not this asymmetric addition, whose gabled roof allows for even more opportunities for glazing—and for sun.

Maisonette gets boxy extension

Sure, this is a type of the afore-mentioned flat box, but its simplicity takes it to another level. And that humble plywood unit makes all the difference.

Pink concrete extension, full stop

The Pink House features an extension cast from concrete whose color was informed by the red tones of the original structure’s brick facade. This is not your average London addition.