Image credit: Pix Residence by Sans-Arc Studio
If you’re planning to do a rear house extension, you have probably been searching for inspiration online or getting some ideas from interior design magazines.
There are tons of rear house extension ideas in Australia and we have got you covered!
Here’s a guide on everything you need to know about rear house extensions and some ideas to get you inspired for your next home project.
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What is a rear house extension?
Before we get into what you can do, let’s address the elephant in the room.
What is a rear house extension in the first place?
As the name implies, a rear extension is placed at the back of your property and it extends into your current garden or outdoor patio area.
Homeowners typically do a rear extension to create extra space and a larger open plan layout for their homes. A rear extension is also done to blend the outdoor area into the indoor living space.
A rear extension results in open-plan living areas, breathing new life into your existing house and giving you the contemporary home of your dreams.
What is the first thing to do when planning an extension?
Rear extension ideas come in many forms and have different purposes.
At the end of the day, it is up to how you want to make use of your space and what purpose it serves that determines the kind of rear extension you choose.
So with that being said, the first thing you should do is identify what you want to convert the open space into.
Perhaps, you are starting a family soon and you’ve got a baby on the way. In this case, you definitely need more room! You could consider converting your backyard into a playroom or a nursery. A home extension will be perfect in this situation.
In other scenarios, you may be looking to make more room for a home office or a separate studio space for guests. For office workers and students, creating your own personal study nook? The possibilities are endless.
Another important thing to note when planning your extension would be to establish your budget.
How much are you willing to spend? What’s the house extension cost per square metre? Will this project be too costly?
Do some research on the different projects you can create and get quotes. Compare these quotes to what other homeowners are paying and determine if that particular building designer is right for you.
So… what are some house extension ideas?
We’re finally getting to the exciting part! Let’s dive into the most important section, the rear house extension ideas.
Below are some of the best house extension ideas on the internet.
Garden rear extension
A garden extension is a stunning addition to your home, especially for homeowners with green fingers.
A garden adds much more colour and life to your living space and also fills up your living room with more natural light.
As seen in the image above, the skylights connect the home and garden almost seamlessly giving it a more modern look that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
This rear extension completely transformed the small and compact terrace space, giving the homeowners tonnes of extra space.
It is also key to choose colours that coordinate with the existing building so that the design flows coherently. When done correctly, you will end up with a rear extension that gives your home a light and airy frame.
Adding a separate studio residence
If your home has a large backyard and you don’t know what to do with all the space, adding a separate studio residence to your house might be something to consider.
Some homeowners may think about doing a double-storey extension. Like the picture above, a double-storey extension could also be made into a second home, complete with a kitchen and a living room.
With home rental sites like Airbnb on the rise, homeowners may consider renting out their double-storey extension to guests. It is the perfect investment to make. Not only do you have an extra living space to accommodate more people, but you can also earn money off of it.
Granny flats in Australian backyards are also getting increasingly popular so this rear extension idea gives you something to ponder about.
Creating your own garden room
A garden room is the best excuse for you to have your own secluded private space in your own backyard.
You could use it as a spa room, a home gym or a meditation room. Or, an outdoor dining area? Building a garden home like the one above would be a unique addition to any home.
Having a separate personal space in your own garden? Say less.
The timber panels in the picture above add a much-needed sleekness to the garden, making the surroundings more zen and peaceful as well. This might just be the perfect solution for a stressed-out office worker.
Bringing your dream kitchen to life
For houses that are a little tight on space, the kitchen and dining areas usually get neglected. But with a simple and small rear extension, it can create more space for you to build your dream kitchen and dining area.
Like in the picture above, the homeowner has chosen to build another room in his backyard with chic steel frames that allow natural light to enter their dining area.
When there is more light in a home, it makes the environment appear more lively and inviting. The extra space also allows the homeowner to install a large kitchen island as well as a spacious dining room.
The interior brick walls match the external brick walls of the existing building, integrating the old and new architecture almost perfectly.
This idea of an undercover alfresco dining area with easy access to the kitchen is a good way to connect your living area to the outdoor area.
Plus points for convenience and style.
Transformative rear extensions
Instead of sticking to the existing architectural style of the house and building a rear extension with a similar design, some homeowners choose to build a house extension with a completely different style.
The picture features a double-height glazed rear extension that completely transforms this 19th-century home.
The glass windows and wooden elements of the extension add a modern twist to this old building becoming an alluring visual feature of the home.
Many homes in Australian cities are built in traditional styles so adding transformative rear extensions allows the house to become more fitting to the contemporary style of the current day and age.
What comes next?
After getting a rough idea of what kind of rear extension you want to do, you will then proceed to find the right person to bring your vision to life.
It is key that you find an architect that can understand the floor plan of your home and the kind of lifestyle you lead so that they can create the best rear extension for you.
It doesn’t matter if you are extending for a brand new entertainment room, an extra guest space or a literal greenhouse. It is important that you understand the effect of your rear house extension.
So, getting expert project advice from a professional will be very helpful for you to gain an understanding of whether your idea will be feasible or not.
Are there any other things to consider?
Yes, there are actually.
Before you embark on your rear house extension project, it is essential to check if you require planning permission from the local council.
Whether it be a ground floor extension or a garage conversion, the construction of your extension might affect the people around you if it is not handled properly.
It is vital to also check that your rear house extension falls within the permitted development guidelines of your residential area.
The development guidelines give you information on the height of the extension you can build as well as any space limits that you can meet.
You should also find out if your home is in a conservation area or ‘designated land’. For example, if it is near a national park or a heritage site. There might be restrictions on your extension so it is always a good idea to check.
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