Bungalows are a hugely popular way of living, and the appeal of living all on one level is obvious.
Sometimes bungalows can be on the small side, so many bungalow owners consider ways to extend their properties and look for bungalow extension ideas.
The decision about how best to extend will depend on a variety of factors including the size of gardens and surrounding land, and legal considerations such as planning permission.
Roof conversion extension bungalow extension ideas
Older bungalows often have very generous attic or loft space, and converting this into living space can easily add two more bedrooms and a bathroom onto your living space.
Converting the loft does change the nature of your bungalow though, and if the reason for buying a bungalow is to do with mobility, upstairs extensions may not be appropriate.
Dormer windows can be used to give additional head height in loft rooms, and even if dormer windows are not appropriate, roof lights can be used to give huge amounts of light into your extension and as they do not alter the appearance of the roof, as less likely to need planning permission.
Side or back extension
If your bungalow stands on a large plot of land, it may be easier to extend to the side or the rear rather than going into the loft.
A side extension could mean less disruption, dust and dirt in the house while work is ongoing, and could give you a whole new kitchen, living space or even a bedroom.
Modern design uses lots of glass to let light flood into your new room, or even large doors which can be completely pulled back to bring the garden into the house.
Any building work of this type will need Building Control sign off, and you may well also need planning permission depending on the size of the extension and the type of house and area where you live.
This is likely to be one of the more drastic bungalow extension ideas which involves planning and building design, as well as some involvement with the local building control office and notices to neighbours in case of disputes.
Extending your kitchen
One of the main reasons why people want to extend their bungalows is to increase kitchen space and the sky is the limit when it comes to innovative ways to design your kitchen.
Most experts agree that incorporating some sort of eating space in your new kitchen is essential, as this is what families look for when buying a property.
Open plan living is also very popular, so take the opportunity to open up the kitchen area of your bungalow by knocking down walls, checking first with your structural engineer, of course.
Adding a conservatory
If you need more space but don't like the idea of a full scale extension, or cannot afford a large extension, adding a conservatory onto the side or back of the bungalow can give additional living space at a cheaper price.
Conservatories can be used either as an additional seating space, as a dining room or as a playroom for the kids.
The average cost of a conservatory is around £5,000, which is around a third of the cost of building an extension, and a conservatory can be built in a much shorter time and with less disruption too.
