Planning a Home Extension? How to Avoid Common Pitfalls
I’ll never forget the day my wife and I decided to extend our humble Aberdeen abode. We had been living in the same three-bedroom house for nearly a decade, and with a growing family, the walls were starting to close in on us. The kids were getting older, my home office was bursting at the seams, and the outdated kitchen felt more and more cramped with each passing year.
It was time for a change – an opportunity to create the light, open-concept space we had been dreaming of. We knew an extension was the answer, but little did we realize the rollercoaster of emotions and challenges that lay ahead. From unexpected costs to disruptive construction, we experienced it all. And believe me, there were moments when I questioned whether this whole endeavor was worth it.
But in the end, the result was nothing short of transformative. Our new bright and airy kitchen-diner became the heart of the home, perfectly suited to our family’s lifestyle. The additional bedrooms gave the kids their own space to grow, and my home office provided the quiet, distraction-free environment I needed to focus. It was all worth it – but only because we learned some valuable lessons along the way.
If you’re considering a home extension yourself, read on. I’m going to share the common pitfalls we encountered, as well as expert advice from The Living House and Tom’s Guide, to help you have a smoother, more successful extension project.
Mistake #1: Not Considering the Natural Light
When we first started planning our extension, we were so focused on the additional square footage and layout that we almost overlooked one of the most crucial elements – natural light. And let me tell you, that was a rookie mistake.
The amount of light in a room can make all the difference between a bright, warm, welcoming space and a dark, dingy, gloomy one. The experts at The Living House emphasize that “light is so important that it really is worth considering before you do anything else.”
Not all light is created equal, though. The direction of your windows plays a big role in the quality and feel of the light. East-facing rooms get that energizing morning light, while south-facing spaces are flooded with harsh, strong sunlight throughout the day. West-facing rooms enjoy the soft, warm glow of the evening sun. And north-facing rooms? Well, let’s just say they don’t get much light at all – it’s cool and dull.
In our case, we were extending the back of the house, which meant we had to be really intentional about maximizing the natural light. We ended up incorporating large windows and even a skylight to flood the new kitchen-diner with as much of that precious south and west-facing light as possible. The difference it made was night and day (pun intended!).
Mistake #2: Going Too Far…or Not Far Enough
Another common pitfall is getting carried away with the demolition and knocking down too many walls. The Living House team warns that “we’re all for an open-plan space, but sometimes removing a wall just doesn’t add anything.”
In our case, the builder initially suggested removing the entire back wall to create one massive open-plan kitchen and living area. While that sounded amazing in theory, the reality was that it left a huge supporting pillar smack-dab in the middle of the space. That ended up being a real pain when it came to arranging the furniture and zoning the room.
In hindsight, it might have been better to leave one of the walls in place to divide the space – even if it meant sacrificing a bit of that open feel. The key is to really understand the problem you’re trying to solve and how your family will use the new space, rather than just defaulting to the most dramatic renovation.
On the flip side, expert Bradley Mackenzie warns against not going far enough with your extension. He’s seen many cases where homeowners missed out on transformative potential because they played it safe. “If only they’d gone that bit further, the room would have been transformed!” he laments.
The moral of the story? Don’t get stuck in the mindset of just making do with what you have. Challenge yourself to think outside the box and truly unlock the full potential of your home.
Mistake #3: Ignoring the Flow
When you’re deep in the throes of planning an extension, it’s easy to get tunnel vision and focus solely on the new space itself. But The Living House team warns that you can’t forget about how the addition will impact the rest of your home.
“Consider the impact the extension has on the old house and these transition points, and how they will flow together,” they advise. “What is the best use for these old rooms? If you are altering the layout to become open plan, make sure there is still a clear path through the area.”
In our case, we had to carefully consider how the new kitchen-diner would connect to the existing living room and dining area. We didn’t want to end up with a disjointed, awkward layout where rooms felt like mere pass-throughs. So we played around with the floor plan to ensure a natural, seamless flow from one space to the next.
It’s also important to think about high-traffic areas and make sure furniture placement doesn’t obstruct the flow of movement. For example, we made sure the new kitchen island wasn’t too close to the dining table, and that the fridge and oven were situated for easy access.
Mistake #4: Not Planning Ahead
One of the biggest challenges we faced during our extension was the sheer number of decisions that needed to be made, and the speed at which they were required. From light fixtures to paint colors, the list seemed endless – and our builder was constantly pressing us for answers.
The Living House team explains that this is a super common issue: “Once the project is underway you will be asked for decisions on absolutely everything – and probably way before you’ve had time to consider it properly.”
The key, they say, is to make a comprehensive plan as early as possible. “If you know how the whole design will come together, the finishes, the position of the furniture, the colour scheme, then you will be ready with the answers before the questions are asked.”
Easier said than done, right? That’s why they recommend getting expert help, whether it’s from an interior designer or a trusted home renovation company like ABC Home. Having that professional guidance can take a huge weight off your shoulders and ensure you’re making well-informed decisions from the start.
Mistake #5: Settling for “Close Enough”
This one really hit home for us. In our eagerness to get the project done, there were a few instances where we compromised on things like brickwork and flooring, settling for a “close enough” match to the existing house. Big mistake.
As The Living House team explains, “Don’t settle for an almost match on brickwork, flooring, tiles, paint etc or it will cheapen the look of your extension and make it look a bit shoddy.”
They recommend going for either a seamless match or a complete contrast. “If you can’t match the brickwork, go for something very contemporary so that the new stands out as a feature. If you can’t match the original wood floor, choose tiles instead so that the difference becomes a design choice.”
In our case, the slightly-off-shade brickwork and mismatched flooring always bugged us. It just didn’t have that cohesive, high-quality feel we were going for. Lesson learned – don’t compromise on quality, even if it means waiting a bit longer or spending a little more to get it right.
Avoiding the Pitfalls
Embarking on a home extension is no small feat. It can be exciting, overwhelming, and downright stressful all at the same time. But by learning from the mistakes we and other homeowners have made, you can set yourself up for a smoother, more successful project.
The key takeaways? Plan ahead, think holistically about your home’s flow, maximize natural light, and don’t settle for anything less than the perfect fit. Oh, and don’t be afraid to lean on the expertise of professionals – they can make all the difference.
Best of luck with your extension journey! With the right approach, you’ll be well on your way to creating the light, open, and functional space of your dreams. And who knows, maybe you’ll even enjoy the process along the way.
If you’re ready to get started on your home extension in Aberdeen, I’d highly recommend reaching out to the team at ABC Home. They’re experts in guiding homeowners through every step of the process, from planning and design to construction and beyond. Let them help you avoid the common pitfalls and make your extension vision a reality.
