Rear vs. Side Extensions: Which One Is Right for Your London Home?
Thinking of adding more space to your London home? You’re not alone. Extensions are one of the most popular ways to improve your living space without having to move. But once you decide to extend, the next question often comes up quickly: should you go for a rear extension or a side extension?
At XMX London, we’ve worked on countless homes across the capital — and we’ve seen the pros and cons of both approaches. Here’s what you need to know before making the decision.
Rear Extensions: Great for Open-Plan Living
A rear extension pushes out into the garden, creating more internal space at the back of the house. It’s a popular option for kitchen-diner combinations, living room extensions, or just opening up the ground floor.
The real win? You get that open, airy feel — a space that flows right into the garden, especially if you’ve got wide glass doors that fold or slide. It just makes everyday life easier. Whether you’re wrangling kids, hosting a few mates for dinner, or just enjoying your coffee with a bit of morning sun — that connection to the outside makes a difference.
The trade-off? You’ll probably lose a bit of your garden, so it’s worth thinking about how much green space you actually use — and how much you’re happy to let go of in exchange for more room indoors.
Side Extensions: Making the Most of Wasted Space
That narrow strip down the side of your house — the one that just collects bins and dead leaves? That might be the key to a much bigger kitchen.
Side return extensions are a clever way to turn dead space into something you’ll actually use every day. They work especially well on older London homes — think Victorian terraces with those tight, enclosed kitchens.
With the right design, you can bring in natural light, open up the layout, and suddenly the whole downstairs just feels… better.
One thing to keep in mind: these extensions are usually a bit smaller, and depending on where you live, planning rules can be a bit fiddly. But the payoff? Absolutely worth it.
Which One Is Right for You?
Honestly? It depends. Every house — and every household — is different. Some people need a bigger kitchen. Others want to bring in more daylight. And a few lucky ones can get the best of both worlds with a full wraparound extension.
The key is knowing what your space can handle and what your local planning office will allow. That’s where we come in. London’s building rules? Yeah, we’ve been through them more times than we can count. We know what’s likely to get the green light — and what’s probably going to hit a wall.
If you’ve got an idea brewing, give us a shout. No hard sell, no fuss — just a proper chat with someone who’s been there and done it more than a few times.
Whether you end up going out the back, down the side, or all the way around, we’ll help you find a plan that actually works for you — and adds real value, not just floorplan bragging rights.
