In a city where space is always at a premium, it’s no surprise that Londoners are getting creative with how they extend their homes. At XMX London, we’ve worked on all kinds of house extensions — from compact kitchen projects to modern garden rooms — and each one brings its own unique set of benefits.
If you’re thinking about improving your home but not sure what kind of extension fits your lifestyle or budget, here’s a look at the most popular types of extensions we see across the capital.
Content
1. Kitchen Extensions
Kitchen extensions are, hands down, the request we hear the most around London. And it’s not just about squeezing in a bigger cooker or more cupboards. When the kitchen grows, the whole feel of the house changes. It turns into the place where life actually happens — cooking, kids spreading books across the table, friends chatting over a glass of wine. Rear and side-return kitchen extensions are especially popular in terraces. They open up cramped layouts and make space for the things people really want these days — islands, bigger dining tables, or a proper open-plan setup.
2. Rear Extensions
Rear extensions are ideal for homes with a bit of garden space. They push out the back of the property and are great for expanding living rooms, kitchens, or even adding new spaces entirely. They’re often more straightforward to get approved compared to other types and can dramatically improve the flow of the ground floor.
3. Side-Return Extensions
If you’ve got a Victorian or Edwardian house, chances are there’s that skinny side passage running down one edge of your home — usually wasted on bins and bikes. A side-return extension fills that strip in, pushing the kitchen outwards and letting in more light. It doesn’t feel dramatic at first glance, but it can make a massive difference: a kitchen that finally feels wide enough, a brighter ground floor, and extra space that doesn’t steal too much of your garden.
4. Wraparound Extensions
If you really want to open things up, the wraparound is the way to go. It’s basically a rear and side extension joined together, so you end up with that big L-shape running along the back of the house. The main win here is flexibility — you can carve out a proper kitchen-diner, add a lounge area, or just keep it as one big open space.
Of course, it’s not the easiest or cheapest job. There’s more structure involved, more planning, and usually a bigger price tag. But when it’s finished, the difference is massive — loads more light, plenty of usable space, and a downstairs that finally feels like it works the way it should.
5. Garden Rooms
TWe’ve had a noticeable rise in garden room projects over the past few years — and it’s easy to see why. People are realising they don’t always need to build onto the house to gain useful space. And the best part? In many cases, you won’t even need full planning permission. It’s flexible, it’s customisable — and it keeps your main home layout untouched.
The truth is, it’s not just about square metres. A good extension — whether it’s a kitchen you actually want to cook in, or a small studio where you can focus — can completely shift the way your home feels. We’ve watched plenty of homeowners completely rethink how they use their place after adding the right extension. Got an idea in your head — even if it’s just a sketch on the back of an envelope? Drop us a call at XMX London and we’ll talk it over, no fuss.
Shery Walls is a dedicated home blogger who has been blogging for over six years. She covers everything home related. Shery also loves writing posts about her travels to Europe with her husband and two children.
