Adding more space to your home doesn’t have to be a big deal

If you are among around a fifth of UK homeowners who crave more space in your home; drastic measures like an extension or even moving house don’t have to be the solution.

There are some much simpler, quicker and more budget-friendly ways to open up your home, whether creating additional space for work or play, or to accommodate a growing family.

The first step is to look at what space you have and to consider easy and effortless options that could make a difference; repositioning furniture, creating more storage space, removing internal doors to give more of an open-plan feel or even building internal walls to create and additional room inside and existing space.

Changes inside the property can be relatively easy to achieve, although any amendments or extensions to the actual building may require planning permission, so be sure to check.

The most budget-friendly way to add space to your home is often through a loft or basement conversion. The space is already there; it is just a case of repurposing it to meet your living needs.

These options make the most of existing structures and minimise the need for groundworks or foundations. 

From turning one room into two, to creating multi-level living, there are lots of ways to change a room without knocking down walls, or in fact, any building work at all.

Here are some of our top tips – and remember, there is a Safe Local Trades tried and test professional for any job, big or small.

• Glass doors are a great choice if you’re looking to create a division without losing light and space – they assist in creating natural separations between areas of the home, without shutting them off from the rest of the house.
• For children’s bedrooms, bunk beds offer the addition of levels within a room. Many now come with storage beneath, or space for a desk for drawing and playing, creating a further, more exciting dimension to the space.
• Converting a loft into a usable space can be a cost-effective way to add a new bedroom or office, especially if it doesn't require major structural changes. Consider options like Velux windows which can be installed without altering the roofline. 
• It might sound like a daunting process, but it could actually be the perfect solution to create more space for you and your family to grow, easily and cost effectively. If your home has a basement, finishing it off can be a cheaper alternative to a full extension. This involves framing, insulation, and potentially extending electrics and plumbing, but avoids the costs of building a new structure. 
• Creating new internal walls to subdivide existing rooms can be a cost-effective way to add a separate area without adding square footage.
• Overhauling your garage can open up a world of possibilities, from an extra bedroom home office, gym, hobby room or cinema. Recent statistics show that more than half (53%) of garages are not used to house cars. Instead, they often become extra storage areas or dumping grounds, when they could instead be used to create a room in your home.

Permission isn’t usually required for a garage conversion, provided the work is internal and doesn’t involve enlarging the building, It is advisable to check that the building is structurally sound before turning it into a full-time living space. The Government website has some useful advice at Gov.uk 

If you are a dab hand at DIY, then taking on some aspects of the project yourself, like insulation or decorating, can reduce labour costs. 

However, we would recommend that for larger jobs requiring expert attention, you contact the professionals.

The findings from an Aviva (Feb 2025) survey into UK homeowner renovation habits make interesting reading, revealing that almost seven million UK homeowners plan to renovate their homes in the next two years – at the average expected spend of £14,000.

Reasons for home renovations

• Appearance (54%)
• Extend / make the house bigger (21%)
• Add more bathrooms / toilets / shower rooms e.g., ensuite (17%)
• Create a home office (13%)
• Create space for business e.g., a workshop, studio etc (13%)
• Remove walls to create an open-plan space (13%)
• Partition open-plan living space (10%)