Eight London house extensions that maximize space and light

For our latest lookbook, we’ve rounded up eight London homes that have swapped unused garden space for contemporary, light-filled living areas.

Rear extensions are a popular choice for transforming side kitchens and galley kitchens in Victorian and Edwardian homes, which are abundant in many areas of London.

The eight examples below show how extensions can bring a contemporary touch to a more traditional home and optimize living space for entertaining, relaxing and cooking.

This is the latest in our lookbook series, providing visual inspiration from the Dezeen archive. For more inspiration, check out the lookbooks above featuring relaxing cabin interiors, kitchens with sleek metal accents, and living rooms with must-have fireplaces.

Victorian terraced house, UK, by Oliver Leech Architects

Oliver Leech Architects retained the character of this late 19th century building while opening up the ‘disconnected and dark’ interior of this Victorian terraced house in Herne Hill.

Prioritizing natural light, the studio extended the ground floor to include an open living, dining and kitchen space, meeting the existing building with a large skylight and window seat.

More information about the Victorian Terrace House ›

Sunny Side Up, UK by THISS Studio

THISS Studio approached this extension in East London as if it were a piece of furniture rather than a conventional structure.

“We wanted to think of the new addition on a domestic scale and more like a piece of furniture that you can sit and enjoy, rather than a typical extension of existing spaces,” THISS Studio told Dezeen.

The practice reconfigured the dark interior of this interwar house that features wooden joinery and a bright dining room.

Learn more about Sunny Side Up ›

Moroccan-inspired house, UK, by Merrett Houmøller Architects and All & Nxthing

The client’s extensive travels to Morocco and the Mediterranean inspired this subsequent London extension.

Merrett Houmøller Architects and interior designer All & Nxthing renovated and extended this Victorian house with clay plaster walls, exposed brick and tiled floors to evoke the feel of a Moroccan home.

Learn more about the Moroccan-inspired home ›

Heath House, UK, by Proctor & Shaw

A dilapidated conservatory and awkwardly sized rooms were swapped for a light, timber-filled interior in this Grade II-listed villa in Highgate, north London.

Architecture firm Proctor & Shaw prioritized natural light and a natural material palette of wood and white brick for the above and below ground extension in north London.

More about Heath House ›

Magpie House, UK by DGN Studio

DGN Studio extended the kitchen of this east London terraced house by three meters to create “a more cohesive and seamless sequence for living, eating and cooking”.

The extension is lit by skylights between wooden beams and features a concrete window seat overlooking the garden with the client’s furniture and fittings incorporated throughout.

More about Stoke Newington House ›

Victorian cottage, UK, by Nimtim Architects

Douglas fir paneling, exposed brick and rough plaster characterize this extension to a Victorian home in Camberwell, south-east London.

Nimtim Architects responded to a brief calling for greater connectivity and openness in the home to create a “place of reflection and sanctuary from the city”.

More information about the Victorian cottage ›

Edwardian house, United Kingdom, by Architecture for London

Architecture for London transformed this Edwardian house in Muswell Hill, which had been untouched for 40 years, using only sustainable interventions and natural materials.

Created for studio founder Ben Ridley, the house was renovated and extended to create a minimalist interior characterized by oak, stone and lime plaster.

More information about the Edwardian house ›

Forest House, UK, by AOC

Gillian Lambert and Geoff Shearcroft of architecture firm AOC wanted to add personality and a connection to nearby Epping Forest when they designed the front extension to their Victorian house in north London.

A single-storey garage was removed to create a series of interconnected and playful living spaces with tactile materials, exposed blockwork and bold colours.

More information about Forest House ›

This is the latest in our series of lookbooks, providing visual inspiration from the Dezeen archive. For more inspiration, check out the lookbooks above featuring characterful kitchens with sleek metal accents, relaxing cabin interiors, and living rooms with warm fireplaces.