When you look at typical terraced houses built to model the Victorian or Edwardian style, you realize that most of them come with the side return extensions. To some people, this is just a useless region of space behind a home that can only be used as a dumping ground. However, architecture has developed past what it used to be and there are numerous ways by which we can exploit this largely untouched area of land.
In essence, we can expand our homes to the side and create a wide, spacious room behind the building. Side return extension doesn’t just increase the value of a home, it gives you more space to work within the redesign of your property. If you speak to the right architectural design firm, this can also be a huge opportunity to completely change the landscape of your house.
Now, this sounds all too good to be true, right? You might not believe it until you see the plethora of design options that are available to you. The list below goes over 10 different ideas you can try out.
Simple Side Return Extensions with Clean Lines
Think of simplicity and this architecture will be the first to come to mind. You can build the extension with the same so as to match the aesthetics of the original building. You can also install square roof lights in the extension and a set of folding doors right across the back so as to allow living space flow into the garden.
Take things further
Now, remember that you are free to play with the boundary limits of your building. If there’s no rule against the side return extension stopping at the boundary of the house, feel free to allow it to protrude more. This will allow you to run several long units as you desire.
Further Simplifying Your Side Return Extension
When you extend beyond the rear wall, it’s like you’re creating a light, open space inside. The feature of the building is usually the skylight that is controlled electrically. In areas where the population is not as dense, this installation will give you the view of the sky as well as that of neighboring houses. One more thing that colors this installation is the oversized sliding doors.
Use a light touch
Some extensions take the form of a building that was just molded and dropped in the perfect spot. A similar design is one that was formed by resting an oak rib and skin structure that is covered in a zinc material on a brick wall.
Contrasting Side Return Extensions with the Property
A skilled architect is able to transform a dark and narrow space into an illuminated, spacious area by simply expanding the sideways into side return extensions. We can make use of a monochrome palette in the new space to contrast the Edwardian colors in use.
Going Up with the Side Return Extensions
If you have a two-story building, we can help you add some rooms to the rear, giving it a typical terrace look from outside, while you enjoy a contemporary and truly bespoke view from your garden.
Boxing It in Style
Using timber with dark colors, we can create a modern addition that slightly contrasts the existing build. Choosing a dark color such as black will complement the neighboring roofs too and the architecture of the home without overly changing the outlook.

Brick: Mix up it
This is another equally simple extension, but it uses bricks in a darker tone mark, giving it that contemporary feel. You can be able to pull off elegant doors and extensive glazing without going off.
Side Return Extensions with Raw Surfaces
Picture a building with the ground floor extended to create a kitchen-diner flowing into the kitchen. The architecture is such that the indoor and patio areas are conjoined using one concrete floor. This gives the internal space a kind of character. The design can also feature a glass roof with an open view extension so that the diners can enjoy the view of birds and planes in flight.
Infill Extensions
We wrap it all up with an infill extension between two properties that are constructed with a timber frame and covered in the fir. This is then planted with a sedum roof and with this, you achieve that extra layer of comfort and urbane ness.