When it comes to increasing the size of your house, a side extension is certainly a popular choice with owners of terraced and semi-detached homes. There are lots of reasons why it's the better option than building at the rear or front of a house. Aside from being perfect for anyone extending their kitchen, it won't use up any garden space, plus it often doesn't require planning permission, depending on design and location.

However, the familiar side return extension is not the only way to add space to this area of your property. 'A side extension can be a modest single-storey addition or an extension that enlarges the house at all levels,' says architect Gregory Phillips. 'If you're opting for the latter, extending the roof can change the proportions of the "lift space", which will make an additional extension up into the roof area viable.'

Q.1 IS IT WORTH IT?

It is normally the case that if any extension is thoughtfully designed, adds useful extra space and is budgeted for carefully (bearing in mind the ceiling property prices in the area) that it will add value to your home. However, in the case of side extensions, there are a couple of points to note if you want to make sure it ticks all of the above boxes.

'With all extensions, the integration with the existing house is key to gaining meaningful space, while avoiding dark internal spaces,' says architect Gregory Phillips. In short, you want to ensure your side extension brings in, rather than blocks, natural light to your existing layout, whether you are using it as a kitchen extension or for a home office.