Adding an extension to an existing property is a popular choice for many Australian homeowners. It's an excellent way to expand your home and add a significant amount of value to the property. It's particularly popular for people who need more room but don't want the stress and hassle of selling and buying a new house elsewhere. If you love your home and the area that it's located in, then you may be considering an extension project.

Generally, extensions add value because they increase the amount of living space and add extra rooms. However, a poorly designed and executed extension project won't yield a high increase in value and can even decrease its value in some cases.

To ensure that your extension project is a good return on your investment and enhances and improves your home as a whole, it's important to get it right from the planning stage. Here are two key things to consider when designing your new extension.

1. The right layout is vital

Creating an excellent layout can be the difference between a poor to mediocre extension and an extension that is incredible. You'll need to make sure that there's a seamless flow between your existing home and the new space that doesn't create the feeling that the extension has been tacked on as an afterthought.

This means you'll have to examine the layout of the extension and also the current layout in your home. Often, creating the right configuration of rooms and space will involve adjusting and adapting the layout of the original building to accommodate and complement the new structure.

If this sounds daunting or complicated, it's worth getting some professional help to make sure that this part of your extension project is done properly. Your building contractor may be able to give you some experienced guidance, or you may like to use a dedicated building designer for this stage of the project.

2. Create an aesthetic consistency

Once you have the layout perfected, you'll need to consider how you're going to create a consistent and flowing aesthetic between the old and new structures. This is required for both the exterior and the interior of the home to make sure that the extension doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.

For the exterior, try to create an extension that replicates the architectural style of your home and uses similar features such as windows, paint colours and materials. Inside, create a natural flow from the old space into the new space by using the same flooring and wall colours for a seamless blending of the spaces.

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