Rear extensions and light in existing rooms

[tentative3]

Looking at a house to which we would be aiming to do a double height extension across the back. Living room is 4.9m long with french doors into a conservatory, we would knock that down and build a similar sized extension, conservatory is currently 2.6m out from the house so finished room might be somewhere around 6.5m.

I'm not worried about the kitchen next door as it has side windows too and an external half glazed door as well as rear windows but the living room only has the french doors and I'm worried it might be a bit dark. The garden is north facing but nothing behind it. Has anyone done a similar extension or got a similar sized room and how do you find the light?

The house is detached so I suppose there may be scope for a window at the side, not sure how the neighbours would feel though.

Yes, if all your living room has is the french doors leading to another room and no windows, it will be very dark. On the plus side it could be dark and cosy, more of a 'snug' than a living room.

Any chance of a diagram?

I was going to ask if the house is attached at the side, and you've stated it's detached. Definitely put a window in the side, it will make such a difference. My mum had house where that had been done and it was lovely and bright, but houses I've seen where not possible due to being joined to the house next door have been very dark

Floorplan should be attached. We'd like to add at least one bedroom upstairs and try and get a utility in downstairs.

Our house has a kitchen diner that's 'landscape' in orientation, across the long side at the top (if it was a floorplan) there is a window on the right and a door through to a rear extension on the left where we have the dining table. The dining end is so so dark, we're trying to think of ingenious ways to bring more light in but it's pretty much impossible. We're mid terrace so can't put a window in. I really think you need to plan to maximise light or you'll regret it.

Yes I agree. It would be so easy if we only wanted to do a single storey extension but I think a two storey is only going to work if we can put a window in at the side.

I would build a big high oriel window into the other wall of the living room.
And see if there are ways of bringing more light into the garden...

Also I would actually knock through what's labelled as the dining room and make it open plan. That will help.

We extended across the back of ours and have a 'snug' with no window in the middle of the house. Where we opened up the house we have a double door width entrance so it does get some light from the south facing garden (we have Bifolds/ 4skylights and another 2 windows in the extension). We also replaced the internal door to the snug into the hall with a mostly glass door and put something like this in between the snug and front room (see picture). We also put a big mirror on the wall directly opposite opening and painted the room white with light flooring. It's still dark though! Some parts of the day it's fine but mostly dark! So we've embraced it as the cosy snug! Tbf it's rarely used until the evening when dh and I sit and watch tv.