Need to build extension that will most likely cover at least half the patio

[Fressia123]

I've been reading about the "half the land around the original house". We live in an end of terrace with a tiny patio (3x5m) and need to build some sort of extension that will create a 4th bedroom. Is this impossible?

Looks plenty enough room for a futon bed where that piano is but let that not distract us

Don't forget the dog!

I have a friend who grew up with 3 siblings in a very musical family but not much space. Her bed was a mattress under the baby grand. It’s a true story!

What? It's never been about the piano! And we don't have loads of money, it would be on a personal loan as our salaries are low (so impossible to port the mortgage to a bigger house).

We think that any extension is pretty much impossible because we have such a small outside area. And I've said that if nothing can be done then yes, we'd keep the current arrangement of sleeping down status when we have a full house.

Where kicking my stepdaughter come into place? She might never have to use the 4th bedroom by the time it's free.

Like I've said a million times we're couple of architects in to bounce ideas with them

I've never said that a futon doesn't fit in that room, but that a dining table wouldn't

Our joint salaries ads up to about £44k and we both work FT. Even with the most generous of mortgages we would be able to get a loan higher than £220k. A 4 bed is at least £270k and we have a deposit of £25k. It's not about being cheap simply we can't get that type of mortgage.

The current dining room is too small to be used as a dual use room. The living room is bigger (or at least feels that way a d thus the one that could potentially be properly extended) but it's not practical as it's the furthest away from the kitchen.

You may have to eat on tour laps. Eat on your laps V social services involvement. 🤔

The idea of a pod in the garden is a great idea if you can meet all the various requirements (planning etc). From your pictures it looks as though the garden is fully enclosed and only accessed via the house is that right?

Could you make it a special space for DSS to spend time but NOT to sleep in? So he has his own space to chill out in and just be, but sleeps safely in the house over night?

Having the private space to game, to be, to chill out might make "only sleeping in the house" more bearable?

@SciFiScream

The idea of a pod in the garden is a great idea if you can meet all the various requirements (planning etc). From your pictures it looks as though the garden is fully enclosed and only accessed via the house is that right?

Could you make it a special space for DSS to spend time but NOT to sleep in? So he has his own space to chill out in and just be, but sleeps safely in the house over night?

Having the private space to game, to be, to chill out might make "only sleeping in the house" more bearable?

I think that's a really good suggestion.

Also, get rid of the baby grand and, if you have to have a piano, buy an electric piano instead. One of my friends is a piano teacher, she used to live in a very small house and so had an electric piano as it took up much less space. Hang the guitars on the walls whilst you're at it.

If I was 13 and staying at my dads eow, I'd be happy to have a "den" in the garden and then sleep in the box room or in the lounge on a futon.

Actually, you’re right op.

Keep the piano, your work station wit two monitors, give the eleven month old the biggest room. Keep your living room and dining room. You deserve the space as you need it.

You kick that teenager out into the garden. Get an outside loo so you can lock him out at night,

Then maybe when your step daughters gets a little older, you can get them out there too, then you can have just you, your husband and your own biological kids in the house, they can have a bedroom each.

Go for it. Just explain it to social services when they come calling because you locked at thirteen year old out the house each night and made them sleep in the garden and use an outside loo. They will understand it totally. Neither you or your husband will be done for neglect. You won’t risk loosing your other kids. Not at all. They will totally understand you need the space for your monitors, piano, dining room and lounge and why they had to be locked out at night.

They might even shake your hand. Suggest other parents lock their kids out the house at night. Get outside loos.

It is indeed @SciFiScream so in that way it's fairly safe. It's not my stepson who potentially has an issue with sleeping in a pullout bed or whatever (has never been asked) as to both his parents him not having his own room in unacceptable and a red line.

@Bluntness100 one of the middle children belongs to the OP.

Her partner has two children (dss and dsd) and she has a daughter from.previous relationships. Then they have a 13 month old between them and are planning baby no 5.

Whoever suggested OP works in a shed/pod in the garden or plays her instruments there is ridiculous. It would be far too cold. Far better to stick a growing child out there.

I think OP is winding us up.

This has to be one of the most mind boggling threads I’ve ever read...

Can the glamping pod be used for the musical instruments and work space? Would that then give space for a table in the living room and then the dining room can be a bedroom? Or have a missed something...

I’ve probably missed something but I can’t tell my arse from my head with this thread

Only if we can fix the 4th bedroom issue, of we can't then we wouldn't have another one.

Yes without a piano then a dining table would fit (barely once extended but it would) but I don't see how the dining room can be turned into a private space so it can be a bedroom.

Which brings back that then the dining room would become a lounge/dining room but it doesn't fit a big enough sofa and a dining table.

But I'm sure an architect can see something I can't

Why do you need a dining table? Why would you prioritise this over a child?

Emma thanks,,

Op, did your husband just give up arguing with you by any chance? Just give in?

Well OP explain to his parents that DSS is going to have amazing space he can call his own whenever he's awake (the time that matters) and he can sleep in the house overnight safely.

He'll be able to store all his things safely, away from the girls and little hands. Have privacy. Have space to have friends around.

Just he has to sleep in the house! Sorting out his own space will make him feel valued and sleeping in the house will make him feel safe.

Sounds like you have a DP problem!

Are you planning to lock him out all night or leave the back door open which surely would cause potential security / insurance issues?

As for the other spaces you should look to boat designs and campervan designs to make the most out of small living. The tiny house movement has loads of great ideas.

I think the box room could fit in a bespoke bunk bed (put the high sleeper and desk in the middle bedroom). Anyone who shares can get a bedtent for privacy and perhaps even bluetooth sleeping headbands for white noise?

LOADS of potential solutions that don't have a 13 year old sleeping in a pod 8 nights a month.

Yes I think it is a DP problem.

This thread is a bit "cancel the cheque" / Groundhog Day because everyone keeps suggesting things that have already been suggested and OP keeps repeating the same objections.

There are no magical solutions other than what's already been suggested.

How come the photo of the back garden is exactly the same as the one in the house sale document thingy? That's really weird!

That's because they're those photos! And no DP hasn't stopped arguing with me he just has no clue how to solve the problem only that DSS has to have his own room.

And yes tiny homes gave us tons of ideas or Murphy beds , etc..

The pod can be his own room. Just one he doesn't sleep in. That's a really excellent (and safe) compromise.