Is this a good idea for an extension?

[MumofMandL]

Hi all,
We are thinking of adding a front extension to our house as desperately need some space for wfh.
However, this will require blocking an existing kitchen window and we can only go 2m deep as a bigger extension is unlikely to get permission, so a very smallroom.
A rear extension will not work for many reasons as that will mean moving kitchen and more subsctiancial/expensive building works.
I'm a little bit worried that blocking the window will make it harder to sell as a sink by a window is what most people want.
Would be grateful for any opinions!
Thank you!

Have other houses had front extensions? Are you sure you'd get planning for it?

I would worry that this will devalue your house, and be very expensive for little return. It would probably be cheaper to seek out your closest co-working space and base yourself there.

Yes,a few neighbours got permission for 2m extensions so we are hoping we’ll get to too

Can you carve out a cubby-hole office under the stairs (block up the entrance to the cuboard which is in the hall and access the gap from the living room - build in a desk and potentially put a door over it to close it off in the evenings)?

Where else are there kitchen windows? If it is just at the back, you will end up with a long, dark kitchen.

Can you not fit a desk in a bedroom? You can get very small person size desks. It seems like a hell of a lot of money for desk space. How man years would you be working just to pay it back so you can work there? Surely you could put that money to better use?

It's already used as a utility cupboard, we keep our washing machine and tumble dryer there so no space for a desk unfortunately!

No I dont think it is. The kitchen will be very dark.

If any of those have sold since extending it might be worth finding the old photos online to see what they did.

i think blocking the kitchen window is a bad idea

Are there any side windows in the kitchen?
Also are you knocking down the wall between the kitchen and the sitting room?

We’ve removed the wall between the kitchen and living room so there are patio doors and a large window in the room but the kitchen is long so the sunlight will never get to the sink.
It's probably better to use our bedroom which does have space for a desk.
Thank you for your input!

Can you leave the window in the kitchen so it's an internal window and also have a window in the new front wall?

Do you have to block the window?
If I was going to do an extension like this, I'd keep the kitchen window in, make sure there's lots of natural light/large windows in the extension to maximise light.

FWIW I have a "middle room" with no windows (just glass doors) and if you can get the right lighting it's fine.

no window at all in the kitchen?

i loved being able to look out on to my garden when i was in the kitchen and children playing in garden.

have you considered biting the bulletin and
moving?

If you ditch the idea of a downstairs toilet and only go partway across you could do this.lim not sure its worth it though.

I'm not very keen on internal windows tbh…

Thanks everyone! It's unanimous it's not a great idea, that's good to know! I'm glad I've posted!