'Extending into the side return has helped create a spacious, new kitchen diner'

Contemporary kitchen extension with kitchen island.

With any transformation or extension project, extending out into the rear of the property is usually one of the easiest and most effective ways to add space. Houses that also have traditional redundant side returns also offer an additional opportunity to extend out to the side, as well as to the rear, providing extra width as well as depth to a new extension. 

This traditional Victorian terrace in Battersea, south London had a confused layout without any clear connection to the garden. When the owners bought the property, it hadn’t been touched since the 1960s and was in desperate need of a refresh.