Most extensions fail in the looks department before other issues arise. Making the new part of your home look like it belongs will require some early decisions and some deliberate choices before you dig the foundations.
Match Proportions, Not Just Materials
A room that is taller or wider than the other rooms in the house will always look like an addition to the house, even if it is finished in the same bricks as the rest of the property. It is essential to maintain the ceiling height of the adjoining rooms, and try to replicate the openings of the windows and doors of the existing house.
Follow the Rhythm of the Facade
Remember that most houses have solid sections and voids, i.e. walls and windows. If all the windows in your house are evenly spaced and of roughly the same width, then continue this pattern through the extension. A single wide window will make the new section look like a bolt-on.
Choose Materials That Blend
Using salvaged brick for an extension is the best option for older houses. Matching a new brick for colour is not the same as matching the texture and the weathering of the old brick. Render and stone are easier to match by sample but again get a sample panel approved before the commencement of work to avoid any problems at a later date.
Check What Planning Rules Allow
If you live in a conservation area or subject area it is best to check what extensions are allowed under permitted development before designing your extension. This will save you from having to make changes to your design halfway through the build. A useful reference for Home Extensions is //precisionbuildersltd.co.uk/services/home-extensions/.
Keep Internal Flow Natural
Plan where the door into the new room will be positioned to ensure the flow through the house is natural. An extension that creates a detour through the house will look to have been added after thought.
Attention to detail in the drawings to ensure the finished room looks as it always was always there.