Narrow Garden Extension London: Solutions for Small Gardens
Narrow garden extension strategies: 3-6m depth options, two storey for minimal footprint, vertical design. 10-20m² extensions £35k-£75k. Preserve usable garden while adding critical space.
Quick Solutions
- 3m shallow extension: Qualifies as PD, preserves 80% of garden, costs £35k-£55k
- Two storey 3m × 4m: 24m² space across two floors, minimal garden loss, £70k-£95k
- Vertical garden design: Green walls, raised planters, maximizes remaining space
- Strategic glazing: Full-width doors make garden feel larger, visual connection
The Narrow Garden Challenge: Common in London
Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses typically have gardens 8-15m long × 4-6m wide. According to MATA Architects, extending into these narrow spaces requires careful planning to avoid consuming the entire garden while still gaining meaningful floor area.
Typical Narrow Garden Dimensions
Small (8-10m long)
- • Total garden: 32-50m²
- • Max 3m extension depth
- • Leaves 5-7m garden
- • Extension: 12-18m²
Medium (10-15m long)
- • Total garden: 50-75m²
- • Max 4-6m extension depth
- • Leaves 6-11m garden
- • Extension: 16-30m²
Large (15-20m long)
- • Total garden: 75-100m²
- • Max 6-8m extension depth
- • Leaves 9-14m garden
- • Extension: 24-40m²
Golden rule for narrow gardens: Preserve minimum 6-8m usable garden length. Below this, garden becomes "patio" not "garden" - impacts property value and quality of life. On 10m garden, maximum 3-4m extension depth. On 15m garden, maximum 6-7m depth.
Extension Depth Options: Planning Permission Impact
According to 4D Planning, extension depth determines whether you need planning permission. For narrow gardens, shallow extensions often qualify under permitted development.
Option 1: 3m Shallow Extension (Recommended for Gardens Under 12m)
Specifications:
- • Depth: 3m from rear wall
- • Width: Full house width (4-5m typical)
- • Floor area: 12-15m² per storey
- • Garden loss: 12-15m² only
Cost & Timeline:
- • Single storey: £35k-£55k
- • Two storey: £70k-£95k
- • Planning: PD (no permission needed)
- • Timeline: 12-16 weeks build
Best For:
Gardens under 12m long where preserving garden is priority. Qualifies as permitted development for terraced/semi houses. Two storey option delivers 24-30m² across two floors for minimal footprint - excellent value.
Option 2: 4-5m Medium Extension
Specifications:
- • Depth: 4-5m from rear wall
- • Width: Full house width
- • Floor area: 16-25m² per storey
- • Garden loss: 16-25m²
Cost & Timeline:
- • Single storey: £55k-£85k
- • Two storey: £95k-£135k
- • Planning: May need permission
- • Timeline: 16-20 weeks + planning
Best For:
Gardens 12-15m long. Detached houses qualify under PD for 4m depth. Terraced/semi need planning permission or prior approval. Provides proper room-sized extension vs cramped 3m depth.
Option 3: 6m+ Deep Extension (Prior Approval Route)
Specifications:
- • Depth: 6m (terrace) or 8m (detached)
- • Width: Full house width
- • Floor area: 24-40m²
- • Garden loss: 24-40m²
Cost & Timeline:
- • Single storey: £75k-£130k
- • Planning: Prior approval (42 days)
- • Neighbor objection risk: High
- • Timeline: 16-20 weeks + approval
Best For:
Gardens 15m+ long only. Requires prior approval process - neighbors can object. On narrow gardens, 6m extension often feels excessive and consumes too much outdoor space. Consider whether two storey 4m provides similar floor area with less garden loss.
Design Strategies for Narrow Garden Extensions
1. Go Vertical: Two Storey Over Single Storey
On narrow gardens, two storey extensions deliver maximum space with minimal footprint. 3m deep two storey (24-30m² total) provides more usable area than 6m single storey (24-30m²) while preserving 3m more garden length.
Example: 10m garden
Option A: 6m single storey = 24m² space, 4m garden left ❌ Garden too small
Option B: 3m two storey = 24m² space, 7m garden left ✓ Functional garden remains
Option B costs £15k-£25k more but preserves garden value (worth £5k-£10k) and provides usable outdoor space.
2. Full-Width Glazing: Visual Garden Expansion
Large sliding or bi-fold doors (3-5m wide) make remaining garden feel much larger. Open doors create seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Even closed, visual connection prevents feeling cramped.
- •Bi-fold doors: £3k-£6k for 4m width (aluminium, double-glazed)
- •Sliding doors: £2.5k-£5k for 4m width (easier operation, less stacking space)
- •Roof lights: £1k-£2k each (brings light deeper into extension)
Budget 15-20% of extension cost for glazing. Worth it on narrow gardens - quality doors make small space feel spacious.
3. Vertical Garden Design: Maximize Remaining Space
After extension, remaining garden is small. Vertical planting and clever design makes it feel larger and more functional.
Vertical Solutions:
- • Green walls on extension rear (£800-£2k)
- • Raised planters along boundaries (£500-£1.5k)
- • Climbing plants on trellis (£200-£600)
- • Tiered pots/vertical planters (£150-£400)
Space Optimization:
- • Fold-down dining table on wall (£200-£500)
- • Built-in seating with storage (£800-£2k)
- • Lighting for evening use (£300-£800)
- • Geometric paving for width illusion (£1.5k-£3k)
4. Step-Back Design: Preserve Light to Garden
On very narrow plots (4-5m wide), extension walls can create tunnel effect. Step-back design (second floor set back 1-1.5m from ground floor) maintains light and reduces visual bulk.
Step-Back Benefits:
- • Ground floor: 4m × 3m = 12m²
- • First floor: 4m × 2m = 8m² (set back 1m)
- • Total: 20m² vs 24m² full two storey
- • Cost: Similar (same foundations, slightly less wall area)
- • Benefit: Terrace/balcony on first floor, more light to garden
Good compromise for 3-4m wide extensions where full-width two storey would be oppressive.
Narrow Garden Extension Costs London 2025
| Extension Type | Floor Area | Garden Loss | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3m Single Storey | 12-15m² | 12-15m² | £35k-£55k | 8-12m gardens, need kitchen-diner only |
| 3m Two Storey | 24-30m² | 12-15m² | £70k-£95k | 8-12m gardens, need bedroom too (best value) |
| 4-5m Single Storey | 16-25m² | 16-25m² | £55k-£85k | 12-15m gardens, spacious kitchen-diner priority |
| 6m Single Storey | 24-30m² | 24-30m² | £75k-£105k | 15m+ gardens only (consumes too much otherwise) |
Cost efficiency tip: On narrow gardens under 12m, three storey 3m extension (24-30m² for £70k-£95k) delivers better value than 6m single storey (24-30m² for £75k-£105k). Same floor area, costs similar or less, preserves 3m more garden (worth £3k-£6k in property value).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much garden should I preserve after extension?
Minimum 6-8m usable length for garden to remain functional. Below this, you have a patio not a garden - impacts property value (gardens add 10-20% vs patios add 5-8%) and quality of life. On 10m garden, maximum 3-4m extension. On 15m garden, maximum 6-8m extension. Also preserve 50% of total curtilage (land area) per planning regulations.
Will neighbors object to extension on narrow plot?
Narrow plots increase objection risk because extensions are closer to boundary walls. 3m depth under PD: neighbors can't object (no planning needed). 4-6m depth: prior approval required, neighbors can object if they prove loss of light/outlook. Mitigation: match neighbor's extension depth, use sensitive design with setbacks, good-quality materials. If neighbor already has 4m+ extension, they can't reasonably object to similar depth.
Should I extend 6m deep or build two storey 3m deep?
For gardens under 15m: two storey 3m is almost always better. 6m single storey (24m² for £75k-£105k) vs 3m two storey (24-30m² for £70k-£95k). Two storey costs similar or less, preserves 3m more garden, adds bedroom (better property value), no prior approval needed. Only choose 6m single if: (1) garden is 15m+ long, (2) specifically don't want two storey, (3) neighbors have objection concerns about height.
Can I build side extension on narrow plot to avoid garden loss?
Only if you have side return (alleyway beside house, typical on Victorian terraces). Side return extension: 1.2-2.5m wide × 4-6m long = 6-15m². Preserves rear garden entirely. Cost: £35k-£65k. But: (1) needs planning permission (not PD), (2) only works if you have side return access, (3) narrow width limits functionality (galley kitchen only). Better: wrap-around extension (side return + modest rear) for £80k-£120k gives proper open-plan space.
How do I make remaining garden feel bigger after extension?
Design tricks: (1) Full-width glazing creates visual connection, garden feels part of house, (2) Vertical planting (green walls, climbers) adds depth without floor space, (3) Lighting makes evening garden feel larger and more usable, (4) Geometric paving patterns create width illusion on narrow plots, (5) Mirrors on side walls double perceived width. Budget £2k-£5k for post-extension garden redesign - worth it to maximize small space.
Does shallow 3m extension feel too cramped?
3m depth is tight but workable for kitchen-diner if designed well. Need: (1) Full-width opening to existing house (knock through entire wall), (2) Large rear glazing to prevent tunnel effect, (3) High ceiling 3m+ with roof lights, (4) Efficient kitchen layout (galley or L-shape works in 3m depth). Feels cramped if: poorly lit, low ceiling, small openings to house/garden. Well-designed 3m extension feels more spacious than poorly-designed 5m extension. Hire experienced architect for narrow plot extensions.
Summary
Narrow garden extensions require careful depth planning to preserve usable outdoor space. Preserve minimum 6-8m garden length - below this, garden becomes non-functional patio. On gardens under 12m long, 3m extensions (single £35k-£55k or two storey £70k-£95k) are optimal. On 12-15m gardens, 4-5m depth works (£55k-£135k depending on single/two storey). Only extend 6m+ if garden is 15m+ long.
Best strategy for narrow plots: Two storey 3m extension delivers 24-30m² across two floors with minimal garden loss. Costs £70k-£95k, qualifies under PD (no planning needed), preserves functional garden. Better value than 6m single storey which costs similar but consumes double the garden length.
Maximize small spaces with: full-width glazing (£2.5k-£6k), vertical garden design (£800-£3k), strategic lighting, geometric paving for width illusion. Budget 10-15% of extension cost for garden redesign post-extension.