Having to build a bedroom in an unlikely spot, we transformed a design headache into the home's brightest asset. Our client came to us with a practical yet deeply personal goal: to create an additional ground-floor bedroom for an elderly relative, complete with an accessible downstairs shower room, all on a limited budget.
After a previous design process fell short of expectations, the client was understandably cautious. We focused on simplicity, intentionally reducing build complexity to keep costs manageable. The property, a bungalow with an existing dormer-type extension, offered limited space, and the client’s requirement for a workshop beside the house left only the rear of the property available for the new bedroom.
We embraced this challenge by choosing a timber frame for its flexibility and self-build potential. This approach allowed the client to handle much of the structure themselves, bypassing the high relative expense of professional bricklaying and enabling a more ambitious design within budget.
Their background in joinery also brought a hands-on perspective, inspiring creative choices for materials and finishes. The bedroom location presented daylighting challenges in the central kitchen, but the game-changer was the addition of a fully glazed link between the main house and the extension. This feature not only resolved the daylighting issue but also created a feature connection between spaces, avoiding a tunnel effect and infusing the entire interior with more natural light than the original layout.
We designed within permitted development guidelines to keep the project low-risk and efficient. Additionally, we designed the bedroom walls to be removable, allowing the space to adapt as the client’s needs or those of future homeowners evolve. In the end, what began as a constraint became a defining feature, showcasing how thoughtful design can transform limitations into opportunities for a truly bespoke and functional home.
The final design is clean, bright, and balanced, with clearly defined spaces that enhance flow throughout the ground floor. If you’re facing a similar design challenge or working around tricky constraints, drop in for a chat or book a free call. We love a good challenge to solve.