Extensions
Rear vs wraparound extensions
Two of the most common configurations, compared.
A rear extension adds space directly behind the house, usually to open up the kitchen. A wraparound extension combines a rear and side extension into one L-shaped space, adding significantly more floor area but using more of the garden and generally costing more.
Last updated 7 June 2026
·By Richard Anslow
Key points
- A rear extension is a single, contained addition behind the house - usually more straightforward to plan and build, and uses less garden.
- A wraparound combines a rear and side extension into one L-shaped space - the largest single-storey floor area of the common configurations, but it uses more garden and generally costs more.
- A wraparound needs both a rear garden and side access or a side return to extend into - without both, a rear extension is usually the only option.
Rear extensions
A rear extension is the most common configuration, extending the back of the house into the garden. It's typically used to create a larger kitchen or kitchen-diner and to improve the connection between the house and the garden.
Because it's a single, contained addition, a rear extension is often more straightforward to plan and build than a wraparound, and it uses less garden space.
Wraparound extensions
A wraparound extension combines a rear extension with a side extension, wrapping around the corner of the house into an L-shaped space. This typically creates the largest single-storey floor area of the common extension types.
The trade-off is scope: a wraparound extension uses more of the garden, involves more structural work, and generally costs more than a rear extension alone.
Which one fits your home
The right choice depends on what's available. A wraparound extension needs both a rear garden and side access or a side return to extend into; without that, a rear extension is usually the only single-storey option.
It also depends on what you're trying to achieve. If the goal is simply a bigger kitchen-diner, a rear extension may be enough. If you want a genuinely open-plan kitchen, dining and living space in one, the extra width of a wraparound often makes the difference.
FAQs
Is a wraparound extension always more expensive than a rear extension?
In total, generally yes, simply because it covers more floor area. Per square metre it isn't necessarily a premium configuration - see our wraparound extension cost guide and rear extension cost guide for published ranges.
Have a question about your own project?
Related guides
More on extensions
What drives the cost of a house extension?
The factors that move an extension's price up or down - for published £/m² ranges, see our extension cost guide.
Extensions without planning permission: what's actually allowed
The permitted development limits that let many extensions proceed without a full application.