A calmer, more connected way of living - and why it might be the right move for your home in 2026
If you’re thinking about renovating in 2026, an open-plan rear extension is one of those decisions that quietly transforms everyday life. It’s not just about adding space or making things look good – it’s about creating a home that genuinely supports the way your family lives, grows and spends time together.
When we extended our own home in South Manchester, we added a single-storey 3m rear extension that fell under permitted development. No planning permission needed – just building regs, which meant we could move ahead without delays.
What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would impact our family life. I thought we were getting a bigger kitchen. What we actually created was the centre of our home.
Where our family naturally comes together
The moment the walls came down and the light came flooding in, the whole feel of our home shifted. The kitchen, dining and family area became one flowing space – bright, calm and open.
When the kids were little, this room held everything: the Montessori climbing frame, overflowing toy kitchen, and Duplo scattered everywhere. It was chaotic sometimes, but we had space for that stage of life, which made those years more manageable.
Now that they’re older, the play looks different. There’s still plenty of Lego and craft materials on the dining table, but the toys are smaller, the games are calmer, and the room adapts without effort. That’s the beauty of an intentionally designed open-plan space – it flexes with you, not the other way around.
And as we look ahead towards the tween and teenage years, I’m genuinely grateful we created a space that encourages openness. Screens will start to feature more, that’s just modern life and homework – but having one big family room means the kids can still be near us while they’re online. There’s a sense of togetherness without hovering, and that feels like a solid foundation for the years ahead. It’s one of the things I value most about the extension, even though it wasn’t part of the original plan.
A renovation that shifted more than the layout
What surprised me most was the emotional impact. The light changed our mornings. The flow of the space changed the pace of our days. We weren’t rushing between rooms anymore – we were simply together, moving through the day with a bit more ease.
I did all of this during maternity leave, in the middle of Covid, which was far from great timing. But in a strange way, it brought a sense of stability when the world felt fragile. And somewhere in that mix of newborn life, mess, dust and endless decision-making, I realised how much joy I found in designing spaces that support family wellbeing.
This extension is what pushed me to take interior design seriously and turn it into the career I’d always imagined. It made me realise how powerful our homes are in shaping how we feel – and that’s something I now bring into every project I work on.
Planning a 2026 renovation? Start with how you want life to feel
It’s easy to jump straight into choosing tiles or debating layouts, but the best transformations start with a simple question:
“How do we want life to feel in this space?”
For us, it was calm, connected and easy to live in.
For you, it might be sociable, creative, spacious or more organised.
Once you’re clear on the feeling, every design decision becomes more intentional – from the way the room is zoned to the lighting, materials and storage solutions. A home designed around wellbeing just works harder for you, year after year.
Open-plan extensions are brilliant for that. They give families space to grow, room to breathe, and a natural sense of togetherness that supports every stage of life.
Why 2026 might be the right moment
If you’ve been sitting with the idea of opening up your home – whether that’s a bigger kitchen, a brighter living space or somewhere the whole family can gather – planning ahead for 2026 could be your opportunity.
An extension isn’t just square metres.
It’s a lifestyle upgrade, family connection, and more calm in the everyday rush.
And in our case, it was the beginning of a completely new chapter.
If you’d like support visualising your own open-plan space or exploring what’s possible, you can book a consultation here.
I’d love to hear from you!
This blog is part of my monthly interiors series in collaboration with the brilliant team at JP & Brimelow – a local estate agency known not just for helping people move, but for genuinely caring about the South Manchester community.
I love working with JP & Brimelow because they get that a home isn’t just about bricks and mortar – it’s about creating a space that truly supports the life you want to live.
Check out their blog for more great advice if you’re thinking of buying or selling, or want to know more about South Manchester’s beautiful neighbourhoods and local businesses.
Ready to create a space that truly supports your lifestyle and well-being?
Book a consultation to start exploring your vision.
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