With more people opting to improve rather than move in today’s difficult property market, we look at some inspiring ways to add space and value to your home.

So where do you begin?

Well, your first port of call should always be to check whether you need planning permission – Planning Portal offers some great basic advice on permitted works and building regulations. Keep an eye out for our feature When You Don’t Need Planning Permission, coming soon.

Converting ‘dead’ spaces like your loft, basement or garage is often the easiest way to create more space, as changing them into usable a living area doesn’t normally require planning permission, provided no additional volume is created. However, there are still building regulations to comply with.

To really open up your living space, a conservatory is still the first choice, and UPVC construction makes them fairly easy to maintain. However, because of their size, they normally require planning permission – particularly if you live in a listed building, flat or maisonette, or if the extension would take up more than 50 per cent of your garden space. This also applies if adding a conservatory would increase the volume of your original house by more than 15 per cent.

Kitchens are another favourite room to expand - their common location at the back of the house means extending into the rear garden is much easier than front and side extensions. In some cases, it also saves planning permission, as current regulations prohibit you from extending into any space that’s 20 metres or less from any public road.

Take our photo gallery tour below for inspiring extension ideas from Apropos Conservatories…