A loft extension is one of the most effective ways to transform your home. It adds valuable living space, creates opportunities for beautifully designed interiors, and can significantly increase the value of your property. For many of our clients, a loft conversion is also a chance to create a private sanctuary – whether that’s a luxurious master suite, a stylish home office, or an elegant guest space.

At Acre Design, we’ve guided hundreds of homeowners across Newcastle and the North East through this process. Here’s what you should know before embarking on your project.

Choosing the right style of loft conversion

Not every roof structure is suited to the same approach, and selecting the right type of conversion is key to maximising both space and investment.

Rooflight (Velux) conversions
Best suited to larger existing lofts, this option is typically the most straightforward. Installing rooflights allows light to flood into the space, creating bright, airy interiors. It works well for clients who already have generous roof height and want a simple transformation.
Dormer conversions
A popular choice, dormers create more headroom and allow for traditional vertical windows. They open up the opportunity for impressive views and versatile room layouts, often without the need for planning permission. Rear or side dormers are most common, though front-facing dormers may require approval.
Hip-to-gable conversions
Ideal for semi-detached homes with hipped roofs, this style extends the roofline to create a full-height gable wall. The result is a dramatic increase in usable space – often enough to accommodate multiple bedrooms and bathrooms.

Designing for light, space, and luxury

A loft should feel like an integral part of the home, not an afterthought. Thoughtful design makes all the difference:

Maximise natural light with large windows, carefully placed to capture the best of the sun throughout the day.
Use light finishes on walls and floors to create a sense of volume and openness.
Integrate storage cleverly, making use of eaves and bespoke built-in furniture to maintain clean, uncluttered interiors.
Add an en-suite for a five-star feel. With smart design, showers and wetrooms can be fitted seamlessly, even where head height is limited.

Planning and compliance

Most loft extensions fall under permitted development rights, but all must comply with Building Regulations. Fire safety, structural integrity, and insulation standards are non-negotiable. At Acre Design, we manage this process on your behalf – ensuring approvals, technical drawings, and specifications are handled with precision, so your project runs smoothly from concept to completion.

Create your perfect retreat

A loft extension can be so much more than an extra bedroom. Done well, it is a statement of design and a reimagining of your home. Whether you’re considering a luxurious master suite with en-suite, a serene home office, or a bespoke guest floor, Acre Design can help you unlock the full potential of your property.

Timber frame construction is one of the most exciting and forward-thinking methods we use at Acre Design. While we work with a wide range of construction techniques, timber frame is a favourite — and for good reason. Fast, sustainable, and energy-efficient, it’s a system perfectly suited to both home extensions and full self-build projects across Newcastle and the North East.

Why choose timber frame?

A timber frame extension can complement almost any home, from a Victorian semi in Jesmond to a contemporary coastal property in Whitley Bay. Whether you want the external finish to seamlessly match your existing home (as planning departments often require) or you’d prefer a bold contrast to make a statement, timber frame gives you the flexibility to achieve it.

Speed is one of the standout advantages. Unlike traditional brick and block construction, which can take weeks to reach a watertight stage, a timber frame structure can be erected in just a few days. This means your roof works and interior fit-out can begin sooner, reducing disruption to your daily life. For families who remain in their home during the build, this efficiency is invaluable. Less time on site means fewer hazards, less upheaval, and a smoother overall process.

Sustainable and energy-efficient

Timber is also one of the most environmentally friendly construction materials available. Responsibly sourced, it has excellent insulation properties, helping to create extensions and homes that are naturally warm, energy-efficient, and kinder to the planet. In the North East — where we know the climate can be unpredictable — timber frame systems also mean fewer weather delays and a faster, more reliable build programme.

Expertise you can trust

At Acre Design, we bring years of experience in technical detailing and timber frame design. From concept and planning through to construction oversight, we ensure every element is carefully considered and flawlessly executed. Our projects span the whole of the North East, from Morpeth and Hexham to Sunderland and Tynemouth, creating bespoke homes and extensions that stand the test of time.

A timber frame build is more than just a construction method, it’s an investment in efficiency, sustainability, and design excellence. If you’re considering an extension or self-build project in Newcastle or the wider North East, we’d be delighted to show you how timber frame can transform your vision into reality.

Securing planning permission is often one of the first steps in creating your dream home extension or loft conversion. In Newcastle, Northumberland and across the North East, the process typically takes around eight weeks from submission. While that may sound like a long time, it’s worth remembering that careful preparation at the design stage can make the whole experience far smoother.

At Acre Design, we act as your agent throughout the process, managing queries, liaising with councils, and ensuring applications are professionally presented. With years of experience across projects ranging from elegant Victorian terraces to modern detached homes, we understand what planning departments are looking for — and how to align your vision with local requirements.

Why planning matters

In many cases, planning permission is required to ensure your extension or conversion respects the style and character of the local area. In older properties, councils are particularly focused on how a new design integrates with its surroundings. Our team works closely with you to design sympathetic yet contemporary extensions that not only gain approval but also elevate your property.

Expert guidance from the start

During your free initial consultation, we’ll advise whether planning permission is likely to be required for your project and provide a realistic view of your chances of approval. If planning isn’t necessary, we’ll instead apply for a Certificate of Lawful Development on your behalf — a document that confirms your plans are fully compliant.

Local knowledge, proven success

We’ve built strong working relationships with councils across Newcastle and the wider North East, which means our applications are trusted, efficient, and successful. By handling every aspect of the process for you, we ensure planning is one less thing for you to worry about.

When you’re investing in a significant home transformation, whether that’s a kitchen extension in Gosforth, a new garden room in Jesmond, or a whole-house renovation, certainty matters. You want to know not just how the design looks on paper, but how it will feel to live in every day.

This is where Acre Design’s 3D internal visualisations come into their own.

Unlike traditional 2D plans, our detailed internal images give you the chance to walk through your space virtually before construction even begins. From the play of natural light through a set of bi-fold doors to the proportions of your kitchen island or the atmosphere created by a double-sided fireplace, these visuals provide absolute clarity.

Confidence for every decision

For our clients in Gosforth, we recently designed a minimal yet modern rear extension that seamlessly opens their existing kitchen into a generous kitchen, dining, and entertaining space. Using our 3D internal images, they could see exactly how the layout worked, how the finishes complemented their style, and how their chosen kitchen designer could complete the scheme with precision.

This not only reassures you that every detail has been considered but also makes discussions with contractors, kitchen suppliers, and interior designers faster, clearer, and more enjoyable.

Designed for discerning homeowners

Our clients — often homeowners who have worked hard to create their perfect environment — appreciate that 3D imaging takes away uncertainty. It provides peace of mind that the final result will look and feel exactly as you imagined, if not better. And importantly, it ensures your investment delivers the lifestyle you’ve been planning for.

Whether your project requires full planning approval or, as in this case, falls under permitted development, Acre Design ensures that your vision is crystal clear long before building control approves the drawings.

Our clients in Cramlington approached Acre Design with a vision: to modernise their existing property and create a home that not only worked better for daily life but also embraced the beauty of its countryside setting.

The design brief

The key requirement was to extend above the existing garage, creating a luxurious new master suite. We proposed a vaulted ceiling to enhance the sense of space, paired with large glazed elements carefully positioned to capture the sweeping views across open countryside.

In addition to the first-floor extension, the property’s front elevation will be reimagined. By introducing contemporary materials — principally high-quality render and cladding — the home will take on a striking new character, blending elegance with a refreshed architectural identity.

Enhancing lifestyle through thoughtful design

Internally, a single-storey rear extension will transform the ground floor into a light-filled, open-plan living area — ideal for entertaining family and friends. The reconfiguration brings flow and flexibility to the home, ensuring it meets the demands of modern living while retaining warmth and character.

A home redefined

This project is not simply about adding space; it’s about redefining the way the property works. From a bold new exterior to carefully considered interiors, the design will give our clients a home that feels truly bespoke, rooted in its landscape, and ready for the future.

Ready to reimagine your home?

If you’re considering extending or modernising your property in Newcastle, Northumberland, or across the North East, Acre Design can help turn your vision into reality. Contact us today to arrange a consultation and begin the journey towards your dream home.

In Gosforth, one of Newcastle’s most desirable neighbourhoods, Acre Design secured planning permission for the transformation of a four-bedroom detached property into a generous, contemporary six-bedroom home.

Our clients wanted to enhance both the functionality and the elegance of their house, creating a property that truly reflected their lifestyle. By extending above the garage, we were able to introduce additional bedrooms, including a luxurious en-suite, while the existing master suite was expanded to include a striking full-height glazed gable and access to a private balcony. The result will be a light-filled retreat with a sense of grandeur.

At ground level, we designed a spacious rear extension, centred around a large kitchen-dining area perfect for family life and entertaining. The plans also incorporate a practical utility and boot room, dog-drying area, and a flexible WC/shower room and office. These considered additions will elevate the day-to-day experience of the home while adding long-term value.

By marrying bold architectural detailing with thoughtful functionality, this project demonstrates how planning permission can be leveraged to transform an already substantial family house into something exceptional. Acre Design’s expertise in navigating Newcastle City Council’s planning process ensured approval with ease.

Are you considering extending or redesigning your home in Gosforth? Contact Acre Design today to see how we can help you unlock the potential of your property.