How to get the most out of your kitchen extension
So, you’ve decided 2018 is the year to turn your ordinary kitchen into something extraordinary. Extending your home and opening up your kitchen to limitless design possibilities is the perfect way to bring a little extra wow factor to your home. Not only will a kitchen extension add value to your home, it will make a huge difference to your life. With some clever planning, your extended kitchen will be a dream to cook, live, eat and entertain in.
However, rush into building a kitchen extension without ironing out the finer details, and you could end up with a design disaster, and a much bigger bill than you expected. This is a huge investment and the options need to be carefully thought through. You want to make exactly the right choices to suit you, your home and your budget.
Here are some of the most important things you will need to consider when expanding your kitchen space. Good luck!
Unless money is limitless, before you run away with kitchen design possibilities, set your budget and make a list of the things you aren’t prepared to compromise on. If you’ve always dreamed of a bespoke kitchen that stands out from the crowd, find a kitchen designer you’d like to work with and they’ll help you make the decisions you need to keep your new kitchen within budget without compromising on style.
Costing an extension can be tricky. You’ll need to factor in building work, flooring, wall and ceiling finishes, a new kitchen, windows, such as roof lanterns or any bi-fold or sliding doors, additional heating requirements, as well as fees for planning and professional project fees, such as surveyors and structural engineers.
Set your budget and start planning. Pay as much attention to the finer details as the bigger picture, and definitely have a contingency fund in place for unexpected costs.
Decide on knocking through or adding on
There are two possibilities for extending your kitchen and achieving more kitchen space in the home. These are either knocking through into an existing room, or adding an extension to your property. The simplest and cheapest option is to knock through, and is perhaps the best way forward if you have a tight budget and an underused adjoining room. Many people opt to knock through to dining rooms, turning the space into a kitchen/diner.
Building a single storey extension is the perfect way to create extra living space without compromising the existing layout of your property. It’s a great design opportunity, and will allow you the flexibility to add rooflights or bi-fold doors to let more light in and transform your home. Extending out with bi-fold doors leading onto the garden is the perfect way to bring the outside in during the summer months.
A brand new extension will give you the perfect blank canvas to create a kitchen perfect for you and your home. You’ll have no constraints Extending your home will add value over time, but it isn’t a smart option if you are planning to move in the next couple of years.
Consider layout
Work out what it is you love about your existing kitchen and what you don’t. Getting the layout right in your new kitchen space will underpin its success. Address and improve your existing kitchen issues and you can’t go wrong. If you are starting from scratch, it’s a good time to consider practicalities such as where plumbing, drainage, electrics and gas connections go.
Choose a pukka kitchen design
When it comes to kitchen design, the design you choose will depend on whether you are simply updating and extending an existing kitchen, or you are starting afresh. If you are updating and adding to existing kitchen cabinetry, start by giving your existing cabinetry a face lift. Then shop around for matching or contrasting cabinetry and appliances to fit into your expanded kitchen space.
If you are starting from scratch, the world is your oyster. Visit kitchen showrooms, buy up the latest kitchen magazines, and browse online to check out the styles you like the look of. You’ll need to think about cabinetry, storage solutions, appliances, flooring and much more. If you haven’t a clue where to start, working with a kitchen designer is a good idea.
Consider an island
Now you are creating more space, it’s worth considering adding an island into your kitchen workspace. Why? It’s the ultimate centrepiece. A kitchen island, looks good and works brilliantly too, adding extra worktop space, additional storage, and a cool sitting area for enjoying drinks with family and friends.
Don’t compromise on lighting
Lighting isn’t always given as much thought as it should when it comes to kitchen design. But carefully planned and chosen, lighting can transform and define home spaces beautifully. If you are extending your property to accommodate your expanded kitchen plans, be sure to make the most of skylight windows to bring natural light in. Roof lanterns make a fabulous feature, especially when set over dining spaces.
With so much to think about when planning a kitchen extension, it’s easy to feel stressed. Try to have fun with it. The important aim is to improve on what’s already in place.
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