Having a large and open kitchen is something every buyer wants in their next dream house, but a perfectly planned living, cooking, and garden space cracks the deal.
Such extensions are on peak across the UK to expand space, tempt buyers, and increase value of the property. Nationwide’s research on the same suggests that extension on an average three bedroom house can improve its value by almost a quarter.
For the developing households that are looking for a similar upgrade, we provide you with 10 significant design tips for a kitchen extension. A project we term as expanding the heart for it is the literal fuel station of the house as well as the family growing in it.
With innumerous advice and abundant options, people often get indecisive which is where we come in to make it simpler. Below are a few of our effective layouts that can redefine your space and you, for better.
1. Picture it before you proceed
Planning prior to the extension will not just benefit as a safety measure, but can also help you design better.
For instance, if you are planning a kitchen with a roof light, you’d probably want to place your island below it for that spot on natural light. Or in case of small children in growing families, one would want to keep the living space and island far from the dangerous electrical appliances.
Websites like Ikea provide a platform where you can practise your vision before you go on to add a dining table, roof lantern, folding doors or breakfast bar to your customised space.
2. Set the theme
Enjoy the few things you can do without the planning permission and that is letting your creativity and personality flow.
Colours are often used to express and should be chosen wisely. Bold, subtle or striking are few of the top examples. Start with a small portion of wall to experiment with and spread forward. Dark colours should be avoided for its poorer reflection of light.
It can also be topped with customised furniture that goes well with the theme.
3. Shape and separate your storage
Just like colour coded zones, the storage section can be classified and placed depending on the usage. Though it is recommended to keep all the storing cabinets together, having a distinguishing structural element for each cupboard can come handy.
For instance, rolling drawers with certain colour assigned handles can keep daily use tools that are easy to reach amidst cooking with hands full.
An open shelving style is more handy when it comes to reaching the deepest corners for that lost pan while food storage should have a separate location.
4. Let your picture talk
The imaginary outline of your desired result will speak for itself if it is firm enough. While designing the first draft, one thing will decide the location of the other and hence the whole house will come alive.
For instance, dining and Island will take the brightest spots followed by the kitchen counter and sink near the window for better ventilation. Sitting area will likely be near the door or window, overlooking a refreshing view in the garden.
5. Extend your flooring
While extending into the back of your gardens, make sure to install extra stretched flooring, be it wood, tile or marble. It can be very useful on good sunny days for social get-togethers or for a barbeque night.
The size of your kitchen can significantly increase just by opening patio doors. Moreover, the extra continuing kitchen platform smoothly opens to the outdoor space, making the layout seem subtle.
6. Try glass on the inside
For high ceiling kitchen ideas, more material is required to fill up the open plan space. Adding glazed doors to separate a few sections like dining, living and cooking, which can give a contemporary touch to the kitchen.
7. Include the sides
If you happen to have space on the sides of your property, don’t hesitate to count it in. Side extension turns out to be the cosiest corners at time with a mini- conservatory experience if you decide to cover it with glass.
Though you may lose side access to your garden but it will shockingly transform the kitchen space.
8. Customise your structural elements
Columns, beams and other supporting structures can be an obstacle to your layout but using them in their positions can boost your aesthetic and accessibility.
Build around these quintessential units, mostly when you don’t have a lot of space to spare. For instance, colourful beams and leaves covered columns provide a more natural and quirky look.
9. Blend with the bygone
Recreating a structure entirely can weaken the structure, hence try to use the old structure with the new techniques. By doing so, one might create customised designs based on what part they choose to keep.
10. Chase the sun
Never let a sunny day go to waste whether you are inside or outside. Installing huge windows and sliding doors, opening in your garden space, will shower natural light to create a warm living space and dining area for your growing family.
Keeping a track of the directions, it is easy to decide how many radiators will be required and at what positions.
You can also choose a view through the glass doors in the outdoor space which will create an illusionary bigger and brighter kitchen, putting you in a win-win situation.
