How to plan a kitchen extension
The kitchen is the heart of the home and in so many properties, it’s a space that just doesn’t work effectively for modern-day living. If your kitchen is letting your house down, then it may be time to invest in a kitchen extension.
Read on for information on how to plan your new kitchen space and tips and ideas so that you can make your dream kitchen a reality.
Planning your kitchen refurbishment
Gone are the days of a kitchen just being used for cooking. More often than not it’s also a multi-functional space that acts as the hub of the home. This makes it an incredibly important area to get right as it can affect the whole run of the house.
For many houses, the kitchen is towards the rear of the property and so extending the kitchen outwards into the garden is the best option. However, if your kitchen is not at the rear, there are still options for you. You could decide to reconfigure your ground floor layout, or depending on space available at the front or side of your property, extend that way instead. As experienced design and build contractors, Stubbs Homes is here to help you decide the best route for your home renovation.
Follow this checklist for tips on how to plan your new kitchen.
1. Create a wish list
What do you want to achieve from a new kitchen? Is it more space? A better layout? Spend time thinking about how you will physically use the space. If you have a large family or regularly entertain then you’ll probably want a dining area for example. Do you want a pantry or utility area, boot room or an extra bathroom? Making these decisions will help determine the footprint you need to achieve your goals.
2. Evaluate your budget
The cost of a kitchen extension is influenced by a number of variables including the size of your extension, fixtures and fittings and whether any other internal modifications are required. Remember to factor in professional fees which can be as much as 10% of your overall build cost and have a contingency fund for that ‘must-have’ item you’re bound to want like a fancy new cooker or custom blinds! As a rough guide, it will cost around £3,000 excluding VAT per square metre of space added. Take a look at our blog how much does a home extension cost for more information and budgeting advice.
3. Speak to the professionals
It’s never too early to start talking to contractors. Reputable builders like Stubbs Homes will often have a long wait list and their vast experience can help trigger ideas that will help shape your decisions. Getting in touch and undertaking a site survey at the early stage of your planning will avoid potentially costly errors or changes in decision later down the line.
4. Gather inspiration
Use online tools such as Pinterest to gather inspiration on colour schemes, kitchen fittings, lighting and furnishings. Then put together a list of the extras you’ll need to make your kitchen look and feel exactly how you want. Decide on a kitchen style that you like and that works with the rest of your house.
5. Design and layout
Once you know what space you will have to work with, you can appoint a design specialist to work on the layout plan for you. This will include the flow of the room, and how it will work from the outside to inside and into other spaces in the house. It will also cover important considerations such as storage space you’ll need, lighting, where appliances will be fitted and plumbing and electrics considerations.
6. Obtain any necessary planning permissions and schedule work
Some kitchen extensions can be covered by permitted development rules and so do not require planning permission but it’s always best to check with your local planning office before committing to work taking place. All extensions will need building regulations approvals though at different stages of the build and work such as electrics or a new boiler will require the appropriate certification too.
Once you know you have the relevant approval to have the extension, you can liaise with your chosen contractor to book in the schedule of works with a realistic timeline. At Stubbs Homes we provide you with an estimated timeline of activity so that you can plan your home arrangements accordingly. Plus, we know that any type of renovation can be disruptive and so work with you, communicating regularly before and during the build so you’re always up to date on the timeline of your project.
7. Select materials and finishes
This is the fun part! Deciding on the aesthetics of your kitchen such as the colour scheme, cabinet styles and countertops. You’ll also need to make decisions on the flooring and other furnishings such as light fittings.
8. Prepare for construction
You may need to set up a temporary kitchen space for when work gets started and protect other areas of your property from dust and debris for building work.
9. Regular check-ins
We appreciate that as a build progresses the scope of the project may change. You may have a new idea, change your mind on a particular concept or issues may arise that mean you have to adapt your build. Having good communication with your project manager is essential so that these changes can be factored in and you’re fully aware of how this may impact your extension. It’s also your opportunity to ask any questions and check progress and quality of workmanship.
10. Final touches
It’s important to conduct a thorough inspection and to flag any snags that need rectifying. A walk through visit with your contractor can be really helpful to identifying any areas that still need attention.
Then, you can add all of your personal touches like furniture, décor and accessories to truly make the new space your own!
Kitchen trends
Bright open layouts. Consider using large sliding patio doors out to the garden to generate the feeling of space or add a roof skylight for extra daylight in your kitchen.
Multi-functional spaces. Open plan layouts enable you to use your kitchen for much more than cooking. Add a dining or living area and define each space by segmenting the room by using different flooring finishes or soft furnishings that complement but differentiate your zonal areas.
Kitchen décor. A neutral colour palette is timeless, but this is also your opportunity to add your personality to the kitchen. Consider splashes of colour that you can change over time or go bold with your kitchen cabinetry. Deep blue and green hues are popular and add a sense of luxury. There are lots of choices of worktop too such as traditional solid wood, granite or quartz. A kitchen island is incredibly popular and used with low hanging pendant lighting, adds a real focal point in your space.
Add value and saleability
As well as creating a space for you and your family to enjoy, it’s also a way to add long term value to your home. Adding a larger, modern kitchen can increase its value by on average 15% plus it significantly improves its marketability.
Want to learn more? View our work to see how we’ve transformed homes in the Southampton area and book a free consultation.