To most homeowners in London, the kitchen has changed its traditional purpose. It is not just the kitchen anymore, it is the centre of the house, where the families do their cooking, the family talks, and living takes place. In case your existing kitchen is too small, old-fashioned, or does not fit in with the rest of your home, a kitchen extension would be the best answer to changing your home both functionally and visually.
A beautifully planned kitchen addition does not only add value to your house, but also adds to your quality of life. There is no limit in making changes in the way you think of your space, as it can be an open-plan living or a glossy glass design. In this blog, we will discuss the best ideas of kitchen extensions that are the most popular, the costs that are usually involved as well as important tips of planning that should be given to the homeowners in London.
Kitchen Extension Ideas, Costs, and Planning Advice for London Homes
Kitchen extension is a type of home renovation that entails the extension of the size of your current kitchen whether it is into your garden, to the side return or even extending two storeys. It is one of the most popular home improvement works in London and it is justifiably so. Homes in cities (particularly the period terraces and Victorian buildings) tend to have small dark kitchens that are not conducive to the contemporary lifestyles. Expansion of the kitchen will provide the possibility to build a more light, functional and social space that will be the focus of the house.
Homeowners are fond of extensions to the kitchen because of their flexibility. The change can be quite spectacular whether you are thinking of a light open glass building leading to the garden, or a classical brick which is going to be perfectly smooth with your existing buildings. In addition to the aesthetic value, the extension of the kitchen can increase your house value dramatically. London being a competitive housing market makes it an emotional and a very smart investment.
What Is a Kitchen Extension and Why Homeowners Love It
To design your kitchen extension, the first step that must be done is to understand how to use the space. Do you need a venue where you can entertain guests? A cosy breakfast area? Or an accommodating design that is family-friendly with lots of storage? As soon as you are aware of what you want, possibilities of design become open.
An open-plan extension of the kitchen is one of the most demanded trends in London houses. The house design eliminates the walls between the kitchen, dining, and living space, which forms one large continuous space. Together with bi-fold or sliding glass doors, it welcomes the day and removes the division between the inside and the outside – ideal in summer parties and morning coffee by the garden.
It can perform miracles when it comes to side return kitchen extensions to those living in terraced houses. This kind of extension utilises the unused space at the side of the house which is usually left unused and increases the interior space without affecting your garden. This can be combined with a skylight or even a glass roof as the large amounts of daylight can illuminate an otherwise dark kitchen and make it a pleasant space.
A dramatic effect can be also done by a rear kitchen extension in case your property has such space. To make your space look modern and classic at the same time, use such current-day finishes as Crittall-style doors or polished concrete floors or timber detailing. In case the person wants something really unprecedented, one may include a statement island, built-in dining recess, or even a double-height ceiling to create a feeling of grandeur.
Top Kitchen Extension Design Ideas to Maximise Space and Light
In the course of planning an extension of a kitchen, the only thing that is very important is to understand the cost of your project to make sure it does not go out of budget. The prices in London may change greatly based on the size, materials, complexity of the design, and the quality of finishes. The average cost of a small extension of the kitchen can begin at approximately £40,000-£55,000 with bigger and luxurious projects including bespoke detailing even going beyond £100,000.
The most affordable solution is usually single-storey extensions to the kitchen which have a very astonishing pay back. The side extensions are a little more complicated because of the structural changes, although they are still widely used in the Victorian and Edwardian houses of London. Rear extensions, particularly the ones with vast glass constructions, may turn out to be more expensive but with amazing outcomes.
The cost of the building is not the only one that should be taken into account but also professional charges, planning, and possible structural engineering needs. The difference can be the involvement of a good architecture firm. They will be with you every step of the way, starting with concept design and build, carrying it to completion, all the technicalities, and also assist you not to make some costly mistakes. They can even guide you in choosing practical interior options like unfinished cabinets, helping you customize your space without overspending.
Understanding the Cost of a Kitchen Extension in London
The extension of the kitchen in London involves creativity and adherence when planning. Every borough has different planning controls, and some smaller extensions might be permitted by the right of the permitted development, but other extensions will require housing to be granted a planning permission, particularly in a conservation area or listed building.
Begin with defining your vision. Would you prefer a classic design which mixes in with your current house or are you attracted to a bold modern statement piece which has clean lines and minimalism? As soon as you are decided on what you want in your design, sit down with your architect and come up with comprehensive drawings that make the most out of natural light and circulation. Having a professional architect leads you through the local planning policies to make the design of your building meet everything needed, and at the same time do not spoil the aesthetic that you want.
It is also prudent to strategize on the practicalities like the plumbing, the electrics, the ventilation and storage. Knowing how a kitchen extension would look is not only beautiful but also functional. Artful design options such as under floor heating, inbuilt appliances, proper lighting setting would take the space to the next level.
Sustainability should not be ignored as well. Efficient glazing, correct insulation and environmentally-friendly materials should minimise the run up expenses in the long term and make your house a comfortable house all round the year. A carefully designed kitchen extension can bring about a total transformation to the way of living in London with its every square foot mattering significantly, as it is possible to get around with a new beauty, cosiness, and value of the household.
