Among different home changes, extending the kitchen can give it the biggest positive effect. Referred to as a key hub in the house, the kitchen is where meals are cooked as well as where loved ones unite. So, it makes sense why installing kitchen extensions is a favorite form of home improvement in the UK. No matter if you want an open living area, a place for the dining room, or simply extra space, an extension will completely alter your daily life.
Kitchen Extensions: Expand Your Living Space the Smart Way
Today, the way a home functions and how rooms connect is extremely important. Being in a cramped kitchen every day can be tiring, especially for families that grow or for people who like to host parties. A new kitchen extension gives you a clever way to use more space in your home without having to move.
One main advantage of extending a kitchen is that it helps to open up the ground floor. This gives you a way to let in more sunlight, increase space for your cabinets and counters, and even include social spots like breakfast islands or small dining areas. Proper planning will help your extension connect well with your garden or patio, blending both spaces for a more popular effect.
Why a Kitchen Extension is a Smart Investment for Homeowners
A kitchen extension helps homeowners live better and smarter with their money. In the UK, updating and enlarging the kitchen can greatly raise the value of a home. Experts say that adding a kitchen extension to your home can increase its price by 5% to 15%, depending on the project’s details.
Click to Read more about the kitchen extension ideas in the UK.
But in addition to the figures, playing games can be very enjoyable over the long run. Improving your home is a way to ensure it fits your family now and in the future. Besides making a home more valuable, a kitchen extension gives people reasons to gather and enjoy meals in a bright room. Also, if your kitchen is designed for efficiency, made from modern materials, and uses smart appliances, it will likely reduce your future utility bills.
Popular Kitchen Extension Styles and Layout Ideas
You can find plenty of options when you choose the style for your kitchen extension. Selecting the appropriate layout will be based on your home, the money you have, and what you like best. These are some of the trending kitchen extension designs found in homes across the UK.
- Rear Extensions are suitable for terraced or semi-detached houses because they extend into the garden, making the area bigger and excellent for a kitchen-diner.
- With these extensions, the little alleyway that exists next to period properties becomes a bright and useful kitchen area.
- Combining a side return and a rear extension, the L-shaped wrap-around design gives you more space and many choices for how to use the area.
- With large windows or glass walls or skylights allow more light into the kitchen and help make the area seem bigger and fancier.
Most people still choose open-plan designs that join the kitchen, dining, and living spaces in one large area. Having bifold doors, eye-catching lights, and large kitchen islands makes the space a main area for living and socializing.
Planning Permission and Building Regulations You Should Know
It’s necessary to know the legal rules before starting to build your dream kitchen extension. Many times, you won’t have to get planning permission because of Permitted Development Rights, which give you permission for some extensions automatically. Still, the height, size, and location of your building are limited by the property you have and its surroundings.
For instance, the usual depth for a single-storey rear extension on a semi-detached home is 3 metres, and that doesn’t require planning permission (or up to 6 metres if you follow the Neighbour Consultation Scheme). People living in conservation areas or listed buildings may not be able to use these rights.
You need to follow Building Regulations for your project, no matter if you have planning permission. Such aspects are covered by looking at the building’s structure, fire protection, the airflow, insulation, plumbing, and electricity. Working with architects and contractors who are familiar with the rules will guarantee your kitchen extension is attractive and lawful.
How to Budget and Estimate the Cost of a Kitchen Extension
The price of extending a kitchen in the UK can change a lot depending on its size, the area it’s in, the type of materials used, and the level of finishing applied. Most of the time, extending your home will cost you around £1,500 to £3,000/ sqm. So, a small 20sqm extension for your kitchen could set you back between £30,000 and £60,000.
- The process of removing walls and steel beams is called structural work.
- The kind of kitchen units and appliances you pick
- Glazing and rooflights are part of the design
- Furnishings and decorations in rooms
Don’t forget that you need to add the cost of design, any planning fees, and VAT to your expenses. It helps to set aside at least 10-15% of the overall budget for extra costs or last-minute changes while building.
