Planning the Perfect Kitchen Extension for Your Home

The kitchen is truly the heart of the home, and a well-designed kitchen extension seamlessly blends form, function and space to maximise your living experience.

For this blog post, we at Up North Cabinet Makers collaborated with the architectural design team of Ecclesall Design to determine how to plan the perfect kitchen extension for your home.

Like us, Ecclesall Design have worked on numerous kitchen extension projects around Sheffield, Yorkshire and Derbyshire as well as further afield.

Here, they share their insights and expertise, discussing essential considerations, design principles, and tips for a successful kitchen extension project.

Initial Assessment

The first step before embarking on any kitchen extension project is to assess the customer’s needs and goals. How will the extended space be used by the homeowners? Is a larger cooking area required, an improved dining experience, or more storage?

These early decisions help set a clear vision for the project and enable the designers to start taking informed decisions from the get-go.

Evaluating the Existing Space

After the initial assessment, the designers carefully evaluate the existing kitchen and its surroundings. “We take note of the available space, its orientation, and any limitations or opportunities the site presents. We then assess factors such as natural light, views, and the relationship between the kitchen and its adjacent rooms.”

This analysis is crucial for taking thoughtful design choices, helping create a harmonious and well-integrated kitchen extension.

Embracing Natural Light

A well-lit kitchen extension creates a welcoming and vibrant space that is a joy to work and relax in.

“We always seek to integrate large windows, rooflights, or glass doors (or a combination of all three) to maximise natural light and enhance the connection between the indoors and outdoors.”

According to the designers, their layouts capitalise on the available sunlight throughout the day, while being mindful of overexposure: “We consider the orientation of your extension and then suggest measures if necessary to prevent the possibility of uncomfortable overheating.”

Sometimes their design suggestions might involve different roof options: “A flat roof with a rooflight is perfect to ‘zone’ the area directly beneath, such as a breakfast bar or a dining table. Alternatively, a pitched roof with a vaulted ceiling will provide a spacious feel to the extension.”

The design team say that it is important to position roof windows thoughtfully to help throw natural light into darker spaces towards the centre of the house.

Blending Functionality and Aesthetics

In any successful kitchen extension design, it is important to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics: “We do this by thinking about the workflow, how can we ensure efficient movement between the cooking, preparation and dining areas.”

Moreover, incorporating ample storage solutions such as cleverly designed cabinets and pantry spaces helps maintain a clutter-free environment.

“It is also important to pay attention to material choices and external finishes,” they say. “For example, the colour palettes we suggest work in harmony with your existing home while adding a touch of modernity.”

This ties in particularly well with the needs of homeowners looking to have an open plan family living, cooking and dining space at the rear of their home, and a relatively private snug at the front of the house.

The design team play around with plenty of ideas with different layouts to determine what works best for their clients’ needs.

Harmonising Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

Seamlessly connecting the kitchen extension to the outdoor area helps to create an inviting and versatile space.

A great way of doing this involves the installation of bi-fold, French or sliding doors that open on to a patio or garden, enabling easy al fresco dining while bringing in lots of natural light.

“It also really opens up the space, even in the depths of winter,” enthuse the designers.

Other ways of harmonising the interior include installing matching floors and consistent colour schemes to create a cohesive transition between the interior and exterior of the property. 

Futureproofing and Sustainability

As responsible architectural designers, Eccelesall Design believe in sustainable design practices.

“Our building regulation details always specify the most up-to-date standards in energy-efficient design choices. This means that we can help you incorporate eco-friendly features within your kitchen extension, such as greener appliances, smart home technology, and sustainable materials.”

The design team also suggest ideas to enhance the long-term functionality of the kitchen, allowing flexibility for unique and evolving needs. For example, some customers occasionally like to host large parties for family and friends; in such cases, they can incorporate clever internal partitions between adjoining rooms that can be opened up to produce more space when required.

Conclusion

A well-planned kitchen extension has the potential to transform your home and become the centrepiece of your daily life. It is therefore crucial to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics, future-proofing your design by incorporating sustainable elements.

By assessing your goals and following efficient design principles that combine aesthetics and functionality, you can create a harmonious space that will not only bring the ‘wow factor’ to your home, but also increase your property’s value upon resale!