Kitchen Extensions
Kitchen extensions can be built as either rear or rear and side extensions, depending on what area you have available and how much additional space you would like to create. In both instances, you will need to remove the existing external wall and make structural changes to maintain the integrity of your home while opening up additional space. Many home owners also choose to add skylights or bi-fold doors to their kitchens to bring in as much light as possible. When designing your kitchen extension, it's important to consider how you will use the space to make sure the design and ultimate build fits your family's needs: Will the kitchen be used for eating and entertaining as well as cooking? Do you want to interact with the living space while cooking, or would you prefer the two areas to be fairly separate? Do you want living space attached to the kitchen? If you have young children, do you want a play area nearby to watch them while cooking? Would you like a larder or utility room as well as the main kitchen? Would you like an additional bathroom nearby? Do you want the extension to blend in with the rest of your home or stand out with modern lines and materials? Once you have decided on these factors, you can start considering the kitchen layout itself, including the 'magic triangle' and the amount of space dedicated to food preparation and storage vs. dining and living areas. In many open plan kitchen extensions, only a minority of the space is actually dedicated to cooking.