Extensions give homeowners the freedom to evolve spaces that they love and homes that they have lived in for years, into more modern multi-purpose interiors that otherwise may not have been possible with their current layout.
However, planning a kitchen extension is never easy, here Daniele Brutto, Hub Kitchens Co-founder, shares his top tips on what to consider before taking the leap outwards and onwards…
- The way you extend your home will depend on your lifestyle. Some people want open plan living but might not want or need the extra space an extension can offer, so knocking through can be a convenient and more inexpensive option. If a client simply needs extra space and enjoys the open plan living lifestyle extending will always offer more scope for design and extended living spaces. Clients need to really think about their lifestyle and be honest with themselves about what they like and what suits them best in order to reach the best decision for major changes to their homes.
- My advice is to always consider a side return extension for a Victorian property as this will be the best option to increase the width of the property, making knocking through less important. When considering the options for a more modern 1930’s home which already has good width, merging rooms tends to work better.
- The best way to avoid any big problems is to plan every detail in advance as much as possible. Before work commences the planning and decision making stages should be complete to avoid as much stress as possible. The most common mistake is making a snap decision while the builder waits as it can cause mayhem on a build and clients never understand this until it is too late. Introduce your builder and kitchen designer at the earliest opportunity to ensure a successful outcome.
- Lighting is a key area in any project and a lighting expert can have a really positive effect on the overall feel of a room. Lighting is such an important consideration, but clients often seem to neglect this. Ensure you consider where best to install windows or if it would be best to include roof windows to guarantee light into rooms that lack natural daylight.
