| So Where Do I Start? | | | | Kitchen - Zoning |
| Often the first step is to gain an understanding of | | | | Many people want open plan kitchen extensions that |
| what design options are available, the likely costs and | | | | act as multi-functional family spaces however this is |
| pitfalls, an idea on timeline and a high level | | | | not as easy as it sounds. Open plan spaces like this |
| understanding of what is required by way of planning | | | | need to have 'zones' allocated for their different |
| and building regulations. The decisions that are made | | | | functions for example eating, cooking, watching TV. |
| upfront obviously impact the whole process and will | | | | Making sure these spaces work together is critical to |
| form the framework of how you approach the rest | | | | the success of your kitchen extensions so make sure |
| of your project. | | | | you plan them out carefully. |
| As part of the design process for kitchen extensions | | | | Kitchen - Storage |
| you will need to consider: | | | | One of the main functions of a kitchen is storage so |
| Planning permission / Permitted Development | | | | it's worth giving this careful consideration. Its not all |
| You will need to determine if your project will need a | | | | about kitchen cabinets either - think creatively about |
| planning application or whether you will be able to do | | | | your storage. Open shelves can be a great way to |
| the work under permitted development (an | | | | display items and think about different heights - if |
| automatic planning right). This will depend on various | | | | you have small children there may be things that you |
| factors including the size of the kitchen extensions, | | | | want them to be able to access and things that you |
| locality of neighbours, restrictions such as | | | | don't. As always the success of this is in the planning. |
| conservation areas etc. An architect will be able to | | | | Materials |
| advise you whether you will need a planning | | | | The materials that you use can dramatically change |
| application or not and get the relevant consents if | | | | the look and feel of your kitchen extensions. High |
| necessary. | | | | glossy units will give a much more contemporary feel |
| Building Regulations for Kitchen Extensions | | | | whereas woods will be much more traditional in their |
| Another statutory requirement is the need to comply | | | | look and feel. Units can range in price dramatically so |
| with Building Regulations. These rules govern the | | | | if you are on a more limited budget think about the |
| safety and energy efficiency of your project and | | | | ways that you can get the right look for less. For |
| cover all manner of things from staircase pitch to the | | | | example buy standard units and spend a bit more on |
| amount of glass that you can use. There are two | | | | work surfaces - this will give you kitchen a quality |
| different ways to get building regulations approval | | | | feel. |
| but either way you will need to comply as your | | | | Practical Elements |
| project will not be signed off until you have satisfied | | | | Many people get carried away with the look and feel |
| all the relevant criteria. Again your architect will be | | | | of their new kitchen extension and forget the |
| able to guide you through the rules as well as | | | | practical elements. Remember things such as the |
| optimising the design for you. | | | | layout of the kitchen and ventilation and heating - this |
| Light | | | | will prevent your room being too hot in summer and |
| Getting the light right is essential in any room. Natural | | | | too cold in winter. With open plan spaces it is also |
| light is always the best option if you have it. There | | | | always worth investing in a good extractor fan as |
| are lots of different opportunities for maximizing | | | | smells with travel further and can become annoying. |
| natural light in your kitchen extensions including roof | | | | Architects Supermarket |
| lights, traditional windows and bi-fold doors. Consider | | | | You can find an architect and compare costs for any |
| which way your kitchen extensions will face as this | | | | type of property extension plans at Architects |
| will help you maximize the amount of light that you | | | | Supermarket the UK’s No: 1 Architect Price |
| can bring in. | | | | Comparison Site. |
