How To Plan A Kitchen Extension

Planning a new kitchen extension is an exciting task, however there are many factors to consider before making such a huge commitment to the changes and improvements to your home. If you are considering extending your family home but are a little unsure on where to start, we have put together a few handy pointers to help you begin the process...


Burlanes Wellsdown Kitchen Extension In Sevenoaks. ©Sarah London Photographer.

Before you begin any renovation works on your home, it is important to think about how your new kitchen should look, and its functionality.

The kitchen is the heart of your home, so if you have a family, you may want to consider creating a multi-functional hub where you can dine, relax, chat, socialise and entertain. In the initial stages of planning your extension, make a list of all the things your kitchen will be used for on a daily basis. Sometimes this is a little difficult to get started with, so instead try writing down everything you use your kitchen for over the course of one week; you will be very surprised at what ends up written down!!

As well as being functional and practical, it is also important for your kitchen to be a space that you love to be in, look at, and a room that fits in well with the style of your home. Do lots of research into the style of kitchen you would like, make a Pinterest board, save lots of posts on Instagram, tear pages out of magazines and even take photos of your friends' kitchens that you love!


Burlanes Hoyden Kitchen Extension In Sevenoaks. ©Sarah London Photographer.

Work with a reputable architect and a kitchen designer that you trust.

It is vital that any professionals working in your home are fully on board with your plans and what you are hoping to achieve, so researching and finding the right architect and kitchen designer for you will take time. Visit our design studios and speak to the designers about your wish lists, and be as upfront as you can about your wishlist from the very start.


Burlanes Hoyden Kitchen Extension In Tonbridge. ©Sarah London Photographer.

Preparation is key!

Once you have found the professionals that you want to proceed with, a good idea is to write a list of all your likes, dislikes and must-haves in your current kitchen, which will then be taken on board when designing your new kitchen. Popular kitchen features include:

• A kitchen larder - do you want a freestanding larder away from your main working triangle, or a dedicated cupboard within your cabinetry for your dried goods?
• A kitchen island - do you want appliances to be integrated, is storage a huge factor in your design, would you like a breakfast bar to be incorporated into your design?
• Dining area / seating - would you like to create one open-plan space for all activities, or would you prefer to divide the space into zones for dining, relaxing, cooking etc?
• Appliances - will you be integrating your washing machine and tumble dryer amongst your cabinetry, or do you want a dedicated space / a separate utility room?
• Windows - it is important to decide the positioning of your windows before the kitchen design process begins. Good lighting is essential in the kitchen, and planning where your appliances etc will sit needs to be decided early on too.

Burlanes Hoyden Kitchen Extension In Greenwich. ©Sarah London Photographer.

If you are unsure about where to start with your wishlist, or you would like to chat through each option with a professional, please do get in touch with our kitchen design team. Our design team has extensive knowledge and has been designing kitchens for years, and we will do everything we can to create a space that is perfect for you and your lifestyle.


Burlanes Hoyden Kitchen Extension In Crystal Palace. ©Sarah London Photographer.

It can also be really helpful to visit our design studios to get an idea of what is available to you, what other people opt for in their designs, and how professional designers integrate different factors into different spaces. No two homes are the same, so no two kitchens should be either.

Decide on a budget

Costs will vary considerably depending on materials, structural work and design decisions, therefore it is important to be upfront and clear about your wishlist from the start, to ensure trade professionals are able to give you accurate costs and work within your budget. We would advise to make a list of all structural and building works that will need to be done, and work from that to build your budget:

• Building works
• Painting and decorating
• Plumbing and electrics
• Tiling and flooring
• The kitchen itself
• Worktops
• Appliances

Burlanes Hoyden Kitchen Extension In Chelmsford. ©Sarah London Photographer.

Design your kitchen before building works begin

A bespoke Burlanes kitchen is totally bespoke and hand crafted for a millimetre perfect fit, and our site team carry out numerous checks before, during and after installation to ensure the end result is nothing short of perfect, and that all available space has been used and maximised. Having your kitchen designed and somewhat finalised before the building works begin allows you to explore numerous different layouts, with very little limitations and restrictions to adhere to.


Burlanes Hoyden Kitchen Extension In Essex. ©Sarah London Photographer.

We hope this has given you an insight into the planning and preparation for your new kitchen extension, and please do get in touch if we can help with absolutely anything at all. We are incredibly proud of the unrivalled design service that we offer here at Burlanes, and our kitchen designers will work alongside you every step of your journey.