If your current kitchen feels cramped or disconnected from the rest of your home, a kitchen extension could be the perfect solution. Whether you’re dreaming of an open-plan layout flooded with natural light, a spacious dining area for entertaining, or a classic country kitchen with room to breathe, extending your kitchen can transform the way you live.

Hear from the founder of Olive & Barr, Al Bruce as he highlights the important details to consider when planning your kitchen extension.

How long should a kitchen extension take?

“Typically, a kitchen extension takes approximately four months from start to finish. There are many factors within those timings, but for a standard side return kitchen extension in London or a main city, those are the typical timelines homeowners should expect.”

What things can cause delay?

“Planning permission can slow down a schedule, as you’ll need to wait for approval before starting. Then there’s finding a good builder and gathering quotes. The materials can also cause an issue, with glass often taking longer to arrive than initially agreed-upon timings.”

How can I keep my extension on track?

“The key is to plan ahead. Order your big and essential items ahead of time, especially anything custom-made. Sticking to the original plan is also crucial as making big changes halfway through can cause delays. Having the right set of builders who understand your vision and are dedicated to keeping on schedule will make a huge difference.”

What things should I consider when budgeting?

“The cost can vary depending on many factors which include size, structural work, quality of materials and more, don’t forget that there can be hidden costs, which is why it’s always worth including a contingency within your budget. Relocating the kitchen will mean extra expense, so if you’re planning to do this take into account the plumbing and electrical fees.”

How can I stay on budget? 

“It’s important to set a realistic budget for your kitchen design and discuss with your kitchen designer what is included in the overall cost, this will ensure you know what the final fee will be and you can get started on the fun part (without any worry of hidden costs) of designing your dream kitchen.”

What factors should I consider when designing my dream kitchen?

“Ask yourself how you plan on using the space and what you hope to gain from it. Do you need more general living space for your growing family, or perhaps you are a keen cook who requires a dedicated area to entertain, or, is gardening your passion and you would love to create more of a connection between indoors and outdoors?

By breaking down your ideas you can begin to create a non-negotiables list, prioritising key items that your new extension needs to include. This might be a boot room, a large kitchen island or bi-fold doors to create a light-flooded living space.”

Who can help me bring my vision to life?

“A design consultation is the perfect opportunity to discuss plans, including all those little details, these appointments are usually free too. A designer will reference the plans working alongside your team, be it a builder or architect, together your vision will be brought to life.”

What should I consider when planning my kitchen layout?

“Try and visualise the entire space, consider where you will stand to cook and what your outlook will be, for example. The small details often make the biggest difference. Connection is an important factor, where will you entertain and dine and what is the flow like between the zones within the kitchen. Your new kitchen should enhance your day-to-day life, so ask the designer about any smart storage solutions, appliances or materials that will suit your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.”

Finally, will my extension add value to my home?

“When done correctly, a well-designed kitchen extension has the potential to increase a property value by up to 15%. Investing in the quality of kitchen as well as a cleverly thought-out design can not only make the space appear more beautiful, but also add to the functionality of the home.”

www.oliveandbarr.com