Architecture: 8 of the Best Kitchen Extensions on Victorian Houses
Looking to upgrade your small, period kitchen with a smart new extension? Take a tour of these inspiring examples
Laura Wheat
8 August 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. Freelance Journalist and interiors obsessive, newly ensconced in a handsome Edwardian semi on top of a hill.
Houzz UK Contributor. Freelance Journalist and interiors obsessive, newly ensconced... More
When you look at the bones of a Victorian building there’s plenty to admire – large rooms, intricate cornicing, fantastic fireplaces and beautiful sash windows. However, many have very small kitchens, as when these homes were built they functioned with more of a scullery-type set-up. But times change, and as we now want to integrate cooking, eating and entertaining into our lives as seamlessly and elegantly as possible, many Victorian houses that still have the original kitchen space need a facelift.
Kitchen additions can work in multiple different ways depending on the building; one of the most popular is the side-return extension, which replaces the narrow rear projection with a room the same width as the rest of the house. The options for what to do with your kitchen can seem overwhelming, so take a look at these eight inspirational extensions to see which one could work for you.
Kitchen additions can work in multiple different ways depending on the building; one of the most popular is the side-return extension, which replaces the narrow rear projection with a room the same width as the rest of the house. The options for what to do with your kitchen can seem overwhelming, so take a look at these eight inspirational extensions to see which one could work for you.
A character-filled addition…
Want your modern extension to reflect the period of your home? This elegant addition includes Crittall-style windows, inside as well as out onto the garden, and parquet flooring to bring character to the new space.
Want your modern extension to reflect the period of your home? This elegant addition includes Crittall-style windows, inside as well as out onto the garden, and parquet flooring to bring character to the new space.
… with a Victorian vibe
For an updated take on a Victorian scullery, built-in cabinets have been arranged like an oversized dresser. A mix of grey and blue cabinets positioned around a glossy, metro-tiled chimney breast make for a kitchen that’s high on design and function.
For an updated take on a Victorian scullery, built-in cabinets have been arranged like an oversized dresser. A mix of grey and blue cabinets positioned around a glossy, metro-tiled chimney breast make for a kitchen that’s high on design and function.
The contemporary kitchen…
Past and present collide with a bang in this futuristic addition. In what would previously have been the dining room, an angular kitchen has been designed to bounce light around the multiple reflective surfaces, while a palette of white and grey creates a serene space.
Past and present collide with a bang in this futuristic addition. In what would previously have been the dining room, an angular kitchen has been designed to bounce light around the multiple reflective surfaces, while a palette of white and grey creates a serene space.
… that encompasses the past
In place of the old side-return passage, an impressive double-height glass box extension creates an extra room – and a view of the sky over dinner.
Discover more ways you can extend your home
In place of the old side-return passage, an impressive double-height glass box extension creates an extra room – and a view of the sky over dinner.
Discover more ways you can extend your home
Clean and contemporary…
This sleek extension includes a roof window that runs the length of the main cooking space, flooding it with light. Flat-fronted slab doors with inset handles lend a minimalist effect to the simple scheme.
This sleek extension includes a roof window that runs the length of the main cooking space, flooding it with light. Flat-fronted slab doors with inset handles lend a minimalist effect to the simple scheme.
… or rough and ready
While on the other side of the room, texture is introduced via an exposed brick wall, illuminated with a tangle of exposed bulb pendant lights. Sliding glass doors help to bring the outside, in.
While on the other side of the room, texture is introduced via an exposed brick wall, illuminated with a tangle of exposed bulb pendant lights. Sliding glass doors help to bring the outside, in.
Space for an island…
One of the difficulties with generous kitchen extensions on Victorian homes is what to do with all that new-found space! Experienced kitchen planners will be able to create several zones, with areas for food prep, entertaining or relaxing, so that you aren’t left rattling around a too-big kitchen.
One of the difficulties with generous kitchen extensions on Victorian homes is what to do with all that new-found space! Experienced kitchen planners will be able to create several zones, with areas for food prep, entertaining or relaxing, so that you aren’t left rattling around a too-big kitchen.
… and a packed pantry
If you’ve bags of room to spare, you could even consider creating a store for dry ingredients. A window-style divide separates this pretty pantry area from the main kitchen, while under-shelf lighting ensures no straining to read labels.
If you’ve bags of room to spare, you could even consider creating a store for dry ingredients. A window-style divide separates this pretty pantry area from the main kitchen, while under-shelf lighting ensures no straining to read labels.
Old meets new…
Huge expanses of glass in the form of giant bifolds are a popular and stylish option for Victorian extensions. However, for a more traditional take on the trend towards creating a garden room, try timber-framed doors, such as the ones chosen for this London terrace.
Tour a clever Victorian flat conversion by the designers behind this kitchen
Huge expanses of glass in the form of giant bifolds are a popular and stylish option for Victorian extensions. However, for a more traditional take on the trend towards creating a garden room, try timber-framed doors, such as the ones chosen for this London terrace.
Tour a clever Victorian flat conversion by the designers behind this kitchen
… meets old again
Here’s the same kitchen seen from the inside. Engineered oak flooring and a rustic dining table and chairs provide organic elements next to the deep-blue cabinetry. A distressed mirrored splashback and factory-style lights continue the theme of old versus new.
Here’s the same kitchen seen from the inside. Engineered oak flooring and a rustic dining table and chairs provide organic elements next to the deep-blue cabinetry. A distressed mirrored splashback and factory-style lights continue the theme of old versus new.
A wraparound kitchen…
For an alternative to the ubiquitous kitchen island, consider a wraparound peninsula-style cook space, which does double duty as a breakfast bar.
Discover how to make space for a kitchen island in any space
For an alternative to the ubiquitous kitchen island, consider a wraparound peninsula-style cook space, which does double duty as a breakfast bar.
Discover how to make space for a kitchen island in any space
… that rejigs the original layout
This canny kitchen extends round and back, towards the original part of the house on one side, meaning there’s room for a galley layout, as well as the oven, fridge and sink.
This canny kitchen extends round and back, towards the original part of the house on one side, meaning there’s room for a galley layout, as well as the oven, fridge and sink.
The alternative side return kitchen…
This U-shaped kitchen extension projects sideways from the main house, occupying the site of the old side-return passage.
This U-shaped kitchen extension projects sideways from the main house, occupying the site of the old side-return passage.
… that joins the dots
In this view of the kitchen, seen from the garden, you can see how metal-framed windows in the addition pair with bifold doors in the dining space to open up the back of the building and unify old and new.
In this view of the kitchen, seen from the garden, you can see how metal-framed windows in the addition pair with bifold doors in the dining space to open up the back of the building and unify old and new.
Monochrome magic…
This characterful kitchen sits in the middle of the new rear extension, between the old part of the house and a living/dining area next to the garden.
This characterful kitchen sits in the middle of the new rear extension, between the old part of the house and a living/dining area next to the garden.
… with a chic side space
The galley arrangement makes a statement thanks to the use of opposing colours and also leaves access to an outside space where the original side-return would have been. Brass pendant lights give a designer touch, as well as adding a metallic punch to the monochrome scheme.
TELL US…
Have you converted the kitchen in your period home – or are you planning to? Share your tips or questions for other readers in the Comments below.
The galley arrangement makes a statement thanks to the use of opposing colours and also leaves access to an outside space where the original side-return would have been. Brass pendant lights give a designer touch, as well as adding a metallic punch to the monochrome scheme.
TELL US…
Have you converted the kitchen in your period home – or are you planning to? Share your tips or questions for other readers in the Comments below.
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I worked with our original kitchen and dining room for 16 years and finally gave up. As we changed life style and spent more time at home we had to accept that we simply never used the beloved dining room and that it needed to be opened up with the kitchen and side return to make a more useable space. Just wish we had done it years ago.
I love them all
I Love the white tile in the kitchen, simplicity and daylight that builds the space! Lovely