Where should we put the kitchen?

8 years ago

We are planning an extension to our home. There will be a section of the extension that is next to the new stairwell, facing the play room and a section nearer the garden. In these two areas we need to put a kitchen diner and living area...

My husband wants the kitchen in the middle and the family lounge nearer the garden but I am not sure... Would it be better to have the kitchen by the garden or will it not really matter in such an open plan space?

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Comments (5)

tamp75
8 years ago
It depends on your particular circumstances but building regs may not allow the kitchen and stairs in the same area due to fire hazards. It also depends on you as a family and whether you're more likely to be in the kitchen overlooking the garden (while children play, etc) or in the lounge.
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hello Rachele,

The way to look at this is how you live.. Then look at the space.. I do think it's lovely to have kitchen that goes out onto the garden... If the space is large enough it could be possibly to have a multi functioning space... Kitchen dining and entertaining all in one with the additional element of enjoying the space as a whole.. One way might be to have a long galley run with an island that morphs into a dining space.. Or extend the exterior doors to a full run, so that you can have one large room with cooking dining on one side and living on the other..

Other ways to integrate many functions under 1 space would be to look at levels... A sunken seating area or a raised dining platform.. So many ways to deal with the idea of a space that has many uses.. Think of how you do things.. Do you want to have a cooking element on an island so you can face the garden and your guests? Do you want a sleek line with sliding doors that hides the kitchen.. Think of what you might want to show off.. this might then help you define the space. : ))

Here's a smaller version of a kitchen and outside area... It's to show you that you may be able to look at smaller spaces and create ways to make them work for you..

Then there may be ways to bring the outside in... Look at this one for ideas as to how to merge the space together... that is perhaps more than just a sliding door and a dining table.. Of course this can depend on where you are but I like to suggest things that get the creativity going and might spark an idea! : ))
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PRO
OnePlan
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hi Rachele.

Tamp75 highlights very valid safety points, also consider existing plumbing, or ease of putting in new plumbing, hopefully your build drawings will indicate were the waste can go etc - these are generally set out in the most cost effective way to link in with the existing plumbing.

If you like cooking spicy or rich foods on the hob, then a good extractor hood venting either straight through or close to an outside wall can also influence where you site the hob.

If money is no object you can have everything where you like ! But
most people are curtailed a little by these basic but vital amenities !

There are several examples of OnePlan past projects on my pro page of kitchen/ living into garden areas, I'll add some links

http://www.houzz.co.uk/projects/997318/bande-kitchen-laundry-living-room-and-snug

http://www.houzz.co.uk/projects/1106407/handj-kitchen-and-family-room

http://www.houzz.co.uk/projects/760730/oneplan-project-ae-kitchen-and-family-room

...there's plenty more ! Please feel free to browse - you might see something of a similar size to your project, or see an idea you'd like to add into your wish list.
Jonathan
8 years ago
I think it depends on where the family hangs out- put the kitchen overlooking the garden if you want to watch boys kicking a ball around or you want the TV to be away from any glare from the windows.
If alternatively you want to entertain indoors/ outdoors then you need furniture that works for both and place it near doors so it can be moved outside when the weather permits.
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
Hello Rachele,

Regarding safety I think that goes without saying but what you need are ideas - there are a wealth of possibilities that can be drawn up that are appropriate to the consent you may need under the regulations required, ... Also with careful consideration as to what and where you can create a fabulous kitchen on the budget you have. Spectacular doesn't have to mean expensive! .. Knowing where to spend and how to negotiate getting what you want if of course vital.

Here's a few images of kitchens with stairs btw... : ))

Where should we put the kitchen?

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tamp75

Amber Jeavons Ltd

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Jonathan

Amber Jeavons Ltd

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