Ground Floor Kitchen Extension - Advice
Hello, we are looking to have a narrow, but long extension to our kitchen. We have had plans produced (see below) but not sure if the space is best used and would like to know if anybody would do something different? Thanks to anyone who spends the time to look.
Comments (6)
Jonathan
last yearFahim Yaqub
last yearRelated Discussions
At the beginning - ground floor extension!
Comments (17)Verena and MATH - I wish I had some nice pics for you, but I really is just a shell, still. Bare walls, exposed cabling, etc. BUT, I can share a few of my kitchen sketches if of interest... Pic 1 is the plan that went out the window this past weekend as we decided on stacked ovens next to the fridge. Pic 2 uses a magic corner to make the most of the corner space where the pantry would have been. In this scenario, upon reflection, I'd put the pull-out pins between the magic corner and the sink so that the first two units you see have the same door type (is that OCD?) The issue with this one is that I lose my 'dish pantry' from that corner, and I really wanted to be able to come in and make a cup of tea and a sandwich without having to go further than the sink. I also want DH to be able to set the table without having to come into the working aisle to get the dishes and cutlery. Perhaps I'm overthinking it, but... Pic 3 reinstates the dish drawers in that corner (although the actual base corner is not used). After doing this drawing I decided I'd have a small set of drawers for cling film, foil and dish towels between the dish drawers and the sink (again for continuity of the fronts), and put the bins in first position on the island (shown in the last pic). I'm a bit gutted to have lost the pantry, but I'm really pleased with the stacked ovens. I'm trying to convince myself that I can split pantry items between the corner upper cabinets (bread, jams, tea, coffee, snacks), and the island (tins, pasta, grains, sauces, spices, etc - the stuff for actual cooking). What do you think? Will it work? We have an appointment with a kitchen designer on the 27th - exciting! Pic 3 is kind of...See MoreGround floor renovation dilemma (extension vs conservatory)
Comments (7)Hi Navneet! Conservatories have very short useful times during the year. In the summer they tend to be way too hot and in the winter way too cold. So that's one thing worth deciding - is it comfortable enough to keep because you can use it for a lot of the year, or is it unused for a lot of the year. Some more questions for you, that I hope will help you define what you want: - is the conservatory blocking light into the kitchen? If so does this bother you? - Is the view of the garden more limited with the conservatory or do you enjoy the garden more from the conservatory? - Where would you have your dining table if not in the conservatory - the kitchen? Would this be big enough for you and for any entertaining you do - is the conservatory big enough for this now? Ask your local estate agent (perhaps the ones you bought through) about the impact on resale value for removing the conservatory. You should be able to replace the kitchen and bathroom for your budget. Depending on what materials, etc you choose. You could easily spend that £30k on just the kitchen if you wanted to! But equally you can cover a decent amount of redecoration and new fittings in that budget. I recommend that you keep a spreadhsheet to keep it on track. Hope this helps. Jane, iarchitect :)...See MoreWidening ground floor living room on existing footprint or extension
Comments (14)@Wumi thank you taking time out for commenting. Answer to your queries: How do you currently use the your ground floor rooms? BKG: At the moment we spaced out! Meaning - my son normally in the front room ( PS4/football). The three others just sit in a line formation in the lounge. In Lounge we tend to use two seats ( highlighted red for most use and up to blue to very rare use). I think because it feels like we are in a narrow corridor- not a great family experience WD: How would you like to use them? (What would you like to achieve with the reconfiguration) BKG. I think a quote that I saw on this site sums it perfectly; "I like the house but like love it as a home. On paper the house sounds fantastic, but ground floor is not functional in terms of experience. Having a room long and narrow everything we purchase has to be clinical. With narrow long lounge, when we have guests its not functional, at times people seem to stand in in the wall between the lounge and kitchen. Not a great experience I like sitting in a square formation which i feel enhance the interactions. Wider/squarer rooms, I think brings so many options WD: Is there a wall between the kitchen and lounge? BKG: Yes a wall between Kitchen and (through lounge/extension at back). P>s the Kitchen ceilings or of a different height (due to a previse side extension) WD: Where is the front entrance? BKG: Front door of the house (looking from the garage inwards, direction of stairs( i will update diagram. Again thank you for your repsponse. Regards...See Morereconfigure ground & first floor extension ideas
Comments (4)Hi Alison, I think with such a large project you should definitely be looking for someone to help with the planning phase. A concept planner or interior designer is probably the cheapest way - obviously, I can't talk about everyone's rates. My clients usually then find they have an idea of what they want and what's achievable, from a variety of options - which can then be taken to an architect. This generally cuts the costs of redo's down (and the package you need from an architect). There are a few tweaks I would make to Jonathans but this is definitely a great design to look at in more detail. I especially love upstairs and everything he has managed to get in as well as taking the garage to add a utility room and the office which is a really practical use of the space if you are converting. I am imagining the step-in at the back is a little like the garage and is there due to the boundary lines - so can't be changed. This means that the extension would be going across the existing back of the house. Maybe it is worth looking at if you can add a porch to the front too....See MoreJohn Boote
last year
PROCARL Architect
last year
Hi John,
It’s difficult to judge without knowing where your boundaries are in relation to the house. I presume you cannot extend to the rear and you have a boundary constraint on the side of your extension that limits you to 1.6m. If the boundary is within a couple of the new extension walls you should check windows sizes against unprotected areas in Part B of the Building Regulations. Long-thing extensions tend to be expensive to build. You do not appear to have a separate lounge (perhaps it’s to the left on the plan), open plan living really needs a lounge or snug that you can be somewhere quiet for watching TV or other activities. If you could extend to the rear by about 3m then the existing kitchen could be snug and then the square-ish room at the rear becomes your kitchen/living/dining with doors to the garden. But without seeing the entire house and plot it really is difficult to give an informed suggestion.
I hope this is of help to you.Please let know if you have any questions.
CarlJohn Boote
last year
Jonathan