What should you consider when planning a kitchen extension?

Many of us dream of a generous, light-filled kitchen that is the heart of the home. A space that works hard day-to-day, but also feels good to spend time in. Whether it’s family meals, weekend cooking, or simply somewhere to pause with a cup of tea, the kitchen is one of the most used spaces in a home.

The Tin Barn photographed by Ellen Christina Hancock

If you’re considering a kitchen extension, it can be tempting to jump straight into decisions about colours, finishes and fittings, but taking time to think about how you want the space to feel and function can help set the foundation for a well-considered project. Here are a few things we encourage clients to think about in the early stages.

Start with purpose

It’s helpful to begin by reflecting on how you use your home now, and how you’d like to use it.

Do you need more space to cook, eat, and gather?
Are you hoping to improve your connection to the garden or bring in more daylight?
Does the kitchen need to work as a multi-functional space for work, rest, and family life?

Understanding the role the new space will play helps guide decisions later down the line regarding layout, openings, flow, and more.

Light, orientation and outlook

The Garden Room, photographed by Ellen Christina Hancock

Natural light can transform a space, and we often look closely at how the sun moves across a site.

South-facing extensions typically enjoy plenty of sunshine but may need thoughtful shading and thermal mass to stay comfortable.
North-facing spaces can still be bright and welcoming, with considered openings, borrowed light, or rooflights.

It is key to consider how the kitchen will connect to the outdoors—framing views, opening onto a terrace, or simply making the garden more present and accessible.

While it’s easy to focus on the new space, it’s just as important to consider what happens to the rooms left behind. A poorly planned extension can block out light and make the rest of the house feel darker or disconnected. Instead, we look at ways to draw light deeper into the plan - perhaps through internal windows, borrowed light, or a carefully placed rooflight - to ensure the whole home continues to feel balanced and bright.

Making connections

Extensions can be a chance to improve the way your home flows. Often, we’ll explore how to open up or reconfigure adjoining spaces to create stronger connections between old and new, inside and out.

Rather than just adding more space, evaluate how each part of the house relates to the others, and how the new kitchen can support the way you live.

Permissions and practicalities

Depending on where you live, and the nature of your home, you will need to apply for planning permission or consider factors such as:

Conservation area or listed building status
Local design codes or permitted development rights
Proximity to neighbours
Party wall compliance
Existing drainage/utility runs

An architect can help you navigate the process and shape a proposal that responds to its context—visually, socially, and environmentally.

Performance and sustainability

Even a small extension has the potential to improve the overall efficiency of your home, particularly if it’s replacing a poorly performing element. Focus on long-term comfort, performance and sustainability:

Improving insulation and air tightness
Introducing natural ventilation or Mechanical Heat Ventilation Recovery
Selecting materials with a low embodied carbon footprint
Creating comfortable internal temperatures year-round

This will help create spaces that feel good to be in, both now and into the future.

Think about budget

Every project is different, and part of our role is helping you get the most from your budget. Early discussions around cost can help focus the design, and we’re happy to talk openly about what might be achievable within different parameters. A modest, carefully designed extension can sometimes have more impact than a larger, less-considered one. Good architecture comes from collaboration. We’ll listen carefully, help you shape your brief, and work with you to develop a design that fits your home and your lifestyle.

If you’re thinking about a kitchen extension and would like to explore what’s possible, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch today.