39 Kitchen Extension Ideas That Make the Most of Your Space

Thinking about extending your kitchen? Look no further. Once you’ve browsed our list of 40 beautiful kitchen extension ideas, you’ll have all the inspiration you need for your own project.

 

Whether your budget is large or small, there are plenty of adjustments you can make to get the most out of your space.

 

1. Go Open Plan

Go open plan and create your dream kitchen-living-dining area. Losing a wall between your existing kitchen and lounge or dining area can instantly transform your space. And it provides you with the freedom to rethink your whole kitchen design.

 

For an ultra-modern makeover, remove a wall in your hallway. This will completely open your space up, allowing you to see through from the front door to your back garden.

 

2. Brighten Your Kitchen with Skylights

If you can’t have windows on the sides of your extension, install skylights to make the most of your kitchen space. Skylights are a great way to create a light and airy feel, offering a more even light distribution throughout your room.

 

They also add a sense of height and space – perfect for long and narrow kitchens. Paint your walls and ceiling the same shade of white to make your room seem even larger.

 

3. Modern Metal Cladding

You’re extending your home. Why hide it? Create an unashamedly modern extension with bags of appeal. Matching your extension with your existing brickwork can be difficult and expensive.

 

Instead, consider combining different materials in a fusion of old and new.

 

Use durable metal cladding on your kitchen extension for a simplistic and modern style. Available in a wide range of styles and finishes, metal cladding can dramatically change the look of your property.

 

Pair it with black or lead grey door and window frames for a sleek and seamless finish.

 

4. New Twist on the Old Serving Hatch

Create an oversized serving hatch between your kitchen and lounge for a social and versatile space. It’s a fantastic way of embracing some of the benefits of open-plan living, without committing to a completely open-plan scheme.

 

Position your serving hatch above your cooker or where you’ll normally prepare food. You can still be present and socialise with family and friends while you’re busy creating culinary delights.

 

5. Make Room for an Island

Make room for an island in your kitchen extension and create a beautiful feature. A kitchen island has many benefits that will help you get the most from your space.

 

Not only does it create a gorgeous focal point in your room, but it offers additional storage, more space for food prep and serving, and casual seating. It’s also a great place for the kids to sit where they can be close to you while you’re preparing meals.

 

For a contemporary look, choose a different colour for your island units – this will really make a feature of your beautiful island.

 

6. Enhance a Narrow Kitchen With Glass Doors

Narrow kitchens can cause design challenges. Adding full-height glass doors to the garden is a simple way of creating the illusion of space and adding lots of light to your kitchen.

 

Being able to see straight through the kitchen and into the garden is a desirable feature in any home. Plus, you can keep an eye on the kids and socialise at barbeques with ease.

 

Make the most of the space you have by adding some full-height storage options in your kitchen design too.

 

7. Introduce Flexible Boundaries

Introduce folding glass doors to create flexible boundaries perfect for summer garden parties. Folding doors extend your kitchen space, creating a seamless transition between your home and garden.

 

Folding doors can make any home look truly contemporary. Use the same flooring in your kitchen and on your patio to make your kitchen feel larger. Consider using large tiles or on-trend concrete.

 

8. Maximise Space with an L-Shape

Create an L-shaped design for a transitional kitchen-living scheme that truly flows.  The L-shape will create organic zones, providing a flow from a practical kitchen, to a dining area, to a cosy corner to retreat to at the end of a long day.

 

Make the most of your space with flexible seating so extra guests can easily pull up a chair.

 

9. Use Dark and Light

Adding contrasting colours is sure to create an impact in your space. And it’s perfect if you can’t choose between two different schemes.

 

Choose a different colour for your kitchen island to bring fun to your room. Blush pink and navy look fantastic together in kitchens. This dreamy combination gives you the chance to embrace the dark side and the light side at the same time.

 

Soften the look by bringing in blush accessories too, like your kettle, storage jars, or tea towels

10. Glaze Your Gable

Why stop at glass doors? Lose a wall and use vertical glazing all the way up to your gable end to flood your kitchen with light.

 

This striking architectural feature creates instant impact and opens the space to the greenery beyond. Stylish industrial-style frames add visual interest and bring a contemporary twist to a period home.

 

Position your cabinetry along the length of your kitchen to create a clear path to the glass. This will draw the eye to the outside space. Keep your walls plain – with all of the focus on that beautiful glass, you don’t need anything else.

 

11. Portable Kitchen Island

A portable island on caster wheels can make it much easier to move around your kitchen. It’s perfect for smaller kitchens, adding versatility and offering you the best of both worlds.

 

Include a portable island in your kitchen extension to maximise your counter space and your floor space at the same time.

 

When it’s not being used for food preparation or additional seating, you can simply roll it away to the side to leave plenty of room for your kitchen disco. Or whatever takes your fancy.

 

12. Create Zones With a Small Wall

Large open-plan kitchen-living areas are extremely desirable in today’s homes. But to get the most from your space they need structure.

 

If you have a large room that seems a little overwhelming, introducing a small dividing wall is a clever way of creating zones. It creates a more coherent scheme and allows you to make a beautiful feature in your kitchen.

 

Try painting or tiling your wall in a contrasting colour for maximum impact.

 

13. Use Your Ceiling Space

Lose your ceiling and take the room right up into your roof space to make a smaller kitchen feel much more spacious.

 

Immediately creating a light and airy feel, using your roof area brings height and architectural interest that’s sure to wow. Paint the entire kitchen one colour to give the illusion of seamless space.

 

14. Partially Glazed Roof

Think skylights – but a bit extra. Adding a partially-glazed roof is a fantastic way of letting light into your kitchen. It's ideal if you have a terraced home and can't have windows on the side of your room.

 

Plus, it brings instant style to your space with a contemporary wow factor.

 

15. Add a Picture Window

Include a picture window in your kitchen design to make the most of your inside and outside space. A picture window is a large single window – it’s fixed, meaning there’s no plastic or aluminium to obstruct your view.

 

Adding a picture window makes your kitchen feel instantly brighter and more spacious. And it provides a great place to sit and enjoy the garden. Create a comfortable window seat underneath your picture window to enhance your space.

 

16. Create a Multifunctional Room

When planning your kitchen, consider what you need for the lifestyle you want. A kitchen extension that provides a place for you to eat, socialise and live is a great way to make the most of your space. And it’s especially important if you have a small floor plan in your home.

 

Think about what you want from your home and envisage how zones might work in your kitchen. Create structure in your space with large pieces of furniture like a bench-style dining table and a comfortable sofa.

 

17. Use Your Side Return

Take your unused side return space and turn it into a part of your kitchen. Using your side return is a great way of extending your home without losing any length in your garden space.

 

It can add valuable extra footage to your kitchen and create the social heart of the home you’ve been dreaming of. Install skylights to your new roof to invite extra light into your home.

 

18. Let Your Décor Flow

Using a colour pallet that coordinates throughout your home is a nifty way of extending your kitchen. Choosing the same colours and flooring creates a seamless transition between rooms.

 

Use the same flooring throughout your ground floor to make your floorplan feel larger. Solid wood chevrons are an excellent choice for both living and dining, making your spaces feel warm and stylish.

 

19. Bring the Outside In

Bring the outside in with beautiful glazing and doors to the garden. Perfect for smaller kitchens, this type of extension helps to make your space feel open, bright, and airy.

 

With glazing across the back of your kitchen-living area, your extension will embrace the natural world. Mix materials in your décor like exposed brick and hardwood flooring to complement the outside space blur the boundaries.

 

Add house plants in hanging planters to continue the natural theme.

 

20. Show off Structural Elements

Your kitchen extension might mean you need to add steel beams for support in your property – but there’s no need to hide them. For a contemporary edge with a nod to industry, make a feature of your beams by painting them a contrasting colour.

 

Against a simple white backdrop, the beams will create visual interest.

 

21. Make Your Kitchen Work Harder

More than ever, our kitchens have needed to work harder. Over the last two years, not only have they been a place to cook, dine and relax, but they’ve provided places to work and play too.

 

If you’ve found that your dining table has doubled up as your office recently, why not make a dedicated area for your work at home? Provide a discreet space for your computer and work stuff so you can close it off when not in use.

 

For example, with a small desk cleverly hidden within kitchen cabinetry.

 

22. Create a Flexible Kitchen With Dividers

Create a flexible design for your kitchen extension by using glazed doors as dividers. It’s ideal if you want the benefits of open plan living but also want to be able to section off spaces from time to time.

 

Industrial-style doors add a contemporary edge to any home. But they'll also give you the option to make spaces feel cosier and more intimate when required. Perfect for busy family life.

 

23. Combine Old and New

Adding a kitchen extension to your home gives you the chance to merge old and new. Don’t be afraid to mix styles – historic and period homes can really benefit from a sleek upgrade to suit modern living.

 

Opt for a simple glass structure to create a striking contrast between old and new. While it makes a statement, the simplicity of the design won't steal focus from your characterful period property. For a low-maintenance extension, choose self-cleaning glass.

 

24. Exposed Brickwork

If you’ve relocated your external wall or exposed one that you couldn’t see before, why not embrace it? Leave some of your brickwork exposed to bring character and create a feature in your kitchen.

 

Exposed brickwork is modern yet relaxed, bringing a chilled-out vibe to your space. Plus, it saves you on plastering. Add pops of colour using framed prints and position houseplants in tall planters by your wall to soften the look.

 

25. Save Space With a Kitchen Peninsula

Peninsulas are a popular choice in smaller kitchens. They take up less space than islands and are easy to incorporate into the design. They’re great for keeping busy areas free too, helping the family move through the kitchen with ease.

 

Include a peninsula in your L-shaped room to create an informal divider between your kitchen and dining or living area. Add tall bar-stool seating to your peninsula to create a relaxed place for entertaining or an area for the kids to do their homework.

 

26. Embrace Nature

Bring nature into your design for a scheme that complements your outside space. By using the same materials on your flooring both inside and out, you create a kitchen-living area that extends into your garden beyond.

Include natural elements in your décor too. For a laid-back, contemporary look, install wooden panelling in your kitchen. Add a bold jungle or woodland mural to your room for a sophisticated and eye-catching design.

 

27. Open Shelving

Include stylish open-shelving in your kitchen extension design for an on-trend storage solution. Not only does it make a beautiful addition to your space, but it means everything is to hand when you need it.

 

Position your shelves around your food preparation area for easy access to your everyday essentials.

 

28. Two-Tone Kitchen Style

Choose a two-tone kitchen for your extension for a contemporary look that won’t date in a hurry. By opting for two different colours in your kitchen units, you can be playful with colour – handy if you can’t make your mind up between two.

 

Opt for a kitchen island in another colour to make a stunning statement in your kitchen. Or embrace the two-tone trend by choosing different colours for your upper and lower cabinets.

 

Futureproof your kitchen by choosing cabinets that you can repaint when you fancy a change. It's a cost-effective way of freshening up your space in years to come.

 

29. Glass Roof

Unite your kitchen and the world beyond by installing a glass roof. It will completely flood your space with light and allow you to enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of your own kitchen. Add electric blinds to help filter the sunshine when needed on bright days.

 

And the beauty of a super light space means you can go for any colour cabinetry you want without fear of the room looking dark. Pair black shaker units with white walls and brass accessories for a chic and modern look.

 

30. Mixed Storage Options

Include mixed storage options in your kitchen design for a versatile and interesting space. Your kitchen area provides much more than a place to prepare and cook food.

 

By including shelving for books and gadgets, you can make it a flexible room for your family to work and live too.

 

Mix open shelving with traditional cabinetry to store your kitchen essentials and decorative accessories. Make the most of space in your kitchen island and store books to create a handy spot to perch and read or work.

 

Including open shelving for your books is a great way to add a display of colour in your kitchen too.

 

31. Adventurous Colour Pops

A modern kitchen-living extension is a perfect opportunity to be adventurous with colour. Your new light and bright space will sing with a pop of colour on your walls or in your furniture and accessories.

 

Pair your white or grey kitchen with vibrant bar stools, planters, and decorative accessories. Try sunshine yellow or a playful pink to bring personality to your space.

 

32. Consolidated Storage

Maximise the space in your large kitchen-living area by keeping your kitchen cabinets along one side of the room.

 

This creates a simple and sleek feel in your kitchen, giving the illusion of space. Choose handle-less cabinetry for an even more contemporary and clean look.

 

33. Plywood Kitchen

Simplistic and modern, plywood kitchens are an eco-friendly way of revamping your kitchen space. With its clean lines and impressive durability, plywood is a contemporary and quality alternative to traditional cabinetry.

 

It’s also water-resistant – perfect for busy kitchens.

 

For a Scandi vibe in your kitchen extension opt for birch plywood which is the lightest in colour. You can also finish your plywood cabinets with paint to add colour – go bold with teal or yellow for a fun look.

 

Keep the cabinets pared back with built-in cupped handles back for ultimate simplicity.

 

34. Mix Materials on Your Extension

Mix the materials used on your kitchen extension for an eclectic, modern look. Create wow-factor by using wood and metal in your design. The different materials will create an interesting structure that you’ll never tire of looking at.

 

Incorporate industrial elements into your kitchen design to bring the scheme together. Including exposed steel beams and metal light fittings will complement the exterior.

 

If you can, leave some of your old brickwork exposed to add warmth and acknowledge the history of your home.

 

35. Statement Lighting

Statement lighting is the perfect finishing touch to any kitchen extension. Choose quirky oversized pendants to draw the eye up and make your room feel instantly more spacious.

 

Hang pendant lights above your island or peninsula to create a beautiful feature and provide practical lighting.

 

36. Align Your Inside and Outside Dining Areas

 

Go one step further and include an outdoor kitchen in your extension plans. An outdoor kitchen extends your space even further by aligning your indoor and outdoor dining areas – perfect for summer socialising.

 

Line up outdoor kitchen units with your indoor ones for a seamless transition. Choose doors that slide or fold away to completely open the space up between your kitchen and garden. It’s a dream for entertaining, allowing you and your guests to move between spaces with ease as the evening draws in.

 

37. Highlight Period Features

Highlight period features in your kitchen – or add new ones. Include a beautiful aga surround around to embrace period home style in your new extension. It’s a great way of fusing traditional and modern décor while adding stunning detail to your space.

 

Coordinate your surround with your kitchen cabinetry for a clean and sophisticated look. You can keep it plain or use it to house some of your decorative pottery. And when it comes to the festive season, dress your surround with a lush green garland and twinkling lights to create a stunning centrepiece.

 

38. Pastel Colour Scheme

The beauty of a modern kitchen extension is anything goes, so don’t be afraid to experiment with your interiors.

 

Inject colour into your space with a beautiful on-trend pastel kitchen that’s sure to make a statement. Combine with copper lighting, handles and cookware for a warm and modern twist.

 

39. Bring Your Space Together With the Same Materials

Unite a large multifunctional extension by using some of the same materials in your kitchen, living and dining areas.

 

For example, compliment solid wood worktops with a wooden dining table, coffee table or television stand.

 

Or unite the space with accessories of the same materials. Small details can make a big difference - think brass kitchen taps and handles, a brass floor lamp and an accent chair with brass legs.

 

How Much Does a Kitchen Extension Cost?

 

How much your extension will cost depends on the amount of work you plan to undertake. As a general rule, basic single-storey extensions can cost around £1,500 per m², while high-specification finishes cost up to £3,000 per m².

 

If you are only changing your internal layout, for example taking down non-supporting walls, the overall cost will be much cheaper. You can expect to spend up to £900 per m² on redesigning work.

 

It’s a good idea to set your budget with your architect and builder to make sure it’s manageable for you. Plus, they’re the best people to recommend cost-saving tips and tweaks to the design.

 

How to Plan Your Kitchen Extension

 

Start by thinking about what you want and need from your kitchen extension.

 

Is it important to let lots more light into your space? Do you want to include the kitchen, living and dining all in one room? Would you like an island? Do you need a family-friendly zone for children?

 

You could start by searching online for inspiration – look for floorplans for houses of a similar size to yours to get you started. You could also look at what extensions your neighbours have approved to give you an idea.

 

Once you’ve decided what you’re looking for, enlist the help of an architect to help turn your idea into a reality. Even if you think your extension seems simple, it’s still important to work with an architect.

 

Most builders will want to work to plans to make sure everything is exactly how you pictured it. Push your architect to be as creative as possible to maximise your space.

 

Your architect can also help if you need to submit planning permission to the local authority.

 

Next, you need to look for a builder. Ask friends and family for recommendations if possible. Your architect may also be able to suggest builders they have worked with before. You should always try and get quotations from different builders for comparison.

 

Take the time to do your research - get references and check they have appropriate insurance and guarantees.

 

It’s also a good idea to consult a kitchen designer – you can do this through many major kitchen providers. Your architect might provide a basic layout, but kitchen designers take your plans to the next level.

 

They can help you choose cabinetry, appliances and a design that works for you.

 

And don’t forget to speak to your neighbours if any building work is likely to impact them.