Team KBB

Kitchen extensions 101: your guide to the different types

Posted on 10th March 2025

From side-return to wraparound and rear to double-height, kitchen extensions come in all shapes, sizes and budgets. We reveal all there is to know about the different types to help you design your dream space…

Are you dreaming of extending but don’t know where to begin? Thinking carefully about how you live in your home and what specific changes you would like or need to make in the future is a good starting point. But be realistic with what’s possible. Do you have space for a small extension where you can still create a multi-functional zone for cooking, dining, work and play? Or is the area for development large and the budget no object? Or, perhaps you’re dreaming of a double-height extension that includes extra bedrooms, bathrooms and even that much-lusted-after walk-in dressing room?

Once you’ve answered these questions, there are a host of other aspects to consider, too, mostly regarding how you would like to use the space and how it will relate to the rest of your home. “When designing any extension, one of the first things to consider is the existing flow throughout the space. We want the extension to elevate the layout while feeling as though it has always been part of the home, rather than disrupting established traffic patterns or feeling like a thoughtless add on,” Sky Moore-Clube, architect at Urbanist Architecture, tells KBB journo Amanda Cochrane.

Modern wraparound extension with wood furniture and a glass roof. — Architecture and design by Much More Design. Kitchen by Pluck. Photography: Chris Snook.

“Simply adding more space isn’t enough,” she continues. “Dig deeper into what you hope to achieve and how the extension will meet those goals. By clarifying its purpose, you can make sure the design adds meaningful value rather than ending up as an underutilised, glorified corridor that wastes time, effort and money.”

Designers also agree that when it comes to creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing extension, carefully thought-out lighting is important. “Roof lights are key,” says Grant Straghan, practice director of Dedraft. “When extending, the plan of the house gets deeper, which means natural light can’t penetrate as far. A clever use of natural light from above means it can reach exactly where it is required.”

Still, extensions come with their own specific requirements. Read on and click through for our complete guide on each type…

Rear glazed extension housing a kitchen-living-diner. — Rear glazed extension and Heritage kitchen by Kitchens by Holloways.

Side-return extensions

Most often found in terraced and semi-detached homes, the side-return extension makes excellent use of the gap along the side of a house and allows you to create extra kitchen and living space. It will work particularly well if the side return is relatively wide and the garden is small, adding plenty of light and proving an excellent investment.

Even a metre wider can help you get that dream island and utility space you’ve always wanted. Click here for cost breakdown and planning requirements.

White and bright design with handleless furniture and marbled surfaces. — An existing side-return extension has been brought back to life with the Pure kitchen design by John Lewis of Hungerford, which cost £30,000. “The homeowner wanted a combination of an earthy, natural feeling, hence the worktops and flooring, and a clean, contemporary aesthetic,” says design director Rebecca Nokes. “They have an impressive collection of house plants so we opted for an open shelf to give them space and light.” Photography: Ryan Wicks.

Rear extensions

A rear extension is ideal for homes with larger gardens. It creates a wonderful space for family life and entertaining, especially if you maximise the connection between the kitchen and the garden.

Full-width extension with a large and spacious kitchen and coloured steel beam. — A 1950s semi-detached house was transformed thanks to a new full-width extension with a large, open-plan kitchen and dining area, by Pad London and Yellow Door Architects. “We wanted the natural light to flood the wall units and so we built a bulkhead above to create a continuous plane up into the roof lights,” says Helen Yeadon of Yellow Door Architects. “The light colour on the wall units works well, while the darker base units ground the scheme and pair beautifully with the warm colour of the exposed steels.”

In terms of planning requirements, rear extensions must not cover more than 50% of the land around the original house or include features like balconies or raised platforms without permission, explains architect Benjamin Wilkes. Click here to find out more.

Double storey

A double-storey extension works well with detached or semi-detached homes with a large garden to the rear and also when the original house is wider than it is long, because you can create a more square footprint. It’s often easier with detached homes, as your neighbours are less likely to complain.

“Working with a skilled architect simplifies the planning process and ensures a better understanding of building regulations, materials, thermal performance requirements and structural integrity,” says Benjamin. Find out more about this type of extension here.

Double storey extension of a modern property. — Architecture by Delve Architects. Interior design by The Want Room. Kitchen by The Main Company.

Wraparound extensions

The wraparound extension is a combination of a side and rear extension with the corner filled in. If you have the budget and your heart’s desire is a whopping kitchen and living space plus a bootroom, utility space and a pantry, then an L-shaped wraparound extension could definitely be for you.

Working well for both traditional homes and more modern builds, the variety of options means serious thought is needed in terms of creating a completely new flow in your ground floor space.

So, if this sounds like the right project for your lifestyle, click here to discover costs, benefits and planning requirements.