This couple wants to extend their small kitchen while reconfiguring the ground floor. So, we’ve asked two designers to come up with clever ideas and help them make the most of every inch…
Amy Farrer, a project risk manager, lives with her husband Will and their two children in a cottage in Hampshire. However, they would like to extend the kitchen and reconfigure the ground floor. And, as the kitchen is small, maximising space is key.
So, Amy decided to take part in our Drawing Board feature where interiors experts come up with creative and transformative ideas for our readers’ renovations and design dilemmas. This time, KBB journo Rachel Ogden asked interior designer Lily Lucas and Fariba Khalili, design and sales consultant with Norden Kitchens, to help this couple plan their dream kitchen extension.
Read on to see the plans come to life…
The space
With planning permission to build a 4.39m x 4.8m extension, the couple can create a new kitchen/dining space that will be around 3.8m x 4.2m internally. It will feature double doors out to the garden and have a ceiling of 2.1m at its highest point, sloping down to 1.8m.
The wishlist for the kitchen extension
- Amy and Will plan to extend their kitchen/dining room at the rear of the property. They will place a new bedroom in the old living room and extend a downstairs bathroom to include a shower. This will create a walk-through space in place of the existing kitchen and turn a utility room into an ensuite for the new bedroom.
- The couple want the new kitchen extension to reflect the cottage-like style of the existing property, which has open fireplaces and exposed beams but still feels light and fresh. A traditional Shaker-style design with low-level units, antique brass handles, and stone flooring would work well. They would like greens and creams, along with natural finishes, such as timber, hessian and rattan.
- They would like to include their existing banquette or new built-in seating, as they often entertain. The design should feature their reclaimed timber table or an extendable one.
- They would like a sociable chopping area (or a small movable island) and a larder. Flexible lighting is a must, as Amy would like the kitchen extension to have a different mood once cooking is finished.
The budget is £25,000 excluding installation.
Designer one
Lily Lucas is a freelance interior designer at L Rose Interiors and former creative lead at Anderson Sinclair, where she specialised in space planning. She has a BA Hons in Interior Architecture and Design.
Solution one
“Reading the couple’s brief, my immediate thoughts about the space were that it needed to feel warm, cosy, homely and complement a cottage setting. Light and natural touches were going to be key, as well as looking at the usability of the area as a whole. Amy’s comments on using the walk-through area stood out to me as the perfect space to create a utility space.
“I’ve designed cabinetry that can accommodate a washing machine, with a large, double utility larder for storage in the centre and a coat-storage area, if needed. By pairing this with glazed doors in the new kitchen extension, I’ve ensured that it feels light. I also thought that creating a pantry where the old back door was would be a good idea, opposite the utility cupboards. Again, I’ve used a glazed door in this area, which keeps it tucked away, but not closed off.
“Moving on to the main space, I’ve put banquette seating along one side of the room so that the family can entertain easily. It doubles up as brilliant storage, too. Where the ceiling isn’t particularly high, I wanted to create the illusion of space. I’ve used natural wood shelving on the walls rather than units, which unites the new kitchen with the garden. I’ve also created a false mantle above the hob to give a cosy, country feel, which should complement the rest of the cottage.
“I designed the kitchen with a bespoke, mock, in-frame style, to give it a classic, contemporary look. The bulk of the painted cabinetry is in Heritage Green with Stone Grey for the island and banquette seating. I chose 20mm quartz worktops, with a hint of gold, which complement the Quooker boiling water tap and Plank Hardware handles.
“Appliance-wise, I have allowed for a 70/30 fridge freezer, single oven, compact combination oven, induction hob, integrated dishwasher and integrated extractor hood – everything the couple should need for daily family life and when entertaining. I’ve finished the room with a movable but sizeable island in the centre of the space.”
Amy’s verdict
“Our first impression was how great the colour looks in this design. The green works well with the other natural finishes in the room, such as the wooden shelving and the roof lantern, to create a warm and homely feel. As the rest of our house is very characterful, with beams and big replaces, we didn’t want anything too modern to conflict with that. The mantle over the hob gives a cottage feel, while cleverly hiding the extractor fan.
“It’s far larger than we would have dared, but the island on wheels works in the space and we could move it out of the way if we had lots of people over. The dining table with banquette maximises the space in the room and has very useful storage underneath, as well as being a comfy area to relax. We like that the new walk-through area as a utility. I did wonder if full-height cupboards would make the space feel narrow, but with the light finishes that have been used, it’s still a bright and inviting space.”
Designer two
Fariba Khalili is a kitchen design and sales consultant for Norden Kitchens. She has a background in IT with a degree in systems and networks from the University of Hertfordshire, but her passion lies in creative interior design and CGI artistry.
Solution two
“To meet Amy and Will’s brief, I have endeavoured to craft a space that embodies both functionality and rustic charm, creating a family-friendly kitchen that’s also perfect for gatherings. My design features a roof window that floods the room with natural light, as well as glass doors that offer views of the garden. This seamless connection of the indoors with the natural world outside forms the cornerstone of the cottage style, providing a serene backdrop for cooking and dining.
“At the heart of this kitchen lies Shaker-style cabinetry with a wood-effect finish. I’ve chosen the Ashbourne range from Symphony’s Gallery collection in pale Sage, a paint-to-order colour, finished with antique brass handles. These elements enhance the traditional cottage feel. An extendable wooden table is central to the design. It provides ample space for dining as well as food preparation.
“Given the challenge of a low ceiling, I’ve opted for reduced-height wall units, designed to give a sense of openness within the space. Spotlights cast a warm glow, accentuating the splashback and worktops while oak shelves contribute to the welcoming feel. For convenience and safety, I’ve selected an induction hob, plus a built-in microwave above a single oven. This set up is particularly beneficial for hosting larger gatherings and is complemented by an integrated fridge-freezer next to the ovens and a dishwasher to the left of the sink. The inclusion of a classic Belfast-style sink by Caple, coupled with a traditional-style tap, is a nod to the cottage aesthetic.
“A walk-in pantry at the entrance to the kitchen provides storage space and a built-in bar area, which is accessible through elegant French-style doors. This pantry and bar area increase the kitchen’s storage capabilities and add a touch of sophistication. Through careful selection of materials, finishes, and appliances, this design aims to create a kitchen that invites Amy and Will to gather, cook, and create memories together.”
Amy’s verdict
“We love the light in this design. The pale cupboards give it a clean, airy feel. However, while we like the idea of having a central social hub in the middle of the room, we think we might struggle with the kids on stools. It’s interesting that both designs have opted for an L-shaped layout with an integrated full-height fridge freezer and stacked ovens, which we hadn’t thought of. Will is very tall, so he’s pleased that he might be able to peruse the fridge without bending down.
“The built-in bar is a great idea and works well between the living room and the kitchen. We like the darker internal doors as they tie the roof lanterns together in the space, and the pantry would be such a useful addition to the kitchen. We also like the additional storage with the tongue-and-groove panelling; it’s the perfect place for our serving bowls and crockery.”
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