Stunning Kitchen Extension Ideas — Get the Perfect Design

bright kitchen extension ideas with rooflight

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

Our collection of brilliant kitchen extension ideas will give prospective projects food for thought and plenty of design inspiration. No matter what stage your project is at, these ideas of all shapes sizes and budget (including before and after galleries) are both achievable and show-stopping.

One of the most popular reasons for building an extension, creating a bigger kitchen space is a great way to curate a new hub of the family home.

From small side returns on a terrace houses to full-width rear extensions on semi-detached properties, kitchen extensions offer the chance to rearrange a layout which doesn't quite work for your lifestyle and can give a tired home a new lease of life.

Use Kitchen Extension Ideas to Create a Great Brief

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corten clad rear kitchen extension to detached house — Wanting to maximise space in their dated 1930s house renovation and prioritise it for family living, Ed and Melissa Addington chosen an open-plan layout with defined spaces (Image credit: Chris Snook)

(MORE: How to maximise potential in a 1930s House Renovation)

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kitchen extension of detached house before and after — BEFORE (Image credit: Ed Addington)

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kitchen extension with family room layout — A quiet family space sits around the corner from the main kitchen and dining area. (Image credit: Chris Snook)

Whether you're working with an architect, designer or doing the planning on a DIY basis, hunting around to find kitchen ideas, designs and styles that inspire you, or would work with your existing home, is a fantastic starting point to work out a priority list.

Try to consider what the new kitchen space will be used for. Kitchens are rarely used simple to cook in anymore, so considering family seating, a small home office space or a children's play area will help kick start the layout.

(MORE: How to Create a Design Brief)

Add a Rear Extension to a Semi-Detached House

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white rendered rear kitchen extension — The homeowner of this three-bedroom semi-detached house in Shropshire built a rear kitchen extension to make room for their family. The key to the design was to create flexible spaces that would adapt as the children grew older and priorities changes. (Image credit: Mo Photo c/o KE-Design)

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semi detached home with kitchen extension before and after — BEFORE: The house had a tiny kitchen and an old conservatory that was only usable three months of the year. The conservatory was knocked down and replaced with a flat-roofed extension and a new bedroom on the second storey. (Image credit: Ros Bridges)

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Kitchen extension ideas with working space — The concealed work space was built-in just after the first lockdown in 2020. The kitchen designer created a space that could be closed off after work. (Image credit: Mo Photo c/o KE-Design)

(MORE: Home Office Design)

Creating much-needed space with a rear kitchen extension can transform a semi detached home. It's not often this style of homes is organised to make the most of garden views or to house a large, open-plan cooking area so extending to the back can unlock their potential.

(MORE: Rear Extension Ideas)

Transform a Galley Kitchen with an L-shaped Wrap-around Extension

galley kitchen with island in kitchen extension — *The new steel beams of this extension reveal the previous layout of the existing home. Cleverly the* *galley kitchen* *has ben opened up with a wrap-around extension that provides a new dining space and seating area.* (Image credit: LochAnna Kitchens)

Open up a dark and pokey galley kitchen with a wrap around extension. Extending out to the rear and side will not only increase a home's value, but by rearranging the existing rooms to suit a particular lifestyle will also make the layout flow more easily.

Open Out Onto the Garden Using a Small Kitchen Extension

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small kitchen extension ideas for terrace houses — A small side extension was all that was needed to unlock the potential of this classic terrace house. Copious amounts of glazing provide the homeowners with a greater connection to the garden, even in dreary weather. (Image credit: c/o Create Bespoke)

(MORE: Side Return Extensions)

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modern kitchen extension with green tiles — The picture window looking out towards the garden is inlayed with Iroko timber. (Image credit: c/o Create Bespoke)

(MORE: Picture Windows)

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terrace house before kitchen extension — BEFORE: While the space is a similar size, the transformation is incredible. (Image credit: Jess Young)

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kitchen extension ideas with large sliding doors — A large sliding door is a great way to create a connection with the garden. (Image credit: c/o Create Bespoke)

(MORE: Patio Doors)

Kitchen extensions don't have to be huge, sprawling design to transform an existing house. By utilising large glazing and window styles and other small kitchen extension ideas, a greater connection with the garden can be established without making it smaller.

Bifold or sliding patio doors are fantastic options that offer views out all year round, while getting inspired by orangery designs and installing a large roof lantern can bring in plenty of natural light to the new space.

Go Sustainable When Choosing Fixtures and Fittings

second hand kitchen in new extension — (Image credit: Used Kitchen Exchange)

While a brand new kitchen bespoke to the space and your lifestyle is extremely tempting during a project, considering a second hand kitchen is an amazing way to cut-costs or get a higher-quality finish for less.

This beautiful walnut kitchen in an orangery-inspired extension was originally priced at £60,000 and designed for another family home. The new owner bought it from the Used Kitchen Exchange for just £9,000 complete with Miele appliances.

The Hub of the Home: A Kitchen and Family Room Extension

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rear extension to semi detached house — Although simple, this new extension to a semi-detached home creates the perfect spot for the young family to catch up after a long day — including a small seating area and a long table to gather round during meal times. (Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

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family room and kitchen extension — The homeowners designed the kitchen to be a great space to entertain, right down to an extra sink which can be filled with ice to chill wine. They also fitted LVT flooring to withstand the high traffic of the new family and kitchen space. (Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

(MORE: Designing a Kitchen Island)

Open plan has long dominated kitchen extension layout designs, and for good reason, but be sure to take the time to organise the space from the early planning stages.

For ideas on how to design a combined kitchen, diner and family room – from circulation spaces to buying appliances – take a look at our guide to open plan kitchens.

Mix Materials for a Stand-out Kitchen Extension

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corten clad rear kitchen extension ideas — This terrace kitchen extension used corten steel to complement the shades within the original Victorian brickwork. (Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

(MORE: Extensions for Every Budget)

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blue kitchen in a large extension — The open-plan space features a kitchen from DeVOL and a family sitting area. (Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

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kitchen extension with rooflights and sliding doors — Sliding pocket doors provide views of the garden, while a custom roof window also bring natural light deep into the floorplan. (Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

A new extension is not just an opportunity to transform interior spaces, but also to give the exterior of a tired or dated home a refresh and regeneration.

Opting for interesting house cladding choices can take an extension from being a square box to a stunning new space with wow-factor.

(MORE: Cladding Alternatives)

Extend to the Side for a Spacious Terrace Kitchen

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glass filled orangery kitchen extension — Indoor-ourdoor tiles have been laid over underfloor heating in this terrace extension before leading out to the garden patio for a seamless transition. (Image credit: David Barbour)

(MORE: Glazed Kitchen Extensions)

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kitchen extension to terrace house with layout remodel — While the side-return extension only added 13m2, the ground floor had been opened up to create a sociable kitchen, dining and living space. The room at the front of the house, however, can be closed off for some privacy. (Image credit: David Barbour)

Utilising the wasted space to the side of a terrace house is one of the most popular extension designs. Essentially doubling the size of the kitchen space, often a dining or sitting area is created.

Amy Reeves

Assistant Editor Amy began working for Homebuilding & Renovating in 2018. She has an interest in sustainable building methods and always has her eye on the latest design ideas. Amy has interviewed countless self builders, renovators and extenders about their experiences for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine. She is currently renovating a mid-century home, together with her partner, on a DIY basis, and has recently fitted her own kitchen.