Kitchens get the growth spurt

With more people deciding to stay put instead of buy elsewhere in London, people are looking for innovative ways to maximise their property’s space. One solution, and a project that is most prominent for NU Projects, as Fulham builders, is the addition of a side return extension.

In South West and East London, the majority of residential properties in the area are terraced. Built in the Victorian era, the original floor plan of the ground floor consists of a front drawing room, a separate dining room, and separate kitchenette. This layout, to today’s modern homeowner, is not practical. People prefer an open planned, spacious living experience. A more sociable layout.

A side return extension means expanding the property wall at the back of the house into the alleyway at the side of the property. The majority of period properties have this alleyway which, unless you need extra outdoor storage, is seen as wasted space. Expanding into this area and pushing the kitchen wall out to the party wall creates a more valuable square footage. Some homeowners take the full plunge combining a side return extension with a rear extension, titled ‘doing the wrap around’.

NU Projects have constructed multiple side return extensions, producing beautiful open planned living spaces for clients. With this added space, a dining table can be incorporated into the room, a kitchen island too, and even a social seating area. Home-owners can socialise and host at the same time, NU Projects seeing it as a simple but highly effective home renovation move.

Builders and interior designers are very aware of maximising space in small London home renovations, especially when it comes to opening up the kitchen. It doesn’t stop with adding a side return extension. There are additional niche ways of making hidden, and often forgotten spaces practical.

As IdealHome has pointed out, it is all about maximising storage space. Use that hidden alcove above the fridge to store that wedding cutlery. Add multifunctional furniture like a slim-line island, to store your baking utensils while preparing a Sunday roast.

Floating shelves turn storage into display, and take up less room than a cupboard. They only work if the plates and bowls behind them are kept in order.

You may think your kitchen is too small, even with an added extension. Even so, the right design choices will make a small kitchen work harder than a larger one that was never planned.

The rendition of a banquet table is back in fashion for 2018. Incorporating a bench into your kitchen seating is a highly effective way of increasing numbers at dinner parties, and when done right, adds an eclectic flair to your hosting space.

Make your kitchen personal. For many people, the hardest room to add individuality to, and a touch of artistry, is the kitchen. Yes, it is a functional room, but it deserves to be a showcase too. Even with little space, personality can be added as homedit.com have pointed out: Keen gardener? Add a walled herb garden. List addict? Use chalkboard paint on the back of your door. A colour fanatic? A mosaic splashback brings colour into a small kitchen without taking any space from it.

A side return extension costs money, and on a Victorian terrace it usually returns it in both space and value. NU Projects builds them in Fulham, Chelsea and Sheen.

To talk to the team, send two lines through the contact form. You can also call 020 7731 6841. We usually reply within a few hours, weekends included.