to extend or not? with pics

[marchi]

Hello all!

We’re currently debating whether to do an extension (or not!) and would love your input on this layout please.

Kids are late teens so don’t really need more space. But we want to keep the resale value (also for young families) and not do something that might put others off in the future.

We have a Victorian alleyway (2m wide) and a narrow long kitchen.

Current idea is to not extend but bring the outside in.

So we’re considering this:

lower the two kitchen windows to the floor (crittall doors?) to soften the long room shape.

We could use the same tiles (or colours) inside and out.

The patio will be at end.

If you look at the “after” floor plan: the white areas in the alleyway and on the patio are built-in planters/benches.

Entry door to kitchen is at bottom. The “range wall” is left. I’m hoping to put the cooker into the chimney breast (it currently has a working gas fire in it). Then following on the range wall is the sink (with future tap indicated).

Green square: Current water tap/sink location. (We’d need to lay pipes to get to the opposite wall.
Orange square = soil pipe)
Yellow square = public manhole,
pink square = open gully for water from sink, showers, rain pipe. (It would need to be moved as it’s currently in the middle of the future crittal doors.)

I’ve added a small kitchen island (the white block with 4 barstools).

Theres a radiator behind the barstools and the other radiator is by the dining area.

Dining table might be too big. At end of kitchen by dining table is one big crittal door and to the right there’s another crittal window / door.

The pantry area + fridge is at bottom right.

I also attach a pic of our current layout. The blue wedge is meant for a wee loo.

Basically, we’re not planning to extend, just remove a couple of walls and lengthen windows.

What do you think? Possible?
Or scratch this and extend?

would love all and any feedback please

Dont put an island in. The space is too small and it will restrict options for buyers. If you have to, make it a movable one on wheels.

Could you have the table against the left hand wall so people could get past it? Or rotate it 180?

If you move the sink to the other wall you will have to dig the kitchen floor up to put drainage in. I also suspect this could cause issues for your under the stairs loo plan?

thanks for your answer, it’s really appreciated. The island would have 1m clearance to the left, is that not enough?

Yes will make sure there’s more space to get out the back, maybe a smaller table. Rotating it won’t leave enough clearance to the units.

Digging up floor is no problem, that’s what we’ll do anyway but I assume we need boards that can be lifted to access the pipes?

Would you think an extension could add more value? We’re going through all options right now

I like it! Have a look at OurLondonLittleLife (I think!!) On Instagram. They put in a big window across the back overlooking the garden and built in bench seating. They have lovely doors on the side leading to a patio area that theyve just renovated!

If you are just trying to add value rhen i would talk to an estate agent or check right move for what other similar houses near you have done. Advice would be very different if you are in central london vs elsewhere.

I am not a fan of islands so might not be the best person to aak but i dont think you will gain much from it vs having more units on the wall and i think it will make the kitchen feel cluttered and ruin the flow through the space. People will have to squeeze past the cook to get to the table.

If i were going to extend, i would just widen out the end bit and retain a tiny courtyard garden and then plant loads of jungle plants in it.

I think it would work but it’s not very easy to tell from your plans. I would put it in to the DIY kitchens planner, or the IKEA one. They’re really useable and have a 3D view and should give you a better idea of whether it works in reality or not.

1m clearance for an island is not enough, ideally it should be closer to 1.2m as a minimum. I would suggest units on the wall instead but you could have a small breakfast bar with seating if you wanted to break up the kitchen/dining area.