Most homeowners add a ground floor extension to their property and usually expand or relocate their kitchen into it. However, the cost of an extension can become extortionate quickly. Hence, we have some budget extension ideas to help you keep costs down whilst creating an extended space you will love. 

Materials For Your Budget Extension

Extensions usually consist of brick walls, concrete slabs to the floor, a timber or a flat roof, and concrete foundations. Using these materials can help to keep the cost down and allow you to achieve your budget extension whilst maintaining a high standard. 

It can be tempting to add other materials to the extension, like timber cladding. However, this can increase the price considerably.

Extension Shape

Whilst it can be tempting to add unusual angles and shapes to your home to increase modernity, keeping your extension simple can help to reduce costs. Your budget extension will also be easier and faster to install when it takes a rectangular shape. Don’t overcomplicate the structural shape – let the interior do the talking.

Once you have prioritised the shell of the building, light fittings and furniture can be considered. However, expensive adaptations to the interior should be avoided. 

What Layout Will Your Budget Extension Take?

Less is more. Simple is effective. Making the layout of the interior of your extension simple can be more cost-effective than trying to overcomplicate things. 

Draw out a plan of your extension and map out where your furniture or appliances will go to give you a better idea of the space you’re working with. Orientate the furniture to make clear walkways through the room. However, avoid making corridors with the furniture or particularly narrow spaces to keep the room looking bright and airy. 

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There are several varieties of the kitchen extension. From combining adjoining rooms to re-building the kitchen. Or from adding a conservatory to building down into the basement. 

Creating A Thoughtful Kitchen Extension Layout

A lot of kitchen extensions are now open-plan and extend into the back garden. They can often take inspiration from orangeries.

Extending to the side can also be beneficial when you want to keep your garden space. 

One kitchen extension idea is to utilise storage space. Large, tall cupboards can create plenty of useable storage. Open shelving systems ensure the items you most often use are to hand when you need them – ideal for family homes. 

Extending Into The Outside

Expansive glass doors and skylights can help to fill the space with natural light. Thus, bringing the outside indoors.  

Kitchen extensions benefit from losing a wall and installing glass panels or doors. Sliding or bi-folding doors can open the space to unite the two areas in summer and allow plenty of natural light in winter.

A seamless flow into the garden can prevent a small kitchen from feeling enclosed. Instead, the kitchen extension feels open and airy.  

Mixing Materials In Your Kitchen Extension

Leaving bricks exposed on the inside will give your extension character and warmth. Irregularity of colour and texture will pick up other tones throughout the room too. 

Splashes of colour to the furnishings and even to the wall can lift the kitchen extension too. 

As an alternative, you could unify with a theme. Another kitchen extension idea is to use a single material throughout to keep an open feel. For example, wood works well in a country kitchen. A breakfast bar, seating area and dining space can all incorporate and unite the scheme. 

Creating A Multi-Purpose Space 

More and more people are now living, dining and working from their kitchens. The open-plan kitchen is the epicentre for modern living in new builds and period homes.  

You could create distinct and separate zones for cooking, dining and relaxing. Use a central island to divide the room, or add a breakfast bar to make the space more social. Kitchens can have colour-coded areas to reflect the multi-function of the living space. 

Summary 

Kitchen extensions can cost a lot of money and take time, thought and consideration. Yet, they have the potential to transform your home. They can boost your floorspace and have the potential to increase your home’s value. After all, kitchens are the heart of our home. 

The post How To Maximise The Potential Of Your Kitchen Extension appeared first on Windows Manchester.

Orangeries were typically used for growing orange plants hence the name. Homeowners over the years have fallen in love with the design and space provided by orangeries.

Because of the brickwork of an orangery, it provides the look of a real extension on the side or back of your home. One of the orangery main design features is the rigid columns and flat roof.

Why Should I Consider Purchasing An Orangery?

Previously we have said that one of the best features of having an orangery is that it looks like more of an extension to your property.

Here are our favourite and top 4 benefits of an orangery.

Loads Of Natural Light

Orangeries are a great way to let light enter your home. Designed with large glass panes and window frames allow for more light to enter the orangery. Furthermore, this will make your orangery feel more relaxing and spacious.

Increases The Value Of Your Property

At some point, you may wish to sell your property and move into a new one. Adding an orangery to your current property can increase the sale value by up to 6% of the current property.

However, not only will adding an orangery help increase the value of your home. They can also help to sell the property. Orangeries are beautiful in design and style, especially to those looking to purchase a property. Having an orangery could come down to the deciding factor when people come to look at your property.

Use Your Orangery In Different Ways

If you own an orangery you can use it to your heart’s content. Here are some more great ways that you can use your orangery.

• Lounge
• Dining Room
• Games Room
• Play Area
• Office
• Gym / Workout Area

Once you have decided what you would like to use your orangery for. You can then kit it out with furniture and accessories.

Add Extra Features

An orangery can bring your garden closer to your ho

Benefits Of An Orangery

Orangeries were typically used for growing orange plants hence the name orangery. However, over recent years, homeowners have taken to using orangeries for extra living space. 

Orangeries provided ample space, and because of the style of brickwork on an orangery, it looks like a real extension on the side or back of your home. One of the orangery main design features is the rigid columns and lantern roof.

Why Should I Consider Purchasing An Orangery?

Earlier we told you about one of the best features of an orangery is its ability to look more like an extension to your property. Below are our favourite benefits of an orangery and why we recommend one.

Bundles Of Natural Light

Orangeries are a great way for natural light to enter your home with large glass windows and a lantern roof, allowing for more natural light and a relaxing and spacious room.

Add Value To Your Property

When you are ready to sell your property and move on to a new home, your orangery on your current property can increase the sale value by up to 6%. Furthermore, not only helping to increase the value of your home, they can be a talking point when it comes to selling your property too. Orangeries can be both beautiful and accomodating in design, especially to someone looking to purchase your property. Sometimes an orangery could be the deciding factor when selling your property.

Extra Features

Bring your garden closer to your home, bi-fold doors are a great way to open your orangery up to your garden, and they can add style to your new extension.

Different Ways To Use An Orangery 

Here are some more great ways to make use of your orangery.

• A new lounge or living area
• Entertaining or dining room
• The perfect games room
• A children’s play area
• During the current climate, a home office
• Covert it to a gym or workout area

Whatever you decide to use your orangery for, we hope this post has been helpful.

The post Orangeries And The 4 Benefits Of Owning One appeared first on Windows Manchester.