How to make your kitchen extension look natural

Kitchen extensions have the benefit of both increasing your usable space and the value of your house. Using a modern, flowing style ensures you get the best of both worlds by maximising your available space and making the kitchen more attractive to potential future buyers.

Natural colours

The current fashion for extensions is purity. Keeping tones natural and creating blank canvases for you add a splash of your own personality is key. Making the area modern, functional and warm allows the focus to fall on the layout, light and view outside. Outside the extension there is a trend towards white render on period houses and timber cladding to maintain that natural feel.

Eco friendly

There has been a move towards environmentally friendly materials in recent years. Bamboo and low-VOC paint are having a moment. Government regulations regarding energy saving means that homeowners must consider proper insulation and low energy lighting. All of which adds to the feeling of a more natural kitchen extension.

Focus on beautiful lighting

Lighting is a huge part of feeling at one with nature. Skylights can be a design feature in themselves and allow extra light to fall on the room and bring more of the outside in. Make the most of natural light when considering where to place dining tables and armchairs. Glossy units and polished floors reflect and emphasise the light in a room and can give the illusion of space.

It's all about the flow

Flow is a key part of creating a feeling of space and making an extension feel like a natural gateway between kitchen and garden. Consider the style and period of the house and try to incorporate design elements of this into the new section, this provides continuity. This continuity can work out into the garden as well. The colour of kitchen cabinets could be painted onto the outdoor brickwork and planters. White works well for this. Outdoor cooking areas can be set up to mirror the flow and layout of the indoor space.

Doors and windows

Folding and sliding doors that unfold completely to the garden are great for creating flow and opening up space. In some houses, floor to ceiling glass works amazingly to completely remove that barrier between indoors and out. The more windows and doors you have, the more you will be flooded with gorgeous natural light.

Creating beauty underfoot

Flooring works really well to create flow. Choose floor tiles that suggest a flow from kitchen to patio giving the illusion of one large room. Porcelain tiles are a good hardwearing choice for kitchen as they are stain resistant waterproof and scratchproof. A polished finish is great for light reflection and space creation. The right flooring is a good way of unifying different areas of a room and giving a cohesive finish. In particular, for a natural looking extension, mimica porcelain floor tiles are a great choice as they recreate the look of natural materials. Natural wood flooring also does the job as it continues easily into adjoining rooms, giving the feeling of flow.

The author has written and published articles on a wide range of topics including Small Business Advice, Tax and Accounting, Interior Design, House Renovation and Project Management.