Expanding your house to transform it into a warm and welcoming family home can seem like a daunting endeavour, especially when space feels limited. Kent, with its diverse array of homes, offers a unique canvas for house extensions. Whether you own a brand-new build, an iconic Kentish residence, or a charming seaside escape, a house extension can be the key to realising your dream home.

A Vision Realised by Design

At Craymanor by Lamorbey Ltd, we specialise in crafting your vision into reality. Our commitment to your project begins with free architectural drawings and a comprehensive home feasibility study. This initial step allows us to offer expert guidance on the most suitable type of house extension for your property and budget. Here are the various options available:

1. Side Return Extension: Utilise the alleyway on the side of your house to create additional living space, expanding your possibilities.
2. Rear Extension: Create a family-friendly open-plan area for quality time and gatherings.
3. Wrap-Around Extensions: These combine the benefits of side return and rear extensions, optimising the ground floor’s available space.
4. Kitchen Extensions: Fulfil your dream of an open-plan kitchen that becomes the heart of your home.
5. Double-Story Extensions: Ideal for those seeking to maximise their home’s available space.
6. Loft Conversions: Transcend the conventional use of your loft and enhance your living space.
7. Garage and Kitchen Extensions: Repurpose underutilised spaces into functional and enjoyable areas.
8. Conservatories: Infuse your living space with light and the beauty of your garden.

Kent’s architectural diversity, from modern eco-homes to historic medieval houses, necessitates consideration of local regulations. Listed buildings and conservation areas require special attention. If your property falls into one of these categories, acquiring planning permission is essential. It’s always prudent to verify the local regulations with your planning office. Rest assured, we boast a 98% success rate in securing planning permissions from the local authorities in Sidcup and beyond.

Why Choose Craymanor by Lamorbey for Your Kent House Extension?

At Craymanor, we provide end-to-end services, ensuring your project is executed seamlessly. Our fixed-price house extensions guarantee no unpleasant surprises. However, any deviations from the agreed-upon contract during the project may result in additional charges. We offer:

• Fixed prices
• Design and planning
• Project management
• The actual construction of your extension
• Dedicated customer service

We’ve been at the forefront of transforming houses across London and Kent. Our designs usher in maximum natural light, and we utilise every available space in a functional manner. Kitchens become culinary dreamscapes, utility rooms increase efficiency, and bedrooms radiate peace and comfort.

The cost of a house extension in Kent varies based on your objectives, the build’s size, materials, and the type of extension. On average, the cost range for extension builds is as follows:

• Side Return Extension Kent: £35,000
• Rear Kitchen Extension Kent: £40,000
• Wrap-Around Extension Kent: £55,000
• Double Story Extension Cost Kent: £75,000 and beyond

Unlocking Possibilities, Expanding Dreams

Side return extensions in Kent significantly enhance your home’s value by optimising previously unused spaces. These extensions are strategically built on the side and rear of your home, turning annoying wasted spaces into capacious, well-lit rooms.

Our expertise in creating kitchen extensions in Kent has gained recognition. Whether your project is a large kitchen extension or a smaller rear kitchen extension, we’ve consistently delivered customer satisfaction. Explore our kitchen extension portfolio for a glimpse of what’s possible.

Kent’s unique homes, diverse in history and style, offer a rich landscape for house extensions. Whatever your vision, we’re here to turn your dream into a reality.

Unlock the potential of your Kent home today with a house extension by Craymanor.

As you your family starts to grow and you gather more and more household stuff over the years, the house may start to feel a bit cluttered making you wish you could simply extend your house.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of moving house or cannot afford to buy a bigger one, a house extension would probably be your best bet.

When it comes to home extensions, you’ve got two broad options – building outwards or building upwards. In this post, we share our top four ideas to extend your house outwards.

Major Benefits of Building Outwards

Building outwards might be a costlier option compared to extending a house upwards because there will be fewer structural elements that you need to consider. But if building upwards isn’t something you envision, the next best option is to expand the house outwards. And usually, there will be fewer disturbances to the house this way – you won’t need to vacate your home while the work is being carried out. Finally, extending your house outwards may help your entire family get a great outdoor area to relax and socialise.

4 Effective Ideas to Building Outwards

Side and rear extensions are the two most sought-after options among homeowners, who choose to extend their homes outwards. Here, we’ve included our top five picks including both options to help you choose from.

#1 Build a Sunroom

Despite the terms “conservatory” and “sunroom” are often used interchangeably, they’ve got distinct differences in purposes. While conservatories are ideal for gardening, sunrooms are built to add more living space to a house. You need to separate a conservatory from the main house to lower energy loss. A sunroom, also known as a solarium, is an extension having big glazing areas along with one insulated wall and an insulated roof. You can open a sunroom to the rest of your home and unlike a conservatory, its temperature can be easily regulated.

#2 Go For a Kitchen Extension

A kitchen extension is one of the most popular side house extensions because it not only helps to create a more inclusive house but you can use it for multiple purposes as well. A well-designed and airy extension can transform the look and feel of your existing kitchen instantly while providing you with additional space. You can also choose to include bi-fold doors to improve the ventilation of the house and give it that impressive look.

#3 Add a Bathroom

 

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This is a popular rear extension idea that not only helps to meet your growing needs but increases the value of the house too. But remember, if you’re doing a bathroom extension just to add to your home’s value, it’d be good as long as it’s well-designed and well-maintained. The addition of things like bold colours, metallic features, skylights, etc can easily help you achieve a stylish bathroom.

#4 Add an Office Space

There are many people who struggle to work from home without distractions. If you too belong to this league, adding a new office space could be the best rear extension idea for you. There are lots of innovative ideas that you can consider for this purpose. From multipurpose storage boxes to unique bookshelves – various things can be added to the new space so that it can be utilised by the whole family. You can also try to place your desk next to a window if that might add to your productivity.

Parting Thoughts

Despite its advantages, building outwards might be the perfect solution if you’ve got enough area, using which won’t take up your garden space. If you feel that the available spare space in your house may not be enough to execute the above extension ideas, consider talking to a reputable builder or architectural design consultant to transform your ideas into reality as you extend your house.

In this post, we’re going to discuss the key factors that determine your house extension cost.

Undeniably, when it comes to increasing a home’s existing space, a house extension is the most popular and effective option. It not only makes a home more spacious but more functional as well.

For any homeowner who is thinking of extending their home, the first thing to do is set the right budget for your house extension.

Of course, you’ll need to hire a cost consultant or contact a reputable builder for a free home feasibility study to get accurate cost estimates but understanding the following factors beforehand would help you set the right expectations right from the start as house extension costs can vary.

Factors That Contribute To Your House Extension Cost

Specifications

In any house extension project, specification is one of the biggest factors that can dramatically impact the total cost. The quality of products, materials and the kind of finishes you want to have are probably the first thing you’d want to consider while making these calculations.

If you list top-quality fittings and finishes in your specifications, the cost is likely to be a lot more than what standard-quality materials will cost you. It pays to be realistic.

Type of Extension

You probably know already that there are many different types of home extension projects that can be executed. From basement and rear extensions to side extensions and loft conversions, with kitchen and bathroom layouts to consider – a lot can be achieved if you’ve got the area and the money.

It is always a good idea to research what type of house extension will work best with the existing layout of your house because this will have a direct impact on the cost. For example, a garage extension or a simple loft conversion will cost significantly less than the addition of an annex or a glass extension. A basement extension would probably cost much more.

Number of storeys

It’s important to note that larger extensions would help you get the maximum out of your investment, thanks to economies of scale.

Assuming you’ll be keeping the same specifications, a two-storey extension would not cost more (per metre square) compared to a single-storey extension. This is because you will still need to add floor joists and walls in both cases to build the foundations and the roof.

Some homeowners opt to have a two-storey extension instead of a single-storey because it is better value when it is possible. What you need to remember is in the case of a two-storey extension, the overall cost will be higher, but your cost per metre square will be lower, comparatively.

Location

If your house is in an upscale neighbourhood, you are likely to spend more on extension costs because you may want your house to blend in with other pricey houses in your estate.

On the other hand, if the house is situated in a gated community, there might be restrictions on modifying the facades of the homes. For example, you might be limited to executing only rear house extension projects or make use of the backyard space, so it doesn’t tower over other people’s backyards.

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The above factors will consume most of your house extension budget, there are several other factors to consider as well. These may include architectural consultant fees, structural engineering costs, and planning application fees, to name a few.

Additionally, you will pay VAT on materials and labour at a standard rate as part of your house extension cost.

If you’re up for it, you may want to manage your house extension project yourself. Taking such a route will definitely help you lower your house extension cost dramatically, but you should expect to invest a considerable amount of time and effort to ensure everything goes smoothly.

On the other hand, hiring a chartered building company and consultancy means the team you hire will be responsible for the entire project – from contacting individual trades to get the best deals to monitoring the work and ensuring timely completion, minimising the disruption to your home life.

Remember, it is wise to obtain 3-4 quotes from reputable local builders before selecting the one you think will deliver on your vision. If we are local to you, that may be us!

If you need a pricing guide and are based in or near Sidcup/Bexley/Kent, give us a call or drop us a line.

A kitchen extension can open up space, and easily transform your home into a beautiful modern area that is comfortable to live in. The extension you choose will max out your living and cooking space, and increase the value of your home.

If you’ve always wanted to scale up space and live more comfortably, an open-plan kitchen might be your best bet.

There are many types of kitchen extensions to choose from, and a myriad of ways to use your area to make the house spacious to live in. Here are some of the types of extensions you can choose from:

 

Single Storey Kitchen Extension

 

If your kitchen lacks space, a single-storey kitchen extension can help you with expansions in your home.

You can expand the first floor of your home, and add some space for dining, extra workspace now that work from home is a basic requirement, or space for additional appliances.

Choosing a single-storey extension will enable you to incorporate more space into your home, and provide you with a bigger area to bring in some natural light. It is a cost-effective way for you to have an open plan kitchen space that you’ve always wanted, without needing to move into a bigger space.

 

Side Return Kitchen Extension

If your house has a ‘side return’ (a narrow strip of land that runs alongside the ground floor of a property), it is probably being used to house equipment that you don’t use. Typically, this is used as a storage area.

Usually, side return extensions are built into Victorian or Edwardian era buildings.

Even though it may appear to just be a limited amount of space, it is actually a significant area that can be used to help make your kitchen more spacious.

While side return extensions can also help you save garden space, a side return kitchen extension definitely adds value to your property as it gives you a much larger kitchen bringing more light into your kitchen space. And it only sets you back by £2,000 to £5,000 per square metre, so it is definitely an investment worth considering.

 

Wraparound Kitchen (L-Shaped Extension)

A wrap-around kitchen is an L-shaped extension utilising the extra space outside your kitchen to maximise the space in your home.

It is basically a side-return extension combined with a rear house extension.

For growing families, this is a good option as the kitchen extension can increase space and transform how it feels to be at home. It also helps create a flow between your house and garden bringing the outdoor space in using bi-folding floors, skylights, light-wells or patios.

However, it is worth looking into how to plan a wraparound kitchen extension as it can be quite challenging to create such a space without proper planning.

 

Rear Kitchen Extension

 

In case there is no room to the side of the property that can be expanded upon, a rear extension is a good option.

It can transform the look of a house and create more space at the back and open it up to the garden, enabling you to entertain guests in an open living space. You can use light-wells and skylights to ensure enough light flows into your living area and make it a breathable, comfortable living area.

 

Conservatory-Style Kitchen

 

Usually, conservatories are added to the main house as a separate entity, however, these days, conservatories are used as extensions due to the flexibility they can offer.

Conservatory-style kitchens must be built keeping in mind the exterior and interior of the rooms in your home. These extensions can bring in a lot of light into the kitchen area. However, you must ensure that the glazing is appropriate and can keep the kitchen at the right temperature in summer as well as winter. Make sure the glazing is easily cleanable, as they may gather grease or dirt from cooking.

With conservatory kitchen extensions, you do save a lot more than with a typical house extension because conservatories are priced depending on the size and style you require, while house extensions are priced per square metre.

 

Planning Permissions

Once you pick an extension, you must find out if you require planning permission for it, and check with the council, as rules may differ based on your location, property type, or proximity to next door.

Zeroing in on the kind of kitchen extension may be contingent on the size and shape of the space available outside your home, and by what is allowed by your local council.

The most common kitchen extensions are either side return extensions or wrap-around extensions but you must choose an extension based on what you like and what suits you most. You can also get a free home feasibility study and use the advice you get to plan a kitchen extension that will make your home more spacious and useful for daily use while staying within your budget.

 

Planning to move to a bigger space? Considering what type of house extension is right for you? Why not opt for a double storey expansion?

Not only will it transform the way your house looks, it can also easily accommodate the needs of a growing family. Living large doesn’t have to be too expensive either because double storey expansions are also known to be cost-effective as compared to investing in a bigger property and they add value to your property. 

Why add a double storey extension?

The main reason that people opt for double storey extensions is the amount of space it affords them. The reasons may differ, be it space for family, a home office, a need for a larger living space, or simply upgrading your house for luxurious living. 

Consider your needs and priorities. Do you need more storage space or a bigger kitchen? Are you looking to add bedrooms or a nursery for your children? You may need more space over two floors or a spacious balcony. You may even want to add a guest room or a master bedroom if that accommodates your needs. If your priority is luxury living, you may want to add a home cinema or a games room.

How do I design a two-storey extension?

Keeping in mind all your needs, you can plan both the storeys in your home. Design the house according to how much space you have, and what will work for you. 

For instance, on the ground floor, if you are building a large kitchen, then you can use some amount of space for storage purposes. On the second storey, you can decide to have your master bedroom, or two bedrooms, and add a bathroom and shower to one of these rooms.

When adding the upper storey, make sure its design and interiors match the lower storey. Use similar elements and colour schemes to keep the design harmony. Even if the same materials can’t be used, you can use those that match the lower storey, or even use a design that makes it blend in perfectly. 

Make sure that the stairway to the upper storey is designed keeping the new additions in mind, and you can also use them for storage. 

Work with an architectural design consultant to ensure that there is enough natural light in the house, and there are no compromises made on the space you have for your garden. You must be careful while deciding exactly where you wish to extend the space. Keep your budget in mind while planning the extension and the designs and make use of free home feasibility studies to get professional advice.

What about planning permissions and building regulations?

Not all double storey extensions will require planning permissions.

For instance, a detached or semi-detached property may not need permissions and have certain restrictions based on maximum height, footprint, materials, location, etc.

You may also have to take permissions to build a verandah or a balcony in your house. Again, if you choose an experienced builder, they will have ties with the authorities because of their track record of successfully obtaining planning permissions.

However, if your property is terraced or is in a designated area, you are required to seek planning permission. Usually, you require launching a planning application, if:

• The extension is taller than 4m
• It includes a raised veranda or a balcony
• It covers more than half the area of land surrounding the house
• It extends more than 6m from the rear of an attached house
• It extends more than 8m from the rear of a detached house
• It extends towards a road
• It is more than half the width of your house
• It increases the overall height of the building
• The extension is built using different materials as compared to those of the original house.
  

Your double-storey extension is also subject to building regulations, and you are required to get building regulation documents approved by the local authority’s building control department. The building regulations cover fire safety, structure, site preparation, toxic substances, resistance to contaminants and moisture, ventilation, soundproofing, hygiene, waste disposal, access, conservation of fuel and power, glazing, and electrical safety. Make sure you have taken all the requisite planning permissions before you start building your extension.

How much does a double storey extension cost?

To give you a rough idea right off the bat, a typical good quality double storey extension will cost you £1,300 to £1,800 per square metre, and the total cost starts at around £40,000 if the size of your extension is 30 m2. But the cost of adding a two-storey extension to your house varies greatly depending on your specifications, just as you would expect. 

The size, complexity and location all factor into your cost for this as well, but as a rule, it will be more cost-effective than moving houses and cheaper per square metre than a one-storey extension. Now, if both the storeys or floors in the extension are the same size, the two-storey extension tends to cost 50-75% more than the one-storey. 

Adding a fitted kitchen can add £8,000 to £15,000 to your costs, a bathroom £4,500 to £9,000, and then of course, the area of the extension factors in greatly as well, as you can see below. 

Build time is another thing to consider, which will vary based on the efficiency of labour, weather conditions, Covid-related tier restrictions in your local area, the size of the extension and whether multiple pieces of work can be scheduled simultaneously. Of course, if you want a quicker turnaround, your builders can add more labour at an additional cost to you to finish a 10-12 week double extension project in 8-10 weeks, but it is best not to rush delicate work.

Typically speaking, a 30 m² double extension takes 8-10 weeks, a 60 m² one takes 10-12 weeks, and a 100 m² two storey extension will take 12-14 weeks to complete, and the cost will increase based on your desired build time. 

You should also consider fees and costs of adding underfloor heating, new boiler system if required, any surveyor or architect fees, and planning fees or certificates needed for lawful development. 

There is a lot of work and effort that goes into adding a double storey extension to your property so the best thing to do is to find an experienced local builder that offers integrated services (such as architectural design) under one roof to give you the best advice.

If you are based in Kent, especially if you are in or near the Sidcup area, you should definitely consider Craymanor because we have been doing this work for over 30 years now.

Finding professional builders around your area could be a difficult task especially when there are so many options to choose from. When you’re scouting for a builder in Sidcup, Kent, for your maintenance or repair work, be sure to look for feedback on their services and ratings. Pick the builder that best suits your needs and budget. Here are some of the services that builders in Sidcup typically offer: 

1. House Extensions

If you are planning to have extensions in your home, hiring a top-tier builder company is your best option. A bigger house means more space for your family, and house extensions will enable you to have that without having to make a huge investment in a new home. Extensions could be cost-effective, especially if you can find builders that can deliver without an architect and will help you get the space you’ve always wanted for your growing family.

The top builders in Sidcup offer all types of extensions, be it front extensions, kitchen extensions, side-return extensions, rear extensions, wraparound extensions, basement extensions, garden room extensions, double garage extensions, double storey extensions, etc.

Based on your needs and budget, your builder will suggest the best extension for your home. For larger home extensions, find out what’s permitted in the larger home extension scheme so you set your expectations just right. 

Click-through for more house extension design ideas and possibilities.

2. Kitchen Extensions & Remodelling

Most of the top-builders in Kent offer kitchen remodelling services, where they help you redesign your kitchen and tailor it according to your needs. There are design consultants or architects that can help you with kitchen revamp ideas and can specify how you can remodel your kitchen.

If you want an expansive kitchen, you can have one designed, and if you need bigger cabinets or better countertops or appliances, better storage and nooks, flooring, and other things, the builders will help you with the necessary remodelling.  

3. Refurbishments

Builders in Sidcup also offer renovations and refurbishment services for your home or office offering a varied range, be it minor alteration or bigger renovation/remodelling services. This can include conversions, painting, decorating, replacement of doors, windows, and services like rendering, plastering damp proofing, and plumbing work. They can help you design, plan, and implement the refurbishments and help you achieve the best results while working within your budgetary constraints. 

4. Conservatories

When you contract conservatory installers for your home in Kent, you can expect good roofing options and glazing to insulate your home. Kent conservatories are typically weatherproofed using good materials to fit the new space. Most conservatory builders offer a range of styles, like Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian, L shaped, P-shaped, or lean-to conservatories that you can pick from based on what works best for your home and needs. 

Whatever the case, there are pros and cons of house conservatories that you should always consider before selecting a builder that specialises in conservatories.

5. Bathroom Fitting Services

Most of the top builders in Sidcup also offer bathroom renovation or refurbishment services based on your specific requirements. The bathroom fitters will help you find the perfect bathroom fittings based on your budget and taste, be it tiling, sanitary-ware, or other fittings to make your bathroom more aesthetically appealing and functional.

Be sure to ask for before/after photos of bathroom refurbishments they have done in the past to understand and evaluate the quality of their work.

6. Glazing

Builders can also help you with placing glass in your building, known as glazing. Choose a builder in Sidcup who can do a good glazing job, as it will help in letting light in, protect the building, and conserve heat.

Glazing can be done anytime during the building process and used anywhere, and a good builder typically offers glazing services for windows and doors, roofs, entrances, etc.

Double-glazing is a popular service with most builders as they are good at trapping heat and preventing noise pollution. For this reason, single glazed windows are now considered outdated.  

Double or single glazing can be used in conservatories constructed in UPVC, rear projections in family rooms and kitchens, and bi-fold doors, to give a few examples besides windows.

7. Maintenance

Most builders here offer decent maintenance services be it minor or major, and offer the best support in preventive maintenance. Regular wear and tear due to daily use is a common occurrence in most homes, and your local builders can help you with motor or major repairs, testing electrical or plumbing fixes, certifications, and other maintenance services in your building. 

A select few also offer a free home feasibility study that can help you understand what maintenance services or upgrades could

8. Garage Conversions

Builders in Sidcup offer garage installation services, where they can help you choose the best material for your garage to help accommodate and protect your car or motorcycle, and also create space for storage. Various designs and services can also be availed based on the builder you choose and most of them will tailor the designs based on your specific requirements. 

If you reside in Sidcup (or anywhere in Kent) and are looking for a good builder, make sure that they are located close by and have received good feedback and reviews. A builder who is willing to take your needs into account and is committed to delivering excellent services is always the best bet for your building needs.

Sidcup High Street: We here at Craymanor Architectural Consultancy are delighted to have received planning consent for a new 16-room house of multi-occupancy (HMO) with amenities spaces.

The development is in the car park to the rear of a shop in Sidcup High Street.

We were involved in the development from the inception stage (at purchase) advising our client, following a pre-application with the planning office, to establish the extent that the site could be developed.

This has followed through to a full planning application, where, again we worked closely with the team leaders at the London Borough of Bexley (building and planning control) office, environmental health and the HMO office to obtain planning consent for this excellent use of the otherwise underused and undervalued site.

The building side of our business will now undertake the development of the project and are now closely working with a local timber framed supplier to build out the development for the 2021 student intake for local dance schools and colleges.

We work closely with our chartered town planner and computer generated imagery consultants (CGI), to produce an “as built render” of how the scheme will look, setting it within the framework of the existing street scene.  Undoubtedly, it was this extra effort that enabled us to be successful that supported our excellent grant of planning permission.

Not to mention, our office is also based in Sidcup in close proximity to the site at Sidcup High Street, in Kent.

Header image © Copyright Chris Whippet and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The original 2013 Larger Home Extension scheme (after May 2019) is now here to stay.

Initially the 2013 government scheme was introduced to encourage and improve the building economy and expected to last for a temporary period of 3 years. The scheme is now made permanent and householders will be able to permanently build larger single storey rear extensions under permitted development planning rights.

The size limits of the larger home extension scheme remain increased from 4 meters to 8 meters for detached houses and from 3 meters to 6 meters for all other houses.

The new larger extensions must go through the following process:

• The new home owner must notify the local planning authority with plans and the description of the work they propose.
• The local authority may ask for further information about the impact of the development on the adjoining properties.
• The local authority must serve a notice on adjoining owners who share a boundary; this will give the address of the proposed development and describe the extent of the proposed extension. The notice will also set out, amongst other things, how long neighbours have to make objections, and a copy of this notice will also be sent to the Architect.
• If an adjoining neighbour raises an objection within the notification period the local authority will take these comments into account and make a decision on whether the impact on the adjoining property is acceptable.
• If the local authority refuse their consent for the Larger Extension the Architect or customer may appeal. However here at Craymanor Limited we work closely with council planning officers and clients to maximise the chances of approval for any planning application under this scheme.

There are other planning matters which need to be formalised but are not discussed here with the exception to confirm that it is no longer a requirement for home extensions to be completed within any set time frame.

Where larger home extensions are wanted by our clients it is always possible that neighbours may object to extensions that would be to the maximum 6 or 8 meters deep; this is particularly relevant where houses are terraced or semi-detached as the impact on adjoining properties can be quite considerable.

Therefore, it is imperative that any design proposal properly takes into account the impact on the adjacent neighbours and only to submit applications that are realistic and have proper regard to any negative impact on neighbours.

The architectural and building staff at Craymanor Limited are experts in all of the home extension planning processes and have an excellent 98% success rate in all planning applications we undertake, including those under the Larger Home Extension scheme.

Please feel free to contact us here at Craymanor Limited for a completely free, unbiased home visit or telephone consultation.

“Our Building Excellence Awards are all about the essence of good buildings. Our finalists are not judged on architectural beauty, but on the ‘Excellence’ shown from a construction and technical building control point of view. Our awards recognise not just buildings but celebrate their design and constructions teams that have tussled with technical issues, difficult sites and found innovatvie and creative solutions.”

Want to revamp your kitchen without breaking the bank? We can help you give it a spasmodic upgrade to meet the trends and make your space look exquisite.

There are quite a few things you can do which wouldn’t count as a major overhaul (in terms of cost) but would feel like that’s exactly what you’ve done.

Of course, if it’s an overhaul you’re after, we do specialise in that, but that’s not what this post is about.

Painting all your kitchen furniture can be a lot of work, and it’s not that cheap if done right. What’s the workaround?

We suggest you simply concentrate on the area of the wall above countertops, leaving the rest as it is. Feel free to get a bit creative and look into washable paints, or even wallpapers that look like tiles. You will find that there are a lot of great options to choose from, including wall-coverings that are very easy to install, adhesives included.

By concentrating on only one part of the wall, you can breathe new life into your kitchen’s look and feel. We won’t be surprised if you told us (in the comments below) how it feels like a brand new kitchen once the paint dries up.

Even the work of repainting this section will be therapeutic, so why not give it a go?

It’s not exactly a mind-blowing idea to install shelves, but it can do so much both in terms of creating an inclusive open space while also giving you more storage space.

What’s the point of cluttering up your cupboards and pantry closets when you can use sections of empty walls to gain some storage space? Of course, this would be a good place to showcase any fancy kitchenware you have.

If you want to take the same concept a step further, get hold of some crate boxes from the flower shop when it’s about to close, and place it in an unused corner of the kitchen to store pots, or potatoes even.

And just like that, with just a couple of additions, you’ve increased access, opened up the room, added more storage space and spent almost nothing in doing so.

The more you turn it on, the more it flows. But if your faucet is leaky, replacing it with a bold colour is a no brainer.

It’s amazing how stylish a kitchen can look with a red or black faucet. They’re not very expensive, fairly easy to install, and a great chance for you to give this space a bit more attention.

Faucets are often relegated to the background but here is a chance for you to make your kitchen more attractive with a simple change that is pretty cost effective.

And if you’re someone who spends a lot of time bent over the sink, you will start looking forward to that time with a brand new and bold tap, that doesn’t leak either.

Replacing your old chairs can give your kitchen a new life. Not only do they help you set a new tone of the room, if you pick the right ones you can add splash of colour as well.

If you have a round table, you want to get round chairs, square chairs for a square table and so on. But that’s just a guideline. One of the funkiest kitchens we’ve seen had a wide array of styles and designs so that every chair was unique. And it looked great.

Visit thrift shops for some good bargains and don’t miss your local charity shop for a good steal. It’s often the case that people find a good bargain on chairs only to find out it will cost them a fortune to have them delivered.

If you’re trying to be funky with different types of chairs, just use your own sense of style to judge if they all share a common theme, design element or style to bring it all together on your dining table.

One of the easiest ways to give your kitchen a brand new look is to simply replace the cabinets. We say easy because you can set your budget and then find the best design that fits within that. But it’s not an easy decision to make because the best cabinets need to be coordinated with everything else in the kitchen.

This wouldn’t be a cheat sheet if it meant redoing your whole kitchen, so our advice is to find cabinet doors that are simple yet reflect the style of your kitchen. If you’re colour coordinating, new cabinet doors and new (matching) kitchen blinds can give you that revamped look that you’re looking for.

If replacing cabinets is currently out of your budget, you might want to consider a fresh lick of paint to do the job. Just head to your B&Q or Lewis or what have you, grab the colours and rollers and off you go. It’s not only a fun activity, it’s also very therapeutic to put those layers on.

To give it a proper renewed touch, pick up some new knobs or door handles while you’re at it. Just make sure you remove the old handles before painting and screw in the new ones after the paint has dried.

Having at least one key feature in your kitchen can help you make this space more trendy. No man is an island, but if the man wants more worktop space and a bit of storage space he wouldn’t mind a kitchen island. That is, if you have the room for it.

Kitchen islands come in all shapes and sizes, so there’s a chance you can fit one in quite easily – to gain extra storage space you need to lose floor area. But it’s a great idea if your kitchen revamp also involves decluttering and extension of surfaces.

And yes, this is possible to do without the expense of a remodel.

In the end, renovating the old kitchen is almost always a good idea – even more so when you have a little budget to go with it.

You need to have a good idea of what you want to achieve with this space before proceeding. Consider the addition of modern elements to uplift the ambiance. If you’re considering an open kitchen layout, getting rid of doors or replacing them with sliding ones can also help you create that space.

Although recent reports suggest a drop in house prices in London and the South East, acquiring new property is often still out of reach for those trying to climb the property ladder. Nowadays, having sufficient space comes at a premium in both the housing and commercial property markets.

If you’re looking for professional advice on how to put your space to better use – this article is for you.

Commercial Loft Conversions

Has your business grown too large for the premises your company is using? The obvious but not always feasible solution would be to move premises. However, extensions and loft conversions offer exceptional value for money alternatives to the disruption caused by transferring your business to a new building. There are many innovative ways to expand your property without moving, you may also consider basement conversions and office refurbishments, creating better usability of space.

House Loft Conversions

Make the right choice and use the space you already have – transform the empty and under-utilised loft into something that is not only functional but adds stylish and stunning additional space to your home. Transform your empty loft into an extra bedroom with en-suite, extra storage space, home gym or home cinema. It is recognised that loft conversions often enhance the value of your property by as much as 20%. Loft conversions in Kent are a usually straightforward and very affordable way of increasing living space to your home.

Planning Permission and building regulations for domestic loft conversions

Loft conversions often do not require planning permission provided that they meet with permitted development criteria set down by the planning act. Some loft conversions will require planning permission due to their style, size and location and here at Craymanor Limited we provide you with all the necessary planning and building regulation advice, applications and consents required prior to commencing with any work to your home. We will also recommend the best design solutions and the likely cost of the loft conversion at our initial survey so that you have adequate budget allocated before committing to any expense. Once the drawings are completed, then the loft conversion costs will be agreed with you and you can usually expect a 3 bedroom semidetached house with a projecting dormer to be in the region of £30-£35,000.00 plus VAT, depending on the style, size and structural complexity.

Carefully consider all the pros and cons to make a conscious decision. Alternatively, you could consider a house extension – both of these options do not require you to give up any of your garden space. House extensions give you greater flexibility, as you are not constrained by the original dimensions of your property.

Craymanor Limited are chartered builders in South East London & Kent delivering commercial and domestic renovations, extensions and office refurbishment since 1985. Throughout the years, we have established our position as the leading local company for loft conversions and have carried out extensions in Dartford, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Bromley and Bexley. We are chartered consultants and also work with local designers and architects in Kent to help homeowners and businesses maximum the potential of their homes and offices.