When planning a property extension, many people look to incorporate the heart of their home into the new space. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your kitchen project is a success

Multiple rooflights from Velux help to create a bright and airy feel in this new kitchen

In the past, the trend was to create as many rooms as possible in a home, each with their own distinct purpose. But we live in more informal times, where busy lifestyles require multifunctional spaces that cater for the needs of the whole family. In fact, many of the biggest recent trends in kitchen design have been driven by the rise of open-plan extensions.

We’re spending so much more time in these rooms - relaxing, dining and entertaining, as well as cooking - and we want a kitchen that’s streamlined and uncluttered yet homely, with everything functioning perfectly. So it’s no surprise that many people want to dedicate a larger space to the kitchen, often alongside dining and lounge zones, plus a good connection to the garden via glazed doors.

The perfect solution to achieve this in many existing buildings is to extend to the rear, sometimes as part of a wider renovation to rejig the entire downstairs layout to better suit modern life. And whether you want to build a contemporary glass-box or a traditional addition that blends into the original structure, adding a kitchen-diner extension is an easy way to generate extra living space whilst also adding value to your property.