Open Plan Kitchen Extensions for family life
Author: Kieran Atherton – Founder, Melrose Designs
🏠 What Is an Open Plan Kitchen Extension?
An open plan kitchen extension is a home improvement that combines the kitchen, dining, and living areas into one large, connected space, typically by extending to the rear or side of a property and removing internal walls.
For modern families, this layout isn’t about style alone. It’s about how homes are actually used.
Open plan kitchens create shared family space, improve natural light, and make homes more practical for everyday life.
👨👩👧👦 Why Open Plan Kitchens Are Ideal for Family Life
1️⃣ Families Spend More Time Together
An open plan kitchen brings cooking, dining, and living together in one connected space. Instead of walls keeping family members apart, it creates a shared environment where everyday life flows naturally.
For modern families, this isn’t just a design trend, it’s a reflection of how we truly live today.
In short:
An open plan kitchen means connection, flexibility, light, and long-term value for your home.
As a designer, the feedback I hear most often after a project is complete:
“We actually spend time together now, without trying.”
2️⃣ Designed Around Real Daily Routines
Open plan kitchens work because they support how families live, not how homes are marketed.
A well-designed layout includes clear zones:
🍳 Cooking zone
🍽️ Dining zone
🛋️ Relaxed family seating
At Melrose Designs, we carefully plan:
- Circulation routes
- Storage locations
- Visibility and safety
This prevents the space from feeling messy or overwhelming.
👉 “Best Open Plan Kitchen Layouts for Families”
3️⃣ More Natural Light & Better Wellbeing
Removing walls and adding glazing allows daylight to flow through the home.
Common features include:
- Bifold or sliding doors
- Roof lanterns or flat roof lights
- Wider openings to the garden
Benefits:
- Brighter interiors
- Better mood and energy
- Reduced daytime lighting use
- Light isn’t a luxury, it’s a design essential.
💷 Does an Open Plan Kitchen Add Value?
Yes and consistently so.
Estate agents across the UK report that:
- Open plan kitchen diners are one of the most requested features
- Family buyers prioritise kitchen-led extensions
- Properties sell faster and at higher prices
📊 Typical uplift:
Kitchen extensions often add 10–15% to property value
They outperform many cosmetic renovations
“Kitchen Extension Cost vs Property Value”
🧱 Common Design Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
From experience, the most common issues are:
❌ Too much open space with no structure
❌ Poor acoustics and noise echo
❌ Overheating from excessive glazing
❌ Lack of storage
✅ How We Fix This
- Subtle zoning using islands and furniture
- Acoustic-aware layouts
- Balanced glazing design
- Full-height storage walls
Professional design ensures your open plan kitchen feels calm, practical, and family-friendly.
🛠️ Planning Permission & Building Regulations (UK)
Do You Need Planning Permission?
Often yes but many open plan kitchen extensions fall under Permitted Development depending on:
- Extension size
- Property type
- Location
- Building Regulations (Always Required)
We design for compliance with:
- Part A – Structural safety
- Part B – Fire safety
- Part L – Energy efficiency
At Melrose Designs, we manage: ✔ Planning drawings
✔ Building Regulations drawings
✔ Council coordination
👉 Planning Permission for Kitchen Extensions Explained
🧠 Expert Insight: Why I Recommend Open Plan Kitchens
I’ve designed hundreds of family extensions across Wigan, St Helens, Warrington, and Greater Manchester.
Without exception, families say the same thing:
“This changed how we use our home.”
It’s not about trends, it’s about better living.
✍️ Author Bio
Kieran Atherton is the founder of Melrose Designs, a UK-based residential design studio specialising in home extensions, kitchen diners, and family-focused layouts.
With extensive experience producing planning permission and Building Regulations drawings, Kieran works closely with homeowners, builders, and local authorities to deliver practical, buildable designs that improve everyday life.
📍 Based in Wigan, working across the North West
🔗 https://melrosedesign.co.uk
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)
Is an open plan kitchen good for families?
Yes. It improves supervision, communication, and shared family time.
Are open plan kitchens still popular in the UK?
Yes. They remain one of the most requested features in family homes.
Do open plan kitchens work in small houses?
Absolutely — when designed correctly, they often make homes feel larger.
Will I need planning permission?
Possibly. Many projects fall under Permitted Development, we assess this for you.