Open-plan kitchen DAVID HOCKNEY EXTENSIONS

From structural considerations and zoning to layout ideas and lighting, our practical guide to creating your new space has it covered

Open-plan kitchen extensions can be a great addition to your home.

Adding extra practical space as well as the chance to create a stunning architectural feature, they're one of the most popular kitchen extension concepts. But with this style of extension comes the added consideration of knocking down a substantial portion of an external wall, the need for added structural support, possible differences in floor and ceiling levels, potential implications to your overall energy efficiency and myriad glazing decisions to make.

It's certainly not as simple as creating a new doorway through to a new kitchen- and even if you're extending to the side of your house rather than the rear, the same issues will apply. There's no doubt that these types of extensions can be a valuable addition to your home. However, the key to a successful end result is careful planning in advance and making sure you have a full understanding of how the structure is built and the implications it will have on the rest of your home.

Even if you want your kitchen extension idea to look architecturally different to your current exterior, inside it still needs to deliver a cohesive space. "Make sure you've collated a list of the things you definitely need, and want, at the earliest stage to ensure you cover all the must-haves," says Nathan Kingsbury, founder and creative director of Nathan Kingsbury Design. "This will also ensure that no area in the new open-plan extension is under-utilised and will result in space that is not only beautiful, but functions in the way that you and those living in it, need it to."

STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONS