Walking up a floor to cook dinner might seem like an odd concept but siting your kitchen elsewhere than downstairs can be a smart fix for an awkward property and take advantage of a striking location.
Make the most of the views
Many a house has been sold on the beautiful vista it looks out over but if extending or modifying the property isn’t an option, you may not see the view most of the time. Relocating your kitchen and its adjoining dining or living area upstairs is one way to enjoy more of it. This smart design has neat bench-style seating around the window area to create an area to sit and take in the rolling countryside after dinner, while the kitchen cabinetry around it has been tailored to fit the converted mill’s timber beams.
Image source: deVOL
Enjoy a light-filled room
Your kitchen should be a place you enjoy spending time in but all too often it’s been sited in a north-facing room with little daylight and not much to look at as you cook. Moving the kitchen upstairs means you have the option of not just side windows for daylight, but also the roof above. Create a bright, welcoming environment by incorporating skylights or sun tunnels into your design, then boost the light by choosing cabinetry in a light shade or glossy finish. How high your roof is isn’t an issue if you install a remote-controlled solution, too. These Integra centre-pivot roof windows can be opened and closed with a handy control pad and also double up as extra ventilation, funnelling steam, smoke and cooking odours outside.
Image source: Velux
Get more space
If your ground floor is too crowded for the size of kitchen you dream about, extending to create an interim floor or reclaiming unused space upstairs could be the answer. Be sure to include additional costs for accessing it if it’s a new space or you want it to be easily reachable without traipsing through the ground floor from the door. A glass-sided staircase is ideal for minimal visual impact or you could consider a spiral staircase if floorspace is limited. You may want to keep utilities in an area downstairs, though, both to limit noise from laundry appliances and clutter.
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Things you need to consider
Just as if you were installing an upstairs bathroom in a property where there wasn’t one before, moving your kitchen to a different room means installing additional services, such as plumbing and a gas supply where applicable. You’ll also need to make sure there’s sufficient ventilation, that it’s structurally stable and that there’s adequate electrical and fire safety measures taken. These changes will need building regulations approval, so look for a competent person who can self-certify their work. It will also increase your kitchen budget, so be sure to shop around for quotes with kitchen specialists to get an idea of additional cost. Find more information on the Government’s Planning Portal.
Image source: All&Nxthing
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What flooring should I use to minimise noise downstairs? Thank you.
how much cost to make a kitchen up stairs.
Hi Khin, I’d recommend posting this as a question for tradespeople in our Ask an expert forum (https://www.ratedpeople.com/diy-advice/) as costs will vary.