Best Home Improvement To Upgrade Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home, a place where families gather, meals are prepared, and memories are made. Designing the perfect kitchen goes beyond choosing the right countertops and cabinetry; it also involves selecting an efficient heating system that provides consistent warmth without compromising space.

Underfloor heating is an excellent solution for kitchens, particularly where wall space is at a premium or large windows and bi-fold doors limit radiator placement. This invisible heating system provides an even distribution of warmth, ensuring a cosy and comfortable environment. But which underfloor heating system is best for your kitchen layout? Let’s explore how underfloor heating works in different kitchen styles and how much heating coverage each type may need.

Consider The Size Of Your Space 

The Best Underfloor Heating System for Different Kitchen Layouts

Different kitchen layouts require tailored heating solutions to maximise efficiency and comfort. Below, we explore the options for electric and water underfloor heating, discussing the best systems for different kitchen designs and the level of heating coverage they may require.

1. Galley Kitchen

Galley kitchens, known for their long, narrow design with parallel countertops, can greatly benefit from underfloor heating. With limited floor space, traditional radiators can make the area feel cramped. Installing underfloor heating ensures warmth throughout the room without occupying valuable wall space.

• Best underfloor heating system: Water underfloor heating is ideal for galley kitchens, as it offers consistent heat distribution along the length of the room.

• Estimated underfloor heating coverage: A galley kitchen measuring 3m x 2m would require approximately 6 square meters of underfloor heating coverage.

2. U-Shaped Kitchen

A U-shaped kitchen provides ample workspace but often has limited wall space for radiators. Underfloor heating is an excellent solution for maintaining an even temperature throughout the room without interrupting the flow of cabinets and appliances.

• Best underfloor heating system: Both electric and water underfloor heating can work well, depending on whether it’s a renovation or new build.

• Estimated underfloor heating coverage: A U-shaped kitchen measuring 4m x 3m would typically need around

•  10-12 square meters of underfloor heating coverage.

3. Kitchen with an Island

A kitchen island adds functionality and style but also presents unique heating challenges. Underfloor heating can ensure warmth in open-plan spaces while avoiding cold spots caused by large kitchen islands.

• Best underfloor heating system: Water underfloor heating is recommended for kitchens with islands, especially in larger spaces or open-plan layouts.

• Estimated underfloor heating coverage: A kitchen with an island, measuring around 5m x 4m, may require 15-18 square meters of underfloor heating coverage.

4. Open-Plan Kitchen Extensions

If you have extended your kitchen to create an open-plan living space, Underfloor heating is an excellent way to maintain an even temperature across a larger area. Bi-fold doors and large windows can result in heat loss, but underfloor heating ensures that the floor remains warm, making the space more comfortable.

• Best underfloor heating system: Water underfloor heating is preferred due to its efficiency over larger areas.

• Estimated underfloor heating coverage: Depending on the extension size, underfloor heating could cover anywhere from 15 to 30 square meters.

6. L-Shaped Kitchen

L-shaped kitchens offer an efficient layout by utilising two adjacent walls. These kitchens benefit greatly from underfloor heating as they often feature open areas that can feel cold without proper heating.

• Best underfloor heating system: Both electric and water underfloor heating are suitable, depending on the overall kitchen size.

• Estimated underfloor heating coverage: An L-shaped kitchen measuring 4m x 3m may require 10-14 square meters of underfloor heating coverage.

7. Straight-Line (One-Wall) Kitchen

A one-wall kitchen is common in small apartments and studio flats, where all appliances and workspaces are positioned along a single wall. Underfloor heating  is an ideal solution, ensuring that the entire space remains warm despite limited floor space.

• Best underfloor heating system: Electric underfloor heating  is typically the best option due to the compact size of the space.

• Estimated underfloor heating coverage: A one-wall kitchen measuring 3m x 2m may need around 6 square meters of underfloor heating coverage.

8. Peninsula Kitchen

A peninsula kitchen features a connected island-like extension, often used for extra seating or workspace. Underfloor heating helps maintain warmth throughout the kitchen, preventing cold spots around the peninsula area.

• Best underfloor heating system: Water underfloor heating is recommended for larger peninsula kitchens, while electric underfloor heating works well for smaller ones. 

• Estimated underfloor heating coverage: A peninsula kitchen measuring 5m x 4m may require 14-18 square meters of underfloor heating coverage.

Benefits of Underfloor Heating in the Kitchen

✅  Space-Saving and Aesthetic Appeal

With underfloor heating, there is no need for bulky radiators, giving you more design freedom to create a seamless, uncluttered kitchen layout.

✅  Even Heat Distribution

Unlike traditional radiators, which create warm and cold spots, underfloor heating ensures an even heat distribution across the entire kitchen floor, making the room consistently comfortable.

✅  Energy Efficiency

Water underfloor heating systems are highly efficient, operating at lower temperatures while providing the same level of warmth as radiators. This can lead to lower energy bills over time.

✅  Perfect for Kitchen Extensions

For homeowners extending their kitchen, underfloor heating is a great way to integrate heating seamlessly without needing additional radiators. Systems like ProWarm™ Water Underfloor Heating Kit adds minimal floor height and can be installed without major disruption.

✅  Compatibility with Various Floor Coverings

Underfloor heating works well with many flooring types, including tiles, engineered timber, vinyl, laminate, and polished concrete. A floor temperature sensor can help regulate heat output to protect sensitive materials.

Installing underfloor heating in a Kitchen Renovation

If you are retrofitting underfloor heating into an existing kitchen, it’s possible to install it directly over your current floor, reducing the need for extensive construction work. Consider factors such as:

• Floor build-up height: Low-profile systems can add as little as 15mm to the floor height.

• Insulation: Good insulation ensures that heat is retained within the room rather than lost to the subfloor.

Need Some Inspiration?

If you're considering underfloor heating for your kitchen but want to see real-world examples, several UK renovation programs have featured underfloor heating installations:

1. Grand Designs (Channel 4)

   • This iconic show frequently showcases underfloor heating in modern, energy-efficient homes.

   • Example Episode: The Hi-Tech Bungalow, Maidstone, Kent – A contemporary bungalow featuring underfloor heating.

   • Watch here

2. DIY SOS: The Big Build (BBC One)

   • The team often includes underfloor heating in large-scale renovations to improve comfort and accessibility.

   • Example Episode: Features The Underfloor Heating Store assisting with installation.

   • Watch here

3. Your Home Made Perfect (BBC Two)

   • Uses VR technology to showcase home transformations, including underfloor heating installations in kitchen renovations.

4. George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces (Channel 4)

   • Features underfloor heating in compact, energy-efficient homes and unique spaces.

5. Love It or List It UK (Channel 4)

   • Underfloor heating is often a key upgrade in home improvement projects to boost energy efficiency and comfort.

Underfloor heating is a smart investment for any kitchen, providing both comfort and efficiency while freeing up valuable space. Whether you have a compact galley kitchen, a spacious open-plan extension, or a stylish kitchen with an island, there’s a underfloor heating solution to suit your needs. If you’re planning a kitchen renovation or extension, contact us for expert advice on choosing the best underfloor heating system for your home.