GS Renovation designs and builds kitchens across Southwark, from the Victorian terraces of Peckham and Camberwell to the Georgian townhouses of Dulwich and the converted flats of Bermondsey. With over 30 years of experience in SE5, SE15, SE21 and SE22, we handle the cabinetry, worktops, services and any structural knock-through as one complete project.
Open-plan kitchen-diners in Southwark terraces
The signature Southwark kitchen project opens the back of a Victorian terrace, knocking the kitchen through to the rear reception to create a bright, sociable kitchen-diner. That dividing wall is usually load-bearing, so we install a steel beam, sized by a structural engineer and signed off by building control. On many Peckham and Camberwell houses we also infill the side return to gain worktop runs and a proper dining area, then fit the new kitchen throughout.
With the structure open, we fit quality units, quartz, granite or composite worktops, integrated appliances and considered lighting. Plumbing for the sink and any island, the electrics for hobs and sockets, tiling and extraction are all done in-house. Because the wall between a Southwark terrace and its neighbour is a shared party wall, a knock-through near it may need a party wall notice, which we help arrange before work begins so there are no surprises later.
Bespoke kitchens for Southwark period proportions
Southwark's Georgian and Victorian homes have alcoves, chimney breasts and tall ceilings that suit made-to-measure cabinetry rather than standard flat-pack units. In the lower-ground kitchens common to Dulwich and Camberwell townhouses, we plan the layout, lighting and ventilation around reduced head height and limited natural light. From handleless contemporary designs to classic in-frame Shaker kitchens, we build to suit the age and character of the house while giving you the storage and worktop a modern kitchen needs.
In the warehouse conversions and apartments of Bermondsey, Borough and SE16, kitchen work is usually cosmetic rather than structural, since these leasehold flats rarely allow walls to move. Here we focus on clever fitted layouts, quiet integrated appliances and durable worktops that make the most of the space. Where the lease requires it, we coordinate with the managing agent on working hours and floor protection, keeping within the building's rules while delivering a kitchen built to last.
Setting heights around the people using it
Standard kitchen dimensions suit an average person and nobody is average. A worktop at the usual height is uncomfortable to chop on if you are tall, and a wall unit at the usual height is unreachable if you are not. Since we are building the kitchen anyway, the heights can be set to suit whoever cooks: a run raised or lowered by fifty millimetres makes a daily difference and costs nothing to specify at the drawing stage.
The same thinking applies to appliances. An oven at eye level saves bending and is safer to lift a hot tray out of, a dishwasher raised into a housing saves stooping, and drawers instead of low cupboards mean nothing is retrieved on hands and knees. Where somebody in the household has limited mobility we plan clear knee space at the sink and a hob with front controls. None of it looks unusual in the finished room.
- Open-plan kitchen-diner conversions with steel support
- Plastering, decorating and second fix carpentry
- Floor levelling and screeding before the flooring goes down
- Pantry, larder and utility room integration
- New circuits and consumer unit work certified under Part P
The GS Renovation Difference in Southwark
Southwark homeowners choose GS Renovation because one accountable team handles the whole kitchen, including any steel beam or knock-through, the services and the finish. You get transparent pricing, tidy working in an occupied home, and a result built to last, backed by 30+ years across SE1 to SE22 and a real understanding of the borough's period and leasehold homes.
- Clean, tidy and reliable tradespeople
- Suppliers used across every budget, with options priced
- Itemised pricing, so you can see what every stage costs
- Fully insured, with cover in place on every site
- Second fix carpentry and decorating finished by the same team
- Founder-led team with 30+ years of hands-on experience