A well-planned kitchen extension can add value to a property and increase the chances of a sale during the current market.As well as looking into new fixtures and fittings, such as stainless steel sinks and matching taps, homeowners should consider layout and kitchen design.Most buyers judge a property by its kitchen and vendors can capitalise on this by making well-chosen improvements.The Times has issued a list of the top ten improvements sellers can make to increase the value of their homes and keep negative equity at bay.An open-plan kitchen is high on the list of potential money-makers. A kitchen with space for a dining table and sofas works particularly well.Extending a kitchen to make space for an open-plan design costs in the region of 15,000, the paper suggested. However, such a project is likely to have welcome returns.Kitchen/dining spaces are in demand, especially if you have a small kitchen, the paper added.Research from Alliance Leicester conducted last summer revealed that 48 per cent of buyers cite a large kitchen as one of the most important features of a new home.