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Original poster

To turn a windowless room into a kitchen? Or should I add a window?

55 replies

OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 15:09

We are converting a reception room into a kitchen. The room has doors into a conservatory but no windows.

Photo of room attached. The window would go to the right of the chimney breast, where there are currently shelves.

Due to the narrow size of the room, we will have very limited wall space for units. I'm very torn between a desire for natural light and ventilation v. more useful kitchen space.

YABU = Add a window!
YANBU = cupboard space is priceless

To turn a windowless room into a kitchen? Or should I add a window?
OP posts:
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AnnaQuayRules · 18/06/2026 22:55

SilverPink · 18/06/2026 12:43

I wouldn’t buy any house that didn’t have both a door and window in the kitchen. You need light and fresh air. Personally I’d knock through the conservatory and make it all one huge room, with the kitchen in the nearer bit and the dining or lounge area near the doors.

We don't have an external door in our kitchen, but we do have three large sash windows. When they are fully open there is a huge amount of fresh air coming through

Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 18/06/2026 17:05

665theneighborofthebeast · 18/06/2026 17:04

If you have played with the ikea kitchen planner then you know they..and lots of other companies do shallow depth cupboards. You could have a whole wall of storage behind those stools.
You wouldnt have every cupboard accessible if people were sat. But thats not really needed for a lot of kitchen equipment. But nor is the depth.
Otherwise, that creeping worry you have is absolutely right. You do not have enough storage.

But all we need in the kitchen is day-to-day storage. The utility will be a larder and pan overflow area as well!

OP posts:
665theneighborofthebeast · 18/06/2026 17:04

If you have played with the ikea kitchen planner then you know they..and lots of other companies do shallow depth cupboards. You could have a whole wall of storage behind those stools.
You wouldnt have every cupboard accessible if people were sat. But thats not really needed for a lot of kitchen equipment. But nor is the depth.
Otherwise, that creeping worry you have is absolutely right. You do not have enough storage.

aCatCalledFawkes · 18/06/2026 16:53

When I moved in to my house, it had a conservatory on the back of the kitchen and then a doorless wall to another room that had a window which was used as a utility room.
I took the wall out and it was the best thing I did to let the light in to the kitchen. I just remember being able to look out at the garden when in the kitchen do something as boring as washing up.
I don't think it's a deal breaker as the house had people living there before and they were fine it just wasn't for me.
What I did do though was put a proper roof on the conservatory to make it more usable which means that the door is open alot (most of the time) and the light shines through even more.

Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 18/06/2026 16:24

Thistooshallpsss · 18/06/2026 12:15

I would want to check what building regulation approval you need for whatever work you end up doing. Otherwise it’s a pain when you come to sell

We will follow all applicable rules!

OP posts:
SilverPink · 18/06/2026 12:43

I wouldn’t buy any house that didn’t have both a door and window in the kitchen. You need light and fresh air. Personally I’d knock through the conservatory and make it all one huge room, with the kitchen in the nearer bit and the dining or lounge area near the doors.

Thistooshallpsss · 18/06/2026 12:15

I would want to check what building regulation approval you need for whatever work you end up doing. Otherwise it’s a pain when you come to sell

Lambsear · 18/06/2026 12:05

@OrangeCrushes oh finally sorry - I see!
In that case a unanimous yes to a window!

Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 18/06/2026 11:52

Lambsear · 17/06/2026 23:17

I’m still really not getting the problem @OrangeCrushes - if you live with this room as it is - with the conservatory door & windows either side - the light won’t be any different if you change its use?

Is it more that you will be using the room more & think you’ll notice the lack of light?
Is the room dark atm as it is? Lots of kitchens have tiny cottage windows - your door to your conservatory seems to let in a lot??

I wouldn’t like a window where you’re suggesting I think it will look odd personally.

We currently don't use the room tbh. I think additional light and ventilation could make a nice difference, and the room will be darker if/when we tear down the conservatory and put in a dining room extension.

OP posts:
Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 18/06/2026 11:51

wherearethesnacks · 17/06/2026 22:34

It would be a pretty miserable way to live with no window in your kitchen just so you can store more stuff in upper cabinets.

Moving a kitchen to a different room isn't a cheap option. Do you want to post your floorplan to see what other suggestions people have?

I have done this before (maybe under other usernames) but sure!

I will also post my IKEA mock-up of the future floorplan.

To turn a windowless room into a kitchen? Or should I add a window?
To turn a windowless room into a kitchen? Or should I add a window?
OP posts:
Lambsear · 17/06/2026 23:17

I’m still really not getting the problem @OrangeCrushes - if you live with this room as it is - with the conservatory door & windows either side - the light won’t be any different if you change its use?

Is it more that you will be using the room more & think you’ll notice the lack of light?
Is the room dark atm as it is? Lots of kitchens have tiny cottage windows - your door to your conservatory seems to let in a lot??

I wouldn’t like a window where you’re suggesting I think it will look odd personally.

rwalker · 17/06/2026 22:44

I like symmetry so it would be no for a window
poss could go for a letterbox style window high up
people are getting so hung up about ventilation
mechanical ventilation is far more efficient than a window you open
I would change the doors and possibly the frame to let more light in

luckylavender · 17/06/2026 22:40

SoManyTshirts · 16/06/2026 15:18

Remember you can’t have a gas hob in a windowless room. The kitchen is one thing I’d change about my house.

I do

wherearethesnacks · 17/06/2026 22:34

It would be a pretty miserable way to live with no window in your kitchen just so you can store more stuff in upper cabinets.

Moving a kitchen to a different room isn't a cheap option. Do you want to post your floorplan to see what other suggestions people have?

DogMom69 · 17/06/2026 19:34

If you’re on a budget and want a window, you may find it blows your budget. You’ll need a lintel fitting to building regs to put a window in. Best of luck. Hope you find a positive solution.

likelysuspect · 16/06/2026 21:30

I dont know why but I cant see the photo but would say that in Spain, Italy, Green, Turkey etc etc, windowless kitchens are fairly commonplace.

caringcarer · 16/06/2026 21:25

Have a window. Who wants a dingy kitchen.

Lambsear · 16/06/2026 19:56

Think I’m the only one not seeing why a window is necessary! The windows either side of the conservatory door are staying aren’t they? I don’t think you need one it looks like loads of light. Check before you bother - due to extensions either side of me my kitchen windows let in hardly any light.

AnnaQuayRules · 16/06/2026 17:50

Go for a window, even if you lose cupboard space.

We keep quite a lot of the kitchen stuff we don't use every day in a big cupboard in the garage. Eg big casserole dishes, posh glasses, turkey roasting pan. When we lived in a flat and didn't have a garage we stored all the stuff under the spare room bed.

Our current kitchen doesn't have much storage / cupboard space but it does have big windows. I wouldn't lose a window to gain a cupboard.

Presumably you'll have cupboards/storage in your island?

Sidebeforeself · 16/06/2026 17:39

EarringsandLipstick · 16/06/2026 15:57

Is this your own design OP or have you got advice from a designer / architect?

I think you could run the risk of a very problematic space, and I really think making this change while you still have the conservatory is a poor decision.

I think you'll arguably spend a lot of money and have an imperfect solution, and still have to replace / do further work in the future, when you come to address the conservatory.

To your question - without doubt, you need a window. I can't remember ever seeing a kitchen without windows and wonder if this meets regulation requirements?

Windowless kitchens are quite common in smaller flats. That’s said I’d always go for a window if possible.

Im very wary of your plan to get the builders to future proof the design Op. There’s no way they will guarantee that and you would be stuck if , when the time comes, they or a builder say what you want is no longer possible etc.

Itsallthebsame · 16/06/2026 17:31

Long window above cupbiards, opened electrically.

Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 16:27

neilyoungismyhero · 16/06/2026 16:01

Could you have velux windows?

No, unfortunately.

OP posts:
OriginalUsername2 · 16/06/2026 16:23

I always cook with the window open to stop grease coating everything in the room so I’d say definitely get a window!

MeganM3 · 16/06/2026 16:20

Window is needed.

neilyoungismyhero · 16/06/2026 16:01

Could you have velux windows?