Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 16:00

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?

This is my own design.

I have concluded that without a doubt, we will have an imperfect solution due to the limitations of our budget and the space.

My plan is to ask the builders to future-proof for the dining room extension.

OP posts:
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?

hattie43 · 16/06/2026 15:47

I’d go for a window , kitchens need good ventilation the same as bathrooms .

HJ40 · 16/06/2026 15:45

Could you have windows instead of the standard splash back? Perhaps even on both sides of the chimney breast? I know it sounds unconventional, but friends in Australia had it, and it worked brilliantly. Then you still get the cupboards above too.

Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 15:44

Upstartled · 16/06/2026 15:41

Windows between upper and lower cupboards, maybe? I'd be tempted to get rid of the conservatory though

Interesting photo and idea 🤔

We actually quite like the conservatory and are trying to do a budget project, so removing it is not an option for now. In the future, we may want to replace it with a proper dining room extension, which is part of the reason I want to put a window into the kitchen as part of this project.

OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 16/06/2026 15:43

Yes. A window is a must.
QED.

Upstartled · 16/06/2026 15:42

I love my island, op. Hold firm.

Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 15:42

FuzzyPuffling · 16/06/2026 15:40

A table would do the job and not be fixed.

Show quote history

I want a work surface at normal working height.

OP posts:
Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 15:41

665theneighborofthebeast · 16/06/2026 15:40

If you make your island into a double sided peninsular across where your aircon is on the floor to the wall on the right you get more cupboards. Same features. Better workflow space. Lower cost. And possibly a place to sit thats not in the way.
You'd have to really love the island

Edited

I have put a lot of thought into this and we aren't going to put in a peninsula. The layout is as described and the key question now is whether or not to add a window!

OP posts:
Upstartled · 16/06/2026 15:41

Windows between upper and lower cupboards, maybe? I'd be tempted to get rid of the conservatory though

To turn a windowless room into a kitchen? Or should I add a window?
thecuree · 16/06/2026 15:41

Also I think a big peninsular looks nicer than an island, but that’s just mpo

FuzzyPuffling · 16/06/2026 15:40

OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 15:38

We are going to have unfitted island with seating. I do not want a kitchen with no seating, which is what would have to happen to put units on both sides.

Show quote history

A table would do the job and not be fixed.

thecuree · 16/06/2026 15:40

Window is a must in a kitchen, what about the smells and condensation??

665theneighborofthebeast · 16/06/2026 15:40

If you make your island into a double sided peninsular across where your aircon is on the floor to the wall on the right you get more cupboards. Same features. Better workflow space. Lower cost. And possibly a place to sit thats not in the way.
You'd have to really love the island

wherearethesnacks · 16/06/2026 15:39

If I had to put the kitchen there, I'd take down the conservatory first.

Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 15:38

FuzzyPuffling · 16/06/2026 15:35

Why is an island non-negotiable?
They are not always the best use of space, are inflexible and will date.

We are going to have unfitted island with seating. I do not want a kitchen with no seating, which is what would have to happen to put units on both sides.

OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 16/06/2026 15:35

Why is an island non-negotiable?
They are not always the best use of space, are inflexible and will date.

Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 15:30

665theneighborofthebeast · 16/06/2026 15:28

Can you open or remove your chimney breast.

We are planning to put a range in there

OP posts:
Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 15:29

665theneighborofthebeast · 16/06/2026 15:26

Measurements?

C. 3.4 x 5.9, but the the length includes the bay window/doors

OP posts:
Lomonald · 16/06/2026 15:29

My Dds flat had no window in her kitchen,it was dreary and she needed her extraction fan on,

I would add a window.

665theneighborofthebeast · 16/06/2026 15:28

Can you open or remove your chimney breast.

Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 15:27

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.

We will have induction.

OP posts:
665theneighborofthebeast · 16/06/2026 15:26

Measurements?

Original poster
OrangeCrushes · 16/06/2026 15:25

PreachyPie · 16/06/2026 15:20

Definitely a window for light and ventilation.
The room doesn't look narrow?

It is. We can fit units on one side and a narrow island. The island is non-negotiable. So there we are.

Edit: in this photo, the sofa is actually approximately where the island would be, and is about the same size and shape

OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 16/06/2026 15:24

Window every time.

I'm really put off houses that have a kitchen opening onto a conservatory - fried onions, curry, condensation, washed floors taking ages to dry....huge no from me. ( I have rejected houses for this reason alone. Kitchens need fresh air.)