Replace this conservatory with kitchen/diner extension??

[chummymummy7]

It's a good sized conservatory with access to manhole/drain for
plumbing - so it's technically possible to replace with a kitchen/diner extension according to a surveyor.

Would probably need to keep a half wall between a new extension and the main living room for structural reasons.

Thinking that the small kitchen at the front could be changed into a snug/playroom instead.

Would anyone suggest that a kitchen/diner should go in the current living room instead - and make the new extension a living space?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/118379618#/?channel=RES_BUY

Personally I don't see a lot of point doing the level of remodelling you're talking about, the house is very small with no real scope to extend. It's also clear from the photos that the house has no real storage space. What you're thinking of would be expensive and you'd still have a house with really small bedrooms. I'd look for something else.

@Lavendersquare thanks for responding. yes I see your point re: financials and bedrooms but the location is perfect and it has loft and garage space and room to add built in wardrobes.

I think it looks like a nice house, especially with the office in the garden which isn't on the floor plans

what would you want to use the front kitchen for? It would be very small for a snug or a playroom, and you wouldn't need an office as there is one in the garden.

If the location is right, you could move in & see how you get on with the current configuration of rooms - no need to do lots of work immediately.

There are specialist companies that put a solid roof on conservatories.
Would that be an option?

It would be quite an expensive undertaking. I dont like the way the lounge is part of the open plan design downstairs. I think I woukd give it a miss. But up to you and what you are looking for. Its attractive in its way but is it practical. Those orangery type extensions are quite popular.

@parietal yes it's a cute house on a very pretty lane, in catchment of good schools.

We haven't put an offer in yet so I'll think about if it would work at it is for at least a couple of years. If you have any ideas for what the current kitchen could become please do share

I couldn't get past the price tag of 0.5 million for a small terraced house. But I do live up north.

I think a kitchen diner where the current living room is would be good, then a lovely living room at the back with views of the garden. The current kitchen could be a study (we could easily make use of 2 in our family), small snug, 4th bedroom, utility room and storage etc.

I think I'd leave it for someone who will love it as it is. It's a really sweet little cottage for a couple or small family.
Buy something that meets your needs rather than bashing this about.

@UnbeatenMum hadn't thought of a fourth bedroom - that's a good idea as there's a downstairs cloakroom for guests. Utility storage also a great idea thanks

It's a lovely house. I think the kitchen is too small for a useful playroom/snug, but would be good for a study. And if you are looking to raise a family there, you would need study space at some point because there is not space for desks in bedrooms.

I like the sound of kitchen diner in living space and living room beyond myself. The problem, I think, is how to maximise use of the current dining room. There are so many houses where you can knock together a small dining area and small kitchen to make a bigger kitchen diner. Could you maybe put a sofa and TV in, close it off with doors and have it as a little snug even if it's a bit of a walkthrough?

Careful not to overpay, given the size of the bedrooms. But I can see the appeal, it's lovely in the photos.

I wouldn't want to have the stairs leading from the kitchen personally.

I agree that you'd need to live in it for a while to see what would work best. I'd want to get rid of the conservatory as it looks a bit pointless and makes the garden really small and I imagine the dining area is quite dark.

Lovely house and yes I would do what you say. The room downstairs could be whatever you need it to be- study, playroom, extra bedroom

The agent pointed out that other houses in the same row have gone up into the loft to make a bedroom/en-suite and done the kitchen/diner extension - so that sets a good precedent!

Extending onto the back will make the downstairs very dark in the middle.

@chummymummy7

The agent pointed out that other houses in the same row have gone up into the loft to make a bedroom/en-suite and done the kitchen/diner extension - so that sets a good precedent!

Proper stairs up to a loft extension often need some compromise in one of the existing bedroom or on the landing. And with this house you can't afford to lose much of either. I would dig a bit deeper, don't assume those loft extensions meet building regs with respect to head height and stairs.

though actually stairs might just be able to go over existing stairs

Someone I know has recently put on a single storey extension off their previous kitchen. They have kept in a small part of the wall where the window in the kitchen was and it's created a nice divide between the kitchen and the now dining room. It's also meant they have more cupboard space. I've attached a screenshot with all identifying info covered. It looks small on the plan but in person it's a really good space, and I can see yours being even better.
As for the old kitchen, maybe a snug, with option to use as a guest room?

@sprayedwithdettol that was one of my concerns.

Is there a dramatic light/dark difference from conservatory to extension - if you include as generous skylights as poss?

thanks @longtompot I like the idea of a half wall creating more cupboard space.

I would be tempted to put the dividing wall back to create a separate sitting room. Subject to cost I would then have an open plan kitchen diner/family space at the back incorporating the conservatory with the aim of bringing the outside in

Also. Before u add a solid roof onto a conservatory make sure u check. Not all conservatory’s are suitable for this. In terms of weight.