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Renovating Design Dilemma Kitchens

Not sure how best to extend property to add a larger dining area

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I’m looking to create a larger dining area for the kitchen as the current area is quite small (and add a utility potentially) but I’m unsure on the best way of doing that - whether that should be a brick conservatory, extension Or convert the garage somehow.

The added complication with extending outside or adding conservatory is the height of the garage (shielding the current patio from sunlight in the evenings as the garden is north west facing) so I’m not sure if extending out for the diner is the best option as I’m not sure how to make sure it’ll get enough light with glazing (especially with the extension glazing restrictions). I’ve included images of the kitchen/garage aspects.

The floor plan I’ve provided below isn’t quite correct re the garage as the garage is further back (see second photo of a plan I put together).

The front of the garage currently houses the washing machine etc so could potentially be converted into a utility off the main kitchen. Could converting the garage into dining area with skylights (to avoid the garage shadowing of dining areas in any extension) be the best option? Though the garage is quite narrow. That would mean the utility would need to go elsewhere too.

Looking for any help/ideas on the best thing to do! Thank you everyone in advance for your help. Really struggling with so many concepts/ideas!

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Comments (4)

Nicola M
3 years ago
Hi Samuel, there doesn't seem to be a second photo with your plan. Would be helpful to see that. Are the dimensions on the floor plan you've posted correct for your garage?
Samuel Cutler thanked Nicola M
H A
3 years ago
Hi I think you’ve got a lovely garden, shape and size. If you knocked through into the garage, you could have a super dining or family area with doors out onto your patio. The front of your garage could be your utility or ‘garden shed’, depending on what you need. Or could the cupboard under the stairs accommodate the washing machine? Good luck!
Samuel Cutler thanked H A
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Samuel Cutler
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Hi both. Thank you for the responses! The floor plan dimensions are correct - it’s just the garage is further back and offset to the kitchen rather than adjacent to like the first plan. I’ve added the second plan now to show the reality. It makes having both a utility and open plan kitchen diner harder as I can’t use the front of the garage for that and not sure the back of the garage would work due to the ceiling height at that point.
Nicola M
3 years ago
Hi Samuel, thanks for getting back to me.

I think an extension would help and you have got the space for it. Roof lights will bring a lot of light into the extension and you could have a flat roof or mono-pitch. The only issue perhaps is by extending the house would be a little 'bottom heavy' but my thoughts are most of one's time in the home is spent downstairs! The extension wouldn't need to be as long as I've done it, and if you're under 3m from the current back wall you could potentially do it under permitted development (providing you meet the other criteria).

If you wanted to extend, this what I was thinking. I've put together a little mock-up quickly, leaving the washing machine etc at the front of the garage. Door would need to swing the other way probably. Kitchen layout would need some thought. Might be nice to use the reduced height in the garage for office/ snug with new glazing to the garden. If you need more storage/ the utility wall could move to give you more space with a smaller snug area.

Yellow boxes are Velux and green is flat roof windows could be put anywhere really/any size.

These are the two options to give you an idea of roof options.

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