Renovating
12 Ways to Make Your Glass Extension a Useable Space
You've finally got the glass extension of your dreams. Here's how to turn it into a cosy, comfy retreat
Whether you have a traditional conservatory or a futuristic frameless glass extension, these aspirational add-ons conjure up a wonderful sensation of space and light. However, it can be challenging to make a modern glass box look cosy, or a traditional conservatory appear contemporary. You may also find you’re constantly seeking that sweet spot where you’re not too hot, or too cold. Check out these ideas for making your glassed room both comfortable and good-looking.
Roll down a blind
An alternative to a solar-control coating is to fit blinds to glass ceiling panels. These simple internal roll-down wicker ones shield the sun in this lovely traditional conservatory, and suit the style of the space well.
How hot your conservatory or glass room gets will depend on its aspect. South-facing rooms will get the hottest. If you don’t want to fit blinds, look into solar-control film, which can be fitted to conservatory roofs to reduce heat, glare and UV light.
An alternative to a solar-control coating is to fit blinds to glass ceiling panels. These simple internal roll-down wicker ones shield the sun in this lovely traditional conservatory, and suit the style of the space well.
How hot your conservatory or glass room gets will depend on its aspect. South-facing rooms will get the hottest. If you don’t want to fit blinds, look into solar-control film, which can be fitted to conservatory roofs to reduce heat, glare and UV light.
Provide a fanfare
You can also avoid the sweltering greenhouse effect with the help of a ceiling fan to provide a cool breeze on stifling days. This gorgeous, elegant orangery combines an old-fashioned ceiling fan with a crystal chandelier.
You can also avoid the sweltering greenhouse effect with the help of a ceiling fan to provide a cool breeze on stifling days. This gorgeous, elegant orangery combines an old-fashioned ceiling fan with a crystal chandelier.
Radiate warmth
If you’re worried about feeling the chill when the temperature drops, go for insulating low-emissivity (low-e) glass. This will radiate heat back inside a room and reduce heat loss in winter.
The best solution in a glass extension combines thermal insulation with solar reduction – so you can hit that just-right Goldilocks zone.
If you’re worried about feeling the chill when the temperature drops, go for insulating low-emissivity (low-e) glass. This will radiate heat back inside a room and reduce heat loss in winter.
The best solution in a glass extension combines thermal insulation with solar reduction – so you can hit that just-right Goldilocks zone.
Turn down the noise
It’s not just heat or cold that can be a concern. Noise from outside can also cause problems in a glass extension. One option is glass that has acoustic insulation. This works by both reflecting noise back outside, and absorbing sound.
It’s not just heat or cold that can be a concern. Noise from outside can also cause problems in a glass extension. One option is glass that has acoustic insulation. This works by both reflecting noise back outside, and absorbing sound.
Put down parquet
Minimal glass extensions look super-cool, and there are easy ways to avoid them feeling too austere. In this glass dining-area, the parquet flooring extended from the kitchen gives a warm, inviting air. The wood tones also lend a natural touch, which means the space almost seems to extend into the garden.
Find homes specialists to help with your project in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Minimal glass extensions look super-cool, and there are easy ways to avoid them feeling too austere. In this glass dining-area, the parquet flooring extended from the kitchen gives a warm, inviting air. The wood tones also lend a natural touch, which means the space almost seems to extend into the garden.
Find homes specialists to help with your project in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Rock a rug
Futuristic glass boxes inevitably tend to lend themselves to more modern furnishings. Squashy furniture, blankets or other more traditional pieces may simply look ‘wrong’.
However, you can use clever touches to ramp up the cosy factor. Here, a clean-lined sofa in a zingy shade, cushions, a rug, and a black-painted wall create a relaxed lounging area, and stop this extension feeling blank or bland.
Futuristic glass boxes inevitably tend to lend themselves to more modern furnishings. Squashy furniture, blankets or other more traditional pieces may simply look ‘wrong’.
However, you can use clever touches to ramp up the cosy factor. Here, a clean-lined sofa in a zingy shade, cushions, a rug, and a black-painted wall create a relaxed lounging area, and stop this extension feeling blank or bland.
Light it up
Without walls or ceilings to fit them to, appropriate lighting can be a challenge in glass extensions. However, in this side-return extension, an angled wall light on a remaining section of wall solves the problem, and can be pointed where required, to create pools of light.
Without walls or ceilings to fit them to, appropriate lighting can be a challenge in glass extensions. However, in this side-return extension, an angled wall light on a remaining section of wall solves the problem, and can be pointed where required, to create pools of light.
Choose a corner
To make your glass extension feel comfortable, install a corner sofa that fits the dimensions of the space, as seen here. A corner sofa can make a conservatory feel more contemporary, and a modern extension more inviting. It means you can stretch out and relax on sunny or cloudy days. Add a coffee table to further define the space.
To make your glass extension feel comfortable, install a corner sofa that fits the dimensions of the space, as seen here. A corner sofa can make a conservatory feel more contemporary, and a modern extension more inviting. It means you can stretch out and relax on sunny or cloudy days. Add a coffee table to further define the space.
Follow flooring through
One challenge with slim-framed glass extensions is how to make them blend visually with the garden. One option is to use a flooring material that works inside and outside. Here, the flagstones give a seamless effect. Always remember to use a suitable sealant to properly protect your floors.
One challenge with slim-framed glass extensions is how to make them blend visually with the garden. One option is to use a flooring material that works inside and outside. Here, the flagstones give a seamless effect. Always remember to use a suitable sealant to properly protect your floors.
Keep it coastal
Borrow from beach-hut style to give your conservatory a fresh, relaxed look. Tongue and groove painted in a soft shade adds a coastal touch to this pretty garden room with a classic roof lantern. The floral sofa and black-and-white tiled floor add some quirky retro charm.
Tell us…
How do you keep your glass extension comfy? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Borrow from beach-hut style to give your conservatory a fresh, relaxed look. Tongue and groove painted in a soft shade adds a coastal touch to this pretty garden room with a classic roof lantern. The floral sofa and black-and-white tiled floor add some quirky retro charm.
Tell us…
How do you keep your glass extension comfy? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
No one wants to feel as if they’re living in a tropical greenhouse at Kew Gardens. If you’re worried about over-heating in the summer, or squinting every time the sun comes out, a solar-control coating on your glass will help. These reflect away the sun’s radiation, deflect glare and help to keep the room cool.
The result will be a space that’s light and bright without any of the discomfort. You can also get special glass that tints on demand, to provide shady spots.