Thoughts on modernisation?

Charles

last year

last modified: last year

Hi all, we’d like to improve the current state of our house on a limited budget (£20k max).

Challenges:

Kitchen / living areas are separate
Kitchen is a bit dated
Conservatory could do with modernisation

Any advice on how to improve the space on a low budget?

Many thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

sharon sutton

last year

Probably a smaller extension given your budget, but often well designed space with good storage is more valuable in life style terms than pure square metres . Having said that, Jonathan always gives good advice so if the conservatory is in good condition and you actually use it go down the route he has suggested.

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Comments (11)

sharon sutton
last year
Consider removing the conservatory all together. You maybe able to afford a small extension right across the back with French doors. Knock through into the kitchen for an open plan space.

Look into putting a summer house or a home office, which is properly insullated, elsewhere in the garden.
Charles thanked sharon sutton
Jonathan
last year
Personally I would replace the elements that look the most dated- In my opinion that kitchen worktop choice and the floor in the conservatory haven’t stood the test of time. I also think the extractor above the hob looks dated.

I think you might feel that the conservatory would be more useable with a solid roof.

And I think the picture makes the lounge look plain. I wonder if you worry about light levels and so decorated all white but I think if would benefit from more pattern- perhaps this means wallpapering they wall with the hall door, and extra soft furnishings like an oversized rug and cushions and some art.
Charles thanked Jonathan
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Charles
Original Author
last year
@sharon sutton did you mean creating an extension in place of the conservatory?
tim_baker921
last year
If your budget's limited if it ain't broke don't fix it. Me I would spend my money opening opening up the kitchen and living room and closing off the existing kitchen door. New kitchen and flooring throughout the three rooms to unify the space. Then decorate to taste. I think that would be very achievable. I don't think any extension would work without removing the conservatory and a huge uplift in budget.
Krisjanis Grosbergs
last year
Thanks Tim! We’re thinking the same ie removing the internal wall, reflooring and retiling the conservatory.
moorlikeit
last year
I can see why you have received advice to knock through from the kitchen to the living room as the kitchen is rather narrow. But before going ahead it is worth considering how the loss of a wall will impact both the kitchen and living room: in my experience walls are jolly useful! Perhaps lose just a section of wall to give a greater sense of space without sacrificing too much useful wall for storage etc. Explore the idea of broken plan. I agree that replacing the conservatory flooring and putting in a solid roof would update that space and make it more comfortable in extremes of weather.
tim_baker921
last year
Yes walls are useful that's why blocking up the kitchen door is the key to creating the kitchen living room.

Taking on more like it's point you could leave 2feet of the wall to book end your kitchen area and have a C layout. Or just leave a section of wall at the window end giving the option of a J layout for a more inclusive feel.

My favourite would be to reduce the width of the window and have a single run of cabinets. Then put in a full height window which would focus views down the length of the garden. This would leave room for a good sized island to complete the modern look. Functionally you would also loose the corner cabinets which are always a compromise.
Jonathan
last year
Before you take down the wall be sure that you know where all the furniture is going to go
Charles
Original Author
last year
Thank you all such amazing ideas! Would you knock the protruding area of the existing structure that stretches into the extension?
PRO
Agency of Architecture
last year
Hi Charles, It sounds like you have had some wonderful advice but I'm always one look at maximising the existing space over new construction. There are number of factors which can contribute towards the efficacy of space. Obviously the orientation of the current building will factor greatly into the light permeation. Which means if your garden is south facing, placing an extension with lots of glazing will overheat the habitual areas. Obviously, replacing the conservatory is probably sensible but extending towards the whole rear means you have created new issues, such as kitchen orientation and how that communicates with the surrounding space. If you remove the wall into the lounge or create a moveable partition this will grant more flexibility. Also if you opt to build on the existing footprint of the conservatory there could be an opportunity for a level threshold into the garden. This is an effective way to utilise the garden space and extend internally without the added cost of construction. The views into the garden from the kitchen can be preserved or even enhanced with a picture window and seating arrangement. There are windows which pivot to allow openness and a small courtyard can be designed in that corner Infront of the kitchen and parallel to the extension.

Thoughts on modernisation?

sharon sutton

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