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Designing a Conservatory Kitchen: Blending Style and Function

Conservatory kitchens not only increase the value of your property, but also are desirable for their ability to transform an average kitchen space into a bright and beautiful social space. If you are planning to build a conservatory kitchen, this article will help you with tips and tricks to design and build what could be your favourite space in your house.

If you think of an ideal conservatory space, what crosses your mind? Ample natural light, good ventilation, and just a free open space that can greatly impact your living. People are on the lookout for more breathing spaces, though not expansive, they need the aura of a good ventilated space amidst the urban concrete dwellings. In today’s context, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that conservatory spaces are the need of the hour.

Is there an Ideal Space for a Conservatory Design?

What better way than a kitchen conservatory for an ideal social and comfy space? If you think, a conservatory kitchen can probably change the way you feel about your house. Not that other spaces of your house cannot be ideal for a conservatory design, but bedrooms are bedrooms. They can be those getaways for privacy and intimacy, anything more can just be a great design.

A living room can still be a great space for a conservatory design, but what tops all these are kitchen spaces. Why? Imagine a kitchen space with a diner, one that connects your garden. Now add that conservatory design to your kitchen with patio doors, expansive windows that allow more natural light and air.

Wouldn’t that be the perfect social setting for a rejuvenated living with family and friends? Let’s discuss how to build a conservatory kitchen while preparing the perfect blend of beauty and function.

What’s a Typical Conservatory Kitchen?

A kitchen conservatory design is typically characterised by glass or uPVC extensions with a roof. Along with offering that beautiful garden view, the kitchen should seamlessly connect to the garden space, should include a diner space, a lounge area, with doors and windows made with double or triple gazing to achieve better energy efficiency. Overall, it should make for an aesthetically stunning and functionally effective space.

Extension Architecture: Crafting your Dream Kitchen

Building a conservatory kitchen that is visually appealing along with being a fruitful utility space can be achieved only by thoughtful scrutiny of each element and by carefully assessing all parameters involved. The good news is conservatory kitchens are in fact less expensive in comparison to the conventional brick clad kitchens which usually limit light inflow offering a sombre aura. So, going for a conservatory kitchen is a win-win on all fronts.

Consider these important factors when designing your dream conservatory kitchen.

The Triangle Rule

Being experts in designing expansive, conservatory kitchen spaces, at Extension Architecture, we are renowned for ensuring easy accessibility between the sink, oven and fridge. Called the triangle rule, we have helped many clients enhance space efficiency and comfort inside their kitchens.

Structure

When building a conservatory kitchen, planning the structure is all about ensuring seamless access to the diner, garden, and the living room whilst allowing maximum inflow of natural light & air.

Direction: A conservatory facing south will get ample natural light.

Doors & Windows: Installing patio doors, bifold doors, large windows, and skylights will bring in more light. Let open the eaves to allow maximum natural light.

Materials: Using energy efficient, durable materials will help in retaining heat and insulating the space from outside noise. Aluminum frames, uPVC frames, and use of acoustic and reflective glass is recommended.

Temperature Control & Privacy: Usage of blinds can solve both problems. If you do not care, then let them free.

Worktop: A kitchen worktop made of granite, quartz, or marble is best recommended as they all can resist heat and any surface stains.

Storage

Small Kitchens: Thoughtful planning of storage space is crucial especially for narrow or small kitchens. Try to optimise all structural elements including cabinets. Go for ceiling-mounted storage (pot pan storage rack), overhead storage, or make it wall-mounted in such a place where you have free space. Retractable units will save you a lot of space.

Large Kitchen Space: If you have a spacious kitchen then you can incorporate an island unit in the middle. Try utilising vertical wall space. You can still go for space saving means (ceiling-mounted storage) here too. This will help you with more workspace whilst enhancing storage.

Glazing

Conservatory kitchens are characterised by maximum usage of glass, it is hence important to choose the type of glazing. Reflective glass and acoustic glass will help resist the heat and glaze from outside.

Thermal Efficiency

Use of wood is best recommended if you have the budget. They can resist more heat when compared to aluminum and uPVC materials. If not, the latter materials are still good options. Installing skylights and foam materials on walls outside (if orangeries) will help in achieving excellent thermal efficiency.

Indoor Lighting

Glazing

Thermal Efficiency

Indoor Lighting

While natural light can fill a conservatory kitchen with light all day, the night may become darker for the same reason. So, careful planning of artificial lights is key. Use spotlights on worktops and island. Pendant lights and roof lights can be attractive options from the ceiling.

Ventilation

Since conservatory kitchens are glass dominated, they are susceptible to condensation.

Roof Vents: A great option for temperature control and especially to vent out draughts during winter

Ridge Vents: Attached on the ridges of the roof, ridge vents can keep away extreme weather fluctuations from impacting the kitchen Polycarbonate Vents: Highly useful during summer

Colour Choice

When designing a conservatory kitchen go for the eclectic. Use bold and vibrant colours on specific areas especially when you want to feature or highlight an object. Such usage draws attention and makes your kitchen look vibrant.

Turn Challenges into Features

Designing conservatory kitchens is not a walk in the park. There are several factors that can pose a challenge. Due considerations to thermal efficiency (excess heat due to more use of glass), installation of appliances such as gas, electricity, plumbing etc, require careful planning and strategical positioning.

If your kitchen is a narrow space, you need to identify and mark wall areas where there are inner electrical and plumbing lines before considering additional storage or cabinet options. If you are planning to install vents, you need to also make sure they are installed at the right place such that the air inside is exhausted appropriately and regularly.

At Extension Architecture, we have vast experience in planning and designing conservatory spaces that makes for a sociable and pleasant living experience. Our expertise is characterised by leveraging advanced technologies and incorporating energy efficient means and trends to bring out the best outcome for conservatory kitchens.

Benefits of a Conservatory Kitchen

Cost

For the unversed, conservatory kitchens are cost effective when compared to traditional brick walled kitchens. If carefully planned, the cost may actually surprise you.

Natural Light

A conservatory kitchen can flood your kitchen space with natural light and make it more ventilated. A must need feature especially in the UK where weather is a gray area.

A Rejuvenated Space

Conservatory kitchens can transform the most intricate of spaces by allowing a little more room. With a diner, and island areas, they can be a wonderful space for family bondings.

Open Space Living

Perhaps one of the underrated advantages of a conservatory kitchen is that they enable seamless access to your outdoor garden, whilst forming an easy link to your living room area and the diner, thus creating a unified field for constant communication and association.

Energy Efficient

Since they allow more natural light, there can be drastic reduction in your energy bills.

Property Value

A conservatory kitchen can lift the property value by 5-10% in the UK.

Conclusion: A Testament to Style and Expertise

Conservatory kitchens are not your regular extension planning to-do lists. Once planned and executed it’s a win-win situation for all seasons and occasions because of their energy efficient and productive nature when it comes to making the most of natural elements such as sunlight, air, etc. Aesthetically they are the most stylish spaces one can desire and afford considering their cost-effectiveness.

So, what are you waiting for? If you are planning for a kitchen renovation or to build a new kitchen space, this is your chance. Contact our experts, who are the best in the business and can help you bring your dream kitchen space into reality.

Steph Fanizza, Architectural Design & Team Manager

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Eugene Kim

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Eugene Kim, Founder and Managing Director of Extension Architecture, has led the firm for over 14 years, consistently delivering quality solutions. His dedication has been key to the company's growth and success.

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