Convert Your Conservatory: Make It Feel Like a Real Room

Perhaps you love your conservatory – the light, the view, the extra space – but find yourself not using it as much as you hoped. Many homeowners discover that traditional conservatories, with their lightweight roofs and glazed walls, simply don’t perform like the rest of the home. Whether the space feels too cold in winter, too hot in summer, or just awkward to use, a conservatory conversion could be the perfect solution.

At Single Storey Design, we specialise in turning underused conservatories into beautiful, functional rooms that feel like a natural extension of your home.

Why Convert Your Conservatory?

Enjoy Year-Round Comfort

Original conservatory roofs – typically polycarbonate or glass – are great for light, but poor at insulation. That often leaves these spaces too cold, too warm or generally uncomfortable outside of a narrow temperature band.

A conservatory conversion replaces the lightweight roof with a fully insulated, tiled system and integrates the space into the home’s overall thermal envelope. The result? A room that stays warm in winter and cool in summer, just like the rest of your house.

What Kind of Spaces Can You Create?

Conservatory conversions are flexible and can be tailored to your needs. Popular options include:

Garden rooms & lounges – Perfect for relaxing or entertaining
Home offices – Quiet, bright and distraction-free workspaces
Dining spaces and kitchens – Expand your indoor living areas
Playrooms or hobby rooms – Functional and family-friendly space

Each conversion is designed around how you want to use the room, with materials and finishes chosen to match your style.

What’s Involved in a Conversion?

A typical conservatory conversion includes:

Roof Replacement: Upgrading to a fully insulated, tiled roof
Structural Integration: Ensuring the space ties into your home’s existing walls and foundations
Thermal Upgrades: Insulated walls, flooring and glazing to meet modern standards
Internal Finishes: Plastering, electrics, lighting and décor to create a comfortable living space

This creates a room that not only looks great but also adds genuine usable space to your home.

Benefits of Converting Instead of Rebuilding

Many homeowners consider simply building a new extension – but a conversion often offers major advantages:

More Cost-Effective

Conversions typically cost less than full extensions because the basic structure already exists.

Quicker Build Time

With much of the conservatory already in place, the conversion process is faster, meaning less disruption.

Less Planning & Building Hassle

In many cases, conservatory conversions don’t require the same level of planning permission as a full extension, though building standards and regulations still apply. A professional team will guide you through the requirements.

Is Planning Permission Needed?

In most cases, conservatory conversions fall under permitted development – meaning planning permission isn’t required – so long as the external footprint isn’t expanded. However, building regulations compliance is still essential to ensure structural safety, insulation and ventilation standards are met.

The team at Single Storey Design will advise on regulations to make the process smooth from start to finish.

Make the Space Work for You

Conservatories are full of potential, but they only become truly useful when they’re comfortable and functional. A professional conversion transforms a once-underused space into a room you’ll reach for every day – whether for dining, working, relaxing or entertaining.