Adding a Conservatory in the UK
Adding a conservatory to your home is a relatively cost-effective and simple way to increase your homes habitable space. A conservatory is a glass room built onto your house which will typically function as additional living or eating space particularly during the summer months. The more you build out from your home, the more you reduce your garden. This simple compromise will help you to judge what size your conservatory should be. A conservatory provides a great transition between inside and outside spaces and in many homes becomes the hub of summer activity.
Due to their mostly glass construction, conservatories are vulnerable to the weather conditions outside. If you place your conservatory in a south facing area, it will get hot and require to be cooled with some combination of blinds, vents or air conditioning. Equally if you place your conservatory with a north facing aspect then you may need to provide additional heating for it. The relentless sun will also fade furniture which you place in a south facing conservatory, consider this when you furnish it.
Most conservatories are exempt from requiring planning permission, though you should check your specific circumstances with your local authority. There are exceptions to the general rule, specifically for conservatories built in the direction of a road or for houses which have already been extended.
Conservatories are often available in kit form, to construct yourself. A popular option is to have a conservatory supplied and installed by a specialist conservatory company. These companies have lots of experience of specific problems with conservatory construction. Get recommendations from friends who have had conservatories installed, go and look at them and see how they have weathered over the years. Don't be shy about asking the company for references from customers.
Conservatories can be an effective way to add value to your home, though it is unlikely that the value added will outweigh the cost of the conservatory in the first place. If you are in need of more space though and don't want the hassle or costs of moving house then adding a conservatory to your house could be the perfect compromise solution.