Building an extension or a conservatory can offer a prime opportunity to almost literally think out of the box by designing an extension which extends onto an outside patio and from there into the garden. Depending on the proposed use of this indoor/outdoor space this extension to your home can potentially more than double the usable area at relatively little extra cost.

To maximise the effect of the extra space your outside area will have added, you should match the flooring in both the new extension and the outside patio and where possible build the floor of the outside patio area to the same height as the floor of the inside area. Tiles are the ideal flooring material as they can be used both inside and outside. Care should be taken when choosing you tiles as they need to be weather proof and frost proof for the outside element and have a “nonslip when wet” finish. This makes for a seamless transition from inside to outside, both aesthetically and practically, making it easier and safer to access the whole area.

There obviously needs to be a secure, retractable closure between inside and outside areas and this can be best achieved by utilising either sliding glass doors or glazed bifold doors, which are probably the best option to achieve a level threshold. It should be noted that if employing a level threshold, the outside element of the flooring should be angled slightly away from the inside portion. This would allow any rainwater to drain away from the property and avoid the likelihood of the ingress of water to the inside space. A threshold of this type and matching flooring makes it easier for family and guests to move from one area to the other.

This indoor/outdoor space should be designed to reflect the décor and furnishings of the rest of the indoor areas of the house as it transitions to the outside of the property. The outside space should likewise compliment the layout and style of the rest of the garden, although the planning of the space itself depends very much on how the area will be used. This may be influenced by the amount of direct sunlight the area gets and other factors such as privacy from other properties.

The outdoor space may be used for a chill out area with a few soft furnishings, where you and your guests can relax with a drink or as a quiet space for you to read a good book. It may also be used as an entertainment space with a dining area complete with an outside cooking area with a BBQ, pizza oven or a fully fitted outdoor kitchen. A fitted outdoor kitchen may require some protection from the elements, so fitting a canopy of some sort may be worth thinking about. That could range from a simple canvass canopy to a fixed timber or metal pergola, possibly incorporating a retractable roof which would provide shade from direct sun or shelter from the occasional shower of rain.

The inside space of our homes has electricity and there is no reason to limit that to these areas, so to ensure that your outside space can accommodate cooking equipment and other electrical appliances it would be wise to make power available in the outside space as well. Electricity also means that lighting could be added to your outside space, making it useable into the evening. There is a wide range of lighting suitable and safe for outdoor use, hanging lanterns, floor standing lamps or strings of lights either on the pergola roof or in the area around the dining area.

Electricity also means that heaters can be introduced to the area. These can either be free standing of fitted to the structure of a pergola and would offer a little background warmth to overcome the cool of the evening should that be needed.

It is unlikely that adding on an outside space alone, even with a fixed pergola would require planning permission, although there are limitations to what you can build. It is more likely that if you are planning to build an inside/outside extension that you may need to apply to the local authority for permission. You should always inform your local authority of your plans to avoid contravention of planning regulations. All building and construction work including electrical work is subject to compliance with UK building regulations and as such must be certified by a suitably qualified inspector. Often contractors and electricians are able to self-certify their own work if they are registered with the appropriate trade body.

Even building an outside space only the more complex your project becomes the more important is becomes to take advice from professionals who regularly design and build projects like this. They will be able to give guidance on all aspects of your outside space. If you are building  an extension incorporating both inside and outside space you will need an architect to design the project, work out the materials required to meet all regulations and if need be, manage the ongoing project.