Contemporary Bungalow Renovation and Extension in Kent

Transforming a dated bungalow into a contemporary forever home designed around open-plan living and natural light

The client approached us to reconfigure a dated detached bungalow in Kent into a warm, welcoming home. 

To fulfil the brief, we introduced side and rear single-storey extensions and undertook a complete interior redesign.

The scheme creates a light-filled open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space, alongside a master suite, guest accommodation, and improved circulation throughout the home.

Our interior design combines natural materials, layered lighting, and a restrained palette to create a warm atmosphere.

The Bungalow

This detached bungalow in Kent had a limited footprint, and the interior felt dated and disconnected. 

The kitchen was tucked away to one side of the house, while an old conservatory at the rear felt isolated from the main living spaces and looked like an afterthought, despite being the room with the strongest connection to the garden. 

Two similarly sized bathrooms sat side by side, occupying valuable floor area without making the best use of the available space.

The Brief: Reimagining a Bungalow for Modern Living

Having recently purchased the property, the client wanted to transform it into a long-term home better suited to relaxed everyday living.

 Their key priority was creating an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space for entertaining and spending time with family and visiting friends.

As a keen gardener, they wanted the interior spaces to feel more connected to the garden. The brief also included a generous master suite, a guest bedroom with an en-suite, a WC, and a functional utility room.

The owner’s ideas aligned with our own vision for the interiors from the outset - the goal was going to be to create a relaxed, welcoming home through combining natural materials with layered lighting.

The Design: A Contemporary Bungalow Transformation

Rather than relying on large additions, we worked carefully within the existing footprint and introduced modest side and rear extensions, which also ensured the garden was not compromised.

The rear extension replaces the dated conservatory with a slightly larger living space that opens directly onto the garden. The side extension provides a guest suite.

Although relatively compact, the two single-storey extensions significantly improved the usable living space.

However, the new open plan internal arrangement has an even bigger impact, creating a home that feels significantly more open and connected to the garden.

Reconfiguring the Layout

The new plan creates three distinct zones within the bungalow:

• A central open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space designed for entertaining 
• A large master bedroom with an en-suite 
• A guest with an en-suite.

We carefully integrated utility and storage spaces into the layout, including a separate utility room, WC, coats cupboard, and a small study. The reconfiguration also creates a more generous entrance hall.

Although the layout is open-plan, subtle details help each space feel naturally separated with clear ‘zones’. A peninsula divides the kitchen from the dining area, while the original wall line and a new beam mark the transition into the rear extension.

Bringing Light Into the Centre of the Home

The original layout included several enclosed rooms, which limited natural light through the centre of the bungalow. 

To brighten these darker spaces, we incorporated large glazed openings, bifold doors, and a vaulted ceiling with four rooflights into the rear extension.

The vaulted ceiling also makes the living space feel more spacious without overwhelming the original scale of the bungalow.

Warm Contemporary Interiors

Our brief for the project was to deliver clean and minimal interiors that still felt homely and comfortable. We developed a natural palette featuring neutral tones, eucalyptus greens, coffees, and creams. 

We carried this palette throughout the bungalow for a seamless and consistent feel;, including continuous oak-effect flooring, to create a strong sense of flow between the different spaces.

The Entrance Hall

The new entrance hall provides a spacious and welcoming area and connects the different rooms.

Here, we introduced integrated storage, including a dedicated coats cupboard, to keep the area organised and uncluttered.

The Kitchen and Dining Area

The kitchen follows an L-shaped layout with a large peninsula with seating that extends into the open-plan space. 

We concealed much of the storage and appliances, such as a wine fridge, behind cabinetry to maintain the clean aesthetic. Neutral tones and softer finishes help the space feel cohesive with the rest of the house.

Marble-look surfaces introduce texture and warmth, while smoked glass pendant lighting above the peninsula and dining table helps distinguish the two areas.

We positioned the sink beneath a generous window to bring natural light into the main working area.

A six-seater dining table defines the dining area. A console table and mirror beyond it help reflect natural light through the interior and add visual depth.

The Living Space

The open-plan living space is arranged around a feature inset gas fireplace positioned beneath the rooflights at the centre of the rear extension. A marble-look composite surround introduces texture and warmth without overpowering the neutral palette. 

We specified a large L-shaped sofa alongside a curved velvet accent chair in front of the fireplace to create a relaxed and sociable seating arrangement. Layering fabrics introduces texture and warmth to the space.

A wall-mounted TV sits within a recessed alcove above a bespoke timber media unit, helping maintain a less screen-focused living space.

We chose a palette of neutral and earthy tones to balance the scale of the vaulted ceiling.

The Bedrooms

For the master bedroom, we specified a light palette of eucalyptus and warm neutral tones to make the space feel soft and bright. 

The guest bedroom introduces slightly richer tones and layered textures while staying in keeping with the wider material palette. 

In both rooms, we incorporated full-height curtains on a concealed double-track system. These combine voile with a blackout layer to adjust privacy and natural light throughout the day.

Bronze wall lights add softer ambient lighting, creating a calmer atmosphere in the evenings.

The Study

The home office provides a quiet space for day-to-day administration. It includes a timber desk with integrated storage and a comfortable chair.

Natural light from the window helps brighten the compact space, while neutral tones keep the room consistent with the rest of the bungalow.

Bathrooms & Utility Spaces

The bathrooms were a key element of the interior design within this home. Building upon the calm and natural feel of the main habitable rooms, the bathrooms were an opportunity to be slightly more playful.

The colours are bolder than those in the rest of the house, for that moment of surprise when you enter. The deeper tones are richer, adding warmth.

The en-suites combine terrazzo porcelain tiles for character, textured finishes, and concealed perimeter lighting to create warm, contemporary spaces with a relaxed atmosphere. 

The WC introduces a slightly bolder character through blue-green Kit Kat tiles and brass hardware, while the utility room incorporates full-height storage and a dedicated laundry space.

Planning 

Elizabeth Nixon Interiors secured planning permission for the bungalow renovation and extensions, while also producing the Building Regulations application.

The approval process progressed smoothly, with no significant amendments required.

Developing the architectural layout and interior design together from an early stage allowed us to create a cohesive proposal that balanced the client’s lifestyle priorities with the bungalow’s structural constraints.

The Client’s Feedback

The client was closely involved throughout the project and remained enthusiastic, reacting positively to the evolving layouts, materials, and visualisations.

This collaborative approach helped us refine the design while keeping it closely aligned with the client’s long-term vision.

The result is a carefully reconfigured bungalow centred around a bright open-plan living space that forms the heart of the home and encourages a more relaxed way of living.

Planning a Bungalow Transformation? Interior Architecture and Design in Kent

Elizabeth Nixon Interior Architecture And Design works across Kent and Sussex, delivering carefully considered renovations, extensions, and interior design projects for both period and contemporary homes.

Whether you are planning a bungalow renovation, reconfiguring your home layout, or updating your interiors, we shape each project around the way you want to live. 

To arrange an initial consultation, contact us here.