Renovating
Why it’s Time to Take a Fresh Look at Conservatories
New designs and modern technology mean today’s conservatories are slick additions that can add light, value and style to your home
There’s so much more to a conservatory these days than it being a mere extension to your ground floor. Designs can be sleeker and more modern, the use of space is cleverer than ever and challenges preconceptions, and the contemporary conservatory can add something special to your property, especially if it’s designed to let a lot more light into the house.
Here’s a selection of the different types of conservatory you can go for, and some inspiration for adding one to your home.
Here’s a selection of the different types of conservatory you can go for, and some inspiration for adding one to your home.
Change your perceptions
These days, it’s less “conservatory”, more “contemporary glass house”.
Because the main idea behind a traditional conservatory is to create a space inside that feels like outside, the best way to achieve this is to have an all-glazed extension, ideally both the walls and roof, as pictured here.
Such a solution feels like adding a modern “glass box” and anchoring it to the main building. You should combine this with flush door thresholds and simple flooring, as shown. All necessary sockets or switches simply go onto the main building wall.
However, this may not be achievable everywhere, or indeed practical where there’s very sunny exposure.
These days, it’s less “conservatory”, more “contemporary glass house”.
Because the main idea behind a traditional conservatory is to create a space inside that feels like outside, the best way to achieve this is to have an all-glazed extension, ideally both the walls and roof, as pictured here.
Such a solution feels like adding a modern “glass box” and anchoring it to the main building. You should combine this with flush door thresholds and simple flooring, as shown. All necessary sockets or switches simply go onto the main building wall.
However, this may not be achievable everywhere, or indeed practical where there’s very sunny exposure.
Think small
In central London, if you live in a terraced house and want to extend, you may only be allowed a small side or rear extension. You’ll get the largest internal area by using the structure you already have with a glazed wall and roof for a conservatory feel instead. Glass is typically thinner than bricks!
The fully glazed type, as seen here, shows it doesn’t really need to be very big – as long as you can get a small group around a table, it can be just right.
What’s the best way to add a conservatory to your home?
In central London, if you live in a terraced house and want to extend, you may only be allowed a small side or rear extension. You’ll get the largest internal area by using the structure you already have with a glazed wall and roof for a conservatory feel instead. Glass is typically thinner than bricks!
The fully glazed type, as seen here, shows it doesn’t really need to be very big – as long as you can get a small group around a table, it can be just right.
What’s the best way to add a conservatory to your home?
Take another look at orangeries
When you think of “traditional” conservatories, the orangery may spring to mind. But this kind of structure is very much back in demand these days. Not only can you use an orangery as a small, smart dining room, you can also scale it up, as shown in this picture, and make it into a grand space.
What’s really beautiful about these structures is the play of light and shadows, further emphasised by the many traditional and well-balanced divisions on the double-glazed timber doors and matching fixed panels.
If you’re thinking of having a roof lantern, again as shown here, always place it centrally to the space, and don’t forget about incorporating necessary cables for pendants. Think carefully, too, about ventilation and access for window cleaning.
Discover more about orangeries, the “ultimate conservatory”
When you think of “traditional” conservatories, the orangery may spring to mind. But this kind of structure is very much back in demand these days. Not only can you use an orangery as a small, smart dining room, you can also scale it up, as shown in this picture, and make it into a grand space.
What’s really beautiful about these structures is the play of light and shadows, further emphasised by the many traditional and well-balanced divisions on the double-glazed timber doors and matching fixed panels.
If you’re thinking of having a roof lantern, again as shown here, always place it centrally to the space, and don’t forget about incorporating necessary cables for pendants. Think carefully, too, about ventilation and access for window cleaning.
Discover more about orangeries, the “ultimate conservatory”
Transform your side return into an internal atrium
Some would argue that this isn’t a conservatory, but I’d say it is. It’s a very good, sunny option for adding another room to the house if you can’t build at the back.
A very common solution when you have a long and narrow plot – or side return – on a terraced house is to extend to the side boundary. Since this can block light from reaching your rear reception room, however, a good solution is to step back from a side extension altogether and create a room like this, a sort of internal garden with a glazed roof over it.
Having a small conservatory like this provides many possibilities, from creating a spot for a herb garden to a relaxing area with seats and storage. A small office area with plenty of light above, as shown in this picture, is a splendid use for the space, as the tall, existing walls prevent it from becoming too hot.
Some would argue that this isn’t a conservatory, but I’d say it is. It’s a very good, sunny option for adding another room to the house if you can’t build at the back.
A very common solution when you have a long and narrow plot – or side return – on a terraced house is to extend to the side boundary. Since this can block light from reaching your rear reception room, however, a good solution is to step back from a side extension altogether and create a room like this, a sort of internal garden with a glazed roof over it.
Having a small conservatory like this provides many possibilities, from creating a spot for a herb garden to a relaxing area with seats and storage. A small office area with plenty of light above, as shown in this picture, is a splendid use for the space, as the tall, existing walls prevent it from becoming too hot.
Let it almost disappear
In this example, the existing building shines through the glazed conservatory and its character is largely preserved. Thanks to the all-glass structure, the house gets a much more usable indoor/outdoor space.
To truly capture the spirit of this idea, be sure to opt for all-glass supports for the glass roof as well.
Find 10 more ideas for glass extensions
In this example, the existing building shines through the glazed conservatory and its character is largely preserved. Thanks to the all-glass structure, the house gets a much more usable indoor/outdoor space.
To truly capture the spirit of this idea, be sure to opt for all-glass supports for the glass roof as well.
Find 10 more ideas for glass extensions
Make it grand and spacious
A traditional conservatory, with all-glazed timber windows, doors and roof, always fits in with period properties, and some of you may appreciate this style so much that you can find a way to make it work with a more contemporary property, too.
Part of the charm of such a colonial-style conservatory can be that it doesn’t match the main property. It also adds a little more privacy and shows off great craftsmanship. You can allow yourself to step into a little nostalgia and celebrate this great design form for its historical value.
A traditional conservatory, with all-glazed timber windows, doors and roof, always fits in with period properties, and some of you may appreciate this style so much that you can find a way to make it work with a more contemporary property, too.
Part of the charm of such a colonial-style conservatory can be that it doesn’t match the main property. It also adds a little more privacy and shows off great craftsmanship. You can allow yourself to step into a little nostalgia and celebrate this great design form for its historical value.
Sharpen up a classic design
This example shows how to improve on a “typical” conservatory design and bring it into the 21st century. All the designer has done is simplify the otherwise very traditional detailing and made the new addition to this house very attractive.
The weight of this glass pyramid-shaped roof is held by a corner steel frame, which allows the room to open up to impressive effect.
Glass extensions like this may not be suitable for southern exposures, as they lack an easy solution for sun shades or blinds.
Read 9 things you need to know about glass roofs
This example shows how to improve on a “typical” conservatory design and bring it into the 21st century. All the designer has done is simplify the otherwise very traditional detailing and made the new addition to this house very attractive.
The weight of this glass pyramid-shaped roof is held by a corner steel frame, which allows the room to open up to impressive effect.
Glass extensions like this may not be suitable for southern exposures, as they lack an easy solution for sun shades or blinds.
Read 9 things you need to know about glass roofs
Consider an “off the shelf” solution
There is, unsurprisingly, a large number of skilled conservatory makers and suppliers out there. It can often be cost-effective to buy one of these “off-the-shelf” products. Why pay to design something that already exists? Do your research to find a style you like.
There is, unsurprisingly, a large number of skilled conservatory makers and suppliers out there. It can often be cost-effective to buy one of these “off-the-shelf” products. Why pay to design something that already exists? Do your research to find a style you like.
Plump for freestanding in the garden
While many of us want to increase the internal floor space in our homes, there’s something to be said for going back to the old idea of a freestanding conservatory in the garden.
If your garden is big enough to have such a detached, glazed piece of design history, it could be a very intimate, pleasant space – especially if you include some contemporary additions, such as heating and lighting.
TELL US…
Are you considering a conservatory? Or have you recently had one built? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
While many of us want to increase the internal floor space in our homes, there’s something to be said for going back to the old idea of a freestanding conservatory in the garden.
If your garden is big enough to have such a detached, glazed piece of design history, it could be a very intimate, pleasant space – especially if you include some contemporary additions, such as heating and lighting.
TELL US…
Are you considering a conservatory? Or have you recently had one built? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
These two architectural forms are similar, and usually the only way to distinguish between them is that an extension has more solid walls than glazed areas. However, this is open to interpretation.
This example, for instance, bridges the two. You could argue there are technically more solid walls than glazed ones, so although it has the feel of a conservatory, it’s actually a very sunny extension. It also requires structure and thus foundations. Normally, if what you’re planning doesn’t need foundations and it’s mainly glass, it’s a conservatory.
I’m saying this up front so that some of our less typical conservatory options included here make more sense!