The very idea of an orangery brings up thoughts of elegant estates of old, but there’s nothing old fashioned about this type of greenhouse. In fact, it’s a wonderful way to create a little piece of heaven in your own back garden.

Originally, orangeries came into popularity in the 17th century as a greenhouse for fruit trees. Rather than just growing a few delicate plants, these conservatories were large and housed entire orchards. They were used for oranges and limes, but later, more exotic plants were added to the popular garden greenhouses and it became commonplace to have pineapples growing, as well. Any type of tropical fruit could grow within the brightly lit conservatory and it became cheaper to do so.

The orangery was first built in Italy’s Renaissance gardens. It was only once glass could be made in large panes that the idea became a reality. Glazed roofs provided light from above and fires or stoves were used to keep the space warm enough for tropical fruit trees to survive.

In Versailles, Europe’s largest orangery was built to house 3,000 orange trees for Louis XIV. The impressive piece of architecture was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart and remained the largest greenhouse until the 1840s.

Orangeries were used for more than merely housing fruit trees, however. They were also used to show off to one’s friends and others in high society. The pleasant atmosphere was added to by including ponds and fountains, among the trees. They were even used as places of entertainment when the cold weather set in and no one wanted to be outdoors or even in a draughty house.

Orangeries are slightly different from conservatories in that they usually contain less glass than a conservatory, which may be made up entirely out of glass in some cases. An orangery will usually have walls with glass windows set into them.

Modern Orangeries and Why You Need One

Of course, orangeries have come a long way since the 17^th century and they are now making a comeback. However, today’s orangeries are considerably smaller and tend to be set in a back garden or even built as an extension onto a home. They’re often used as a part of the home, rather than a greenhouse or place to grow fruit trees and entertain.

Thanks to better technology, glazed glass panes are now available to keep the chill out, so you don’t necessarily need that wooden stove that was once used to keep the room warm. Your regular house heating will do nicely.

Now, on to the reasons you should have your own orangery in your home.

1. It Enhances the Beauty and Value of the Home

If you plan to sell your home in the future, an orangery is a wonderful way to increase the value. You can select a variety of plans, but they will all add value and make your home worth more when you go to sell it.

Since many people are looking for ways to boost the value of their house before they put it on the market, you can stand out from the crowd and add an orangery to your home as an extension and create a peaceful, beautiful space where you enjoy the view and being part of nature. All this while you stay cosy and warm inside.

There are many reasons to build a conservatory, but it’s a good idea to build it partially for yourself, at least. It can be a truly beautiful space that you’ll enjoy spending time in until you sell the home or move on.

2. Add More Space to Your Home

If you’ve been feeling cramped in your current home, you may appreciate a little extra space to spread out. An orangery is the perfect way to add more space to your home. It can be used for:

Lounge: What better place to enjoy time spent with family and friends than in a well-lit space with a view? Orangeries are ideal for making extra room for your loved ones to come over and visit.

Bedroom: If you’re in need of another bedroom, whether for guests or someone in your household, an orangery makes a very beautiful bedroom space, with plenty of natural light to wake you in the morning.

Home Office: Do you work from home? Then you’ll need an office space and an orangery is a wonderful addition that works well as an office. You have the views and the clean lines, plus plenty of space to keep your papers.

Studio: Whether you prefer painting or sewing or something else entirely, an orangery can easily be converted into a simple studio. It’s well lit and offers unique views of the garden and surrounding area, which makes it ideal for writing and crafting, as well as painting.

Dining Room: If you’re running out of space to serve your meals, then an addition to the house might be just the thing to make it all much simpler. You can fit quite a table into your orangery and it will hold everyone you invite for holiday dinners or other special occasions.

Exercise Space: Set up your treadmill and other exercise equipment in the orangery to enjoy working out in the beautiful natural light that pours through the windows. This can help motivate you to work harder as you work out, thanks to the bright light and comfortable space.

Children’s Play Space: Another good option for this type of addition is to create a play space for your children. This can contain just a few of their favourite toys, a cosy rug, and some comfortable spaces to play and read as desired.

The possibilities are endless. You can turn your orangery into whatever you like.

3. No Need for a Permit in Many Cases

It’s easier to get a permit for an orangery, or you may not even need one, depending on where you live. Not needing a permit to build will allow you to add a whole extra room onto your home without worries.

In order to add the orangery without a permit, you need to be sure that it is not over 4 metres high and does not include any balconies, verandas, or elevated platforms. The eaves should not be higher than 3 metres if the orangery is within 2 metres of a structure boundary and it cannot be more than 50% of the house size or more than half the width of the house. As long as it falls within these guidelines, you should be able to put in an orangery whenever you please.

It’s far easier to add on an orangery or conservatory than it is to build a secondary home on the same property. This is where it may come in useful having an extra building.

4. Choose Your Own Design

An orangery can not only be used as a whole extra room, it can also be decorative and make your whole house look better. There are so many different designs on the market that it could take weeks to make a decision. However, once you’ve selected the design you’d like, you can customise it to create the space you’ve always dreamed of.

These are just a few of the reasons you might want to add an orangery to your home and garden.

Choosing the Right Conservatory Doors

Of course, your orangery will lead outdoors, too, so you need to choose the perfect doors for your space. Look for doors that serve to enhance the entire experience and that will help you bring the outdoors in. Sliding doors, for example, may be an excellent option for this. They can be left open and will let in the fresh air and sunlight.

Folding glass doors are another option. They fold out of the way neatly, but can always be closed easily again if need be. These allow for a beautiful view of the outdoors and can enhance the windows in the orangery.

Finally, a regular door style is also an option. If you enjoy more standard looking doors, then this is a good choice. You might have it come to the side to avoid interrupting the windows, but the door can also be inset with a window to add to the viewing of the outdoors.

Whether you’re interested in raising the value of your home or just want more natural light and a little extra space, you can put an orangery to good use. These additions are easy to install and can really enhance your home.

Ready to choose your perfect orangery addition? Contact Lifestyle Designs today to choose the perfect addition for your home.