Decisions, decisions. If you’ve made the choice not to move house after all – a sensible one in our opinion, given the instability of the housing market and the rise in stamp duty from April 2025 – and you can’t afford a full bricks and mortar extension, then a new conservatory or orangery is probably the best way of achieving more living space in your current home.
Both options come in significantly cheaper than a house extension, at around £15,000 for a conservatory and £20k or more for an orangery. So, decisions, decisions indeed. Which option is best for you and your family?
Both conservatories and orangeries are relatively small, glass-inspired, and light-drenched house extension options, but the main difference is one of design. Conservatories are built predominantly from glass – overwhelmingly so, in fact – creating a room that feels more like a continuation of your garden than a part of the house. This is ideal for homeowners who are looking for a bright and airy space in which to grow plants, luxuriate in warm sunlight, and enjoy a morning crossword and a coffee, but maybe not so much for someone looking for a home office or spare bedroom. An orangery, on the other hand, while still having ample glass, also has a mix of solid walls and large windows to create a more balanced and enclosed space that has more versatile uses while still letting in lots of natural light.
In other words, what do you plan to use your space for? Conservatories are great for families that want to ‘bring the outdoors in’, and are widely used as summer lounging spaces, play rooms, dog rooms, and dining areas. Orangeries are more flexible, being capable of year-round use and often doubling as home offices, occasional guest bedrooms, family entertainment spaces, home gyms, and even kitchen extensions with the right temperature control and insulation.
Looks are important, too. Conservatories have a versatile look that lends itself well to all manner of modern housing styles, from 1950s semis to 2020s new builds, and everything in between. The structural ‘vibe’ of an orangery is slightly different, with an unmistakably Victorian feel that works well with the quaint, old-fashioned-sounding name (orangeries are so-called because of their original use as spaces to grow citrus trees). In this sense, the right decision is one that matches the design of your orangery or conservatory with your personal tastes, the style of your home, and the everyday needs of your family.
At Harveys Windows, we have a range of modern conservatories and orangeries available to suit most budgets and styles of property. From Georgian red brick homes to mid-century suburban palaces, a growing number of Leicestershire homeowners are discovering the benefits of a conservatory or orangery from Harveys. Why not join them? For more information, or help making the best choice for you and your family, please contact one of our team today by clicking here, or by calling 01166 497 1994.
Image source: Canva