Traditional conservatories are a sought after feature for British homes, allowing us to enjoy a blended indoor and outdoor space in summer, and affording maximum daylight and views of the garden in winter. They were once a luxurious feature only affordable to the very wealthy with large estates, but now a conservatory can be a wonderful addition to any home.
Here’s a look at how the conservatory evolved from an exotic rarity to a popular type of extension for UK homeowners.
The rise of the orangery
Glass houses have been used in some form to cultivate fruit and vegetables since the Roman era, and they were also used in Southeast Asia as early glass making methods evolved. However, these were thought to be largely functional structures that didn’t bear much resemblance to the later versions.
The grander style orangeries that combined brick and lantern roofs with tall windows were first introduced in Renaissance Italy to protect citrus trees during the winter, and they were designed to be decorative as well as practical. The idea was imitated throughout Europe, and they were first introduced to England in the mid 16th century.
A status symbol for the landed gentry
Initially, orangeries were stand alone structures rather than an extension to an existing building, and were constructed in the grounds of large aristocratic houses to enable the growing of citrus fruits during the winter. However, they were not just functional buildings, but built to impress: glass was expensive so the numerous tall windows were a status symbol.
During the summer months when the plants could be moved outside, orangeries were used for entertaining. They were usually south-facing and the large windows afforded uninterrupted views over the garden, so orangeries were pleasant places to socialise and relax, much as they are today.
The rise of the middle class conservatory
By the Victorian era, orangeries were evolving into the more modern style of conservatory that is still popular today. Improvements in glassmaking technology meant that it was cheaper and easier to mass produce large panes of glass. The Industrial Revolution led to the availability of cast iron frameworks that could support larger panes of glass.
This made conservatories an aspirational feature for the growing middle class. In smaller homes, the conservatory was added as an extension of the main building rather than as a stand alone building. Victorians were very interested in the cultivation of exotic plants, and conservatories were still used for their original purpose of nurturing winter plants.
However, as is the case today, they also made welcome extra living spaces that could be used for dining, entertaining, or simply relaxing and enjoying the light and views. They were also highly decorative, with ornate ironwork and intricate details, and the conservatory was still very much a symbol of the homeowner’s good taste and affluence.
Why the traditional conservatory is still so popular today
By the latter half of the 20th century, manufacturing techniques improved further with innovations such as double glazing and uPVC frames. This meant that conservatories were affordable to the average homeowner, and they became a common feature of suburban homes.
The purpose of the conservatory has also evolved as better insulation methods and underfloor heating mean that they can be comfortably used all year round for a variety of purposes.
Multifunctional spaces
As we use our homes in so many different ways today, conservatories remain as popular as ever. The rise of digital technology has freed up the workforce from the office, many people use their conservatories as a homeworking space. The pleasant views and abundant natural light make them ideal places to carry out a productive day’s work.
Conservatories are also used as home gyms, dining rooms, entertainment hubs, playrooms, or simply as a beautiful space to relax and enjoy morning coffee or an afternoon with a good book. Of course, they are still very useful places for protecting sensitive plants during the winter time.
Today, there’s more choice of conservatory design than ever, from traditional wooden framed styles, classic Victorian, or sleek and contemporary. Modern materials such as high performance glazing mean that they are low maintenance, and much easier to heat and keep cool during the summer.
They are stylish, functional, and an attractive feature that can add value to your home, as well as increasing your enjoyment of it and quality of life.