Conservatories are great structures to add to your home; the warm and cozy ambiance makes it a great place to lounge in or hold important business meetings. The glass walls and roof allow bright sunlight to pass through, making it a great greenhouse for your plants. No matter what purpose you want to use your conservatory for, determining which style you want can help maximize your plans.
To help you choose among the different conservatory styles, here is a list of some of the most well-known conservatory design styles:
- Capella / Orangery / Lantern
- Edwardian
- Gable-End
- Garden Rooms
- Georgian
- Gull Wing
- Lean-To / Mediterranean
- Pavilion
- Victorian
The Victorian conservatory style generally has traditional finials and cresting. In terms of size and practicality, they are the most versatile, making them one of the most popular conservatory design styles. They can complement almost any home design and can adjust to any size of space allotted for it.
Basically, a capella or orangery conservatory consists of an atrium and a traditional style. The adjoining room inside is flooded with natural light, plus its grand interiors make it a top choice. The style has been around for years and has been a favorite among people who are looking for an extension that will blend perfectly into their home. Also, it is spacious enough to accommodate furniture.
The capella conservatory design is also known as the lantern conservatory style.
Another popular conservatory style, the Edwardian conservatory is the very epitome of a traditional-looking conservatory. Its square or rectangular shape allows for maximization of the floor space, while the sloping glass roof helps make the conservatory appear even more spacious. It is perfect for families who love lounging in a light, relaxed space. The classic shape of the roof is perfect for both modern and period houses.
If grandeur is what you are looking for, then a gable-end conservatory would be a great addition to your home. This style derives from the Georgian, with the gable-end being the modern counterpart. The roof front stays upright just like the ends of most houses. Like the Georgian style, it can be square or rectangular in style.
Garden rooms are built the same way as most conservatory design styles, and are perfect lounging spots to place in the garden. Its also ideal as a play area for kids, for entertaining guests, or even a surrounding structure for a Jacuzzi. Garden rooms can either be octagonal (Coniston), square (Langley), and rectangular (Kensington).
The Georgian style features a square or rectangular shape, as well as a flat front. If you plan on laying out plants and furniture inside, the Georgian conservatory would make a perfect choice. The roof is high-sloping, creating a remarkable vaulted effect.
Elegance and contemporary are the two main characteristics of a gull wing-style conservatory. This type of conservatory style is perfect for covering wider areas, and can even be used for covering the full width of your property. The roof has wings that fan out from the central wall plate, earning it its name. A popular choice among DIY builders, this conservatory is praised for its spacious interiors and distinctive outside.
If you prefer modern style, then a lean-to or Mediterranean style is the best choice. This is probably the lowest priced style of conservatory, yet gives maximum usable space. Although it looks similar to the Edwardian, it can easily be distinguished by looking at the roof, which slopes down from the house to the front of the conservatory. This area can be used as a dining room, dance studio, office, a hobby room, or any other room that you want to add to your home.
Another alternative to the classic Edwardian style, the pavilion style usually has square bases that allow maximizing of floor space. However, it has a traditional gable end and a pitched roof for allowing more light to enter the room. This is the perfect choice for modern homes.