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Lean to conservatory ideas


20 Genius Conservatory Ideas to Suit Every Home

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Lean-to conservatory by Vale Garden Houses (Image credit: Vale Garden Rooms)

Our round-up of conservatory ideas will help you create a beautiful room with a view that seamlessly extends into the garden. 

Adding a conservatory to your home will not only boost your living space but allow you to enjoy your garden all year round. 

First, it's important to distinguish between conservatories, sunrooms, orangeries and glazed extensions. Conservatories need to have at least two thirds of the room's roof and a minimum of 50% the walls made of glass to fall into this category. 

Orangeries generally feature a flat or mansard roof with a glazed lantern for extra light while sunrooms often have a solid roof and large panels of glazing. These distinctions are important regarding Building Regulations, but the ideas associated can be generally carried from project to project.  

Depending on your style of home and your budget, these multi-purpose glazed extensions are available in a range of configurations, from off-the-shelf options to fully bespoke designs.

Conservatory Ideas: What is the Best Use for a Conservatory? 

"Considering the functionality of the room at design stage is paramount — traditional uses for a conservatory include a living room or dining room but they have evolved in recent years to include creating space for a larger kitchen extension and, during the pandemic in particular, as a home office," advises Karen Bell, sales director at David Salisbury . 

"A conservatory will add multi-functional living space that can be used for a wide variety of uses," she adds.

"A bespoke conservatory can be designed to suit almost any style of property, from period or listed buildings to more contemporary-style homes. Perhaps the most obvious benefit of a conservatory is the abundant volume of natural light that will fill the room during the day. Conservatories are often added to the rear of properties that were previously quite dark, suffering from low light levels."

1. Use a Modern Conservatory to Create a Connection with the Garden

(Image credit: London Tile Co)

One of the biggest draws of adding a new conservatory or upgrading an existing one is the instant link it forms between the house and the outdoor spaces. 

A mid-way sanctuary, conservatories offer the best of both worlds, and modern advancements in glazing and insulation mean they can be suitable for use all year-round. 

Here, matching indoor and outdoor porcelain flooring tiles means that when the patio doors are opened, the boundaries are blurred and the space feels beautifully light and open. 

2. Build a Small Conservatory to Make a Big Impact

This townhouse conservatory is by Vale Garden Houses. (Image credit: Vale Garden Houses)

Light is the best way to open up a small space, which is why compact conservatories often appear more spacious than they are and can sometimes work better than building an extension.

A smaller conservatory cost will also be lower than a traditional brick-and-block extension and will come with a fraction of the disruption and disturbance. 

Small designs work well with terraced homes and cottages, but it is best to give them a purpose. They make the perfect light-filled hobby room, a spot for reading or even a home office design.

3. Add an Orangery to a Period Property

This bespoke orangery design with a glass roof by Vale Garden Houses . (Image credit: Vale Garden Houses)

Classic orangery ideas tend to be sympathetic to the existing property, blending in with the look and feel of your home. An orangery is a more substantial building that has less glass and more structured walls. They tend to have a solid roof with a large glazed roof lantern in the centre. 

Look at including colours and materials that complement, and pay attention to the overall design and roof style.

“Where possible utilise matching building materials for the base works — reclaim or handmade bricks, stone, flint facings and render, all need to be appropriate to the building and the area in which you reside,” says Lisa Morton, director at Vale Garden Houses.

4. Opt for a Pop of Colour in a New Conservatory

(Image credit: Bridgman)

Manufacturers can add colour to your conservatory frame to match your existing home, or to create a striking contrast. Natural shades and muted greens are a popular choice for period properties, while grey and white tend to be better suited to modern houses. 

“If you’re looking to add colour into your conservatory, PVCu or timber are now widely available in an array of colours and finishes and can even be made with wood grain details. With the option of choosing a dual colour combination, homeowners are allowed to add colour into their conservatories in a variety of ways,” says Ryan Schofield, managing director of Thames Valley Window Company .

5. Discover Alternative Materials to uPVC

(Image credit: Garden Trading)

While uPVC is the most cost-effective option for a conservatory's structural material it isn't the most long-lasting of choices. Modified timbers like Accoya or oak frame conservatories provide a characterful and sustainable alternative, but often come with a hefty price to match.  

Softwoods like larch or Douglas fir also require more maintenance than a homeowner might want from a larger structure, although could be styled to match a period home with painted timber windows. 

Aluminium is a strong contender for the contemporary appearance and uninterrupted views of a uPVC conservatory and has the benefit of being a strong, durable material. 

6. Update Conservatory Interiors with Character and Personality

(Image credit: Vale Garden Houses)

Existing conservatories can often be left to date due to their ancillary nature to the rest of the 'more permanent' spaces inside the house. However, considering conservatory interior ideas while designing the structure of your new garden room will make all the difference when it comes time to enjoy it throughout the year. 

Consider decoration of the dwarf wall, interesting conservatory lighting ideas and modern flooring choices. 

Taking it's cue from sunroom ideas, this space masterfully adds a pop of colour and personality with a full-height bookcase full of personal items and books. A similar effect can be produced in a conservatory with freestanding units or a characterful shelving display along the exterior wall of the main house. 

7. Match Conservatory Flooring to it's Purpose

(Image credit: Thames Valley Window Company)

Conservatory flooring ideas should be practical as well as aesthetically pleasing. 

As the conservatory sits between the interior and exterior zones of a house it must always be durable and ready to take on heavy footfall. Porcelain and stone tiles are great options for spaces with a lot of through-traffic as they're quick and easy to clean — plus they can be matched with exterior anti-slip options for a seamless transition onto the patio. 

While carpet can offer a warmth of conservatory living rooms, they have the potential to get wear quickly, so be sure to research the best carpet types for your room. 

LVT and laminate options are often a smart choice for conservatories as they're more cost-effective, easy to maintain and can come in a range of styles.  

8. Consider a Glass Box Extension

(Image credit: Thames Valley Windows Company)

If you're considering replacing conservatory with an extension, carry over the best elements you enjoyed about the garden room, such as views out to the garden or a contemporary finish. 

An extension will be a more permanent addition so include stylish conservatory designs, such as floor-to-ceiling glass walls which will look stunning from every angle and bifold or sliding patio doors to retain that connection with the outdoors. 

Glass extension ideas can come in all shapes and sizes and for a range of budgets — they might be a good compromise between a long-lasting structure and a garden room. 

9. Make the Roof a Feature in Your Conservatory

This Victorian style conservatory in Norfolk has a characterful glass pitched roof. (Image credit: Vale Garden Company)

If your conservatory is looking tired or feels cold and unpleasant to inhabit, opt for a conservatory roof replacement to give it a new lease of life.  

This could be with a solid roof featuring roof lanterns or roof lights or a fresh design which suits the style of your home more. 

Insulating a conservatory roof in this way will create a more welcoming room that doesn't fluctuate in temperature in summer and winter — while reducing energy wastage. 

10. Create Instant Wow-factor with a Large Glazed Kitchen Extension

Use a glass extension to extend your house and kitchen area like this design by  Westbury Garden Rooms (Image credit: Westbury Garden Rooms)

A large glazed extension is perfect for creating a multipurpose living space, especially if you're accustomed to a glass garden room but are weighing up the benefits of choosing an extension or conservatory. 

Ideal for a light and airy kitchen, adding a kitchen conservatory extension will open up your house to create a social space, with garden views — perfect for cooking and entertaining come rain or shine. 

11. Install Blinds to Keep a Conservatory Cool

Multi-functional, Perfect Fit Roller Blinds from Swift Direct Blinds   (Image credit: Perfect Fit Blinds)

Curtains don't often match the modern appearance of a conservatory and obstruct the views outside, but to make the most of your space, you will want to focus on adding conservatory blind ideas or window films to create shade, as well as privacy.

Electric blinds are a great way to cover a glass ceiling area that is hard to reach, but can become expensive as there will be a lot of glass to cover. You can however get poles to help you manually open roof blinds to keep costs down.

12. Add a Heat Source to a Conservatory for Year-Round Use

(Image credit: Thomas Sanderson)

Heating a conservatory might seems counter-productive as so many of us have memories of sweltering summers in a glass box, but as more modern conservatory structures are better insulated, adding a heat source will encourage use during colder winters as well. 

Whether it's underfloor heating, a radiator, or a log burning stove, adding a source to stay warm in the winter is a great idea for all glazed structures. 

This is especially important to rooms designed to be used in the evenings, such as a living or dining room. 

13. Build a Lean-to Conservatory

Lean-to conservatoires work for all style of houses. (Image credit: Getty)

The most popular conservatory is a lean-to conservatory with a single, angular sloping roof. Often referred to as a modern-day garden room, it is a simple and affordable design that can be adapted to suit both period properties and modern homes.

“Lean-to structures are simpler in style than traditional conservatory designs, with large expanses of glass that make the most of outside views. These structures also pair perfectly with bifold and sliding doors and suit nearly every home,” says Ryan Schofield of Thames Valley Window Company.

"In addition, a lean-to conservatory can be designed to wrap around a corner of a property, extending dual aspects of the home. This is particularly attractive if outside space allows it and there are different views to be enjoyed. If extending a listed property, a lean-to style conservatory is also most likely to be looked on favourably by planners," adds Karen Bell, sales director at David Salisbury.

14. Finish a Conservatory with Beautiful Patio Doors

(Image credit: Thomas Sanderson)

When designing a new conservatory, one key decision to make is which type of patio doors to include.

Sliding and bifold doors are ideal for contemporary styles that need to be pulled back for a seamless inside/outside environment, while traditional French or Belgian offer a charm to match period properties. 

15. Avoid Overheating in the Summer

This Purlfrost product can be applied directly to a window with options for special finishes: tinted, reflective, heat rejection and UV control. (Image credit: Purlfrost)

With such large amounts of glazing, it's no wonder old conservatories can be unusable in the height of summer. However, taking this into consideration when designing or upgrading a conservatory is essential for a modern space. 

Looking for glazing which has a special coating is one way to combat overheating, while retrofitting solar control window films is a cost-effective option for existing spaces. 

16. Use Lighting to Set an Evening Ambiance

(Image credit: Westbury Garden Rooms)

Although conservatories and orangeries will be flooded with natural light during the day, they can become dark and uninviting at night, so it pays to consider your artificial lighting design.  

17. Use a Conservatory for a Light-filled Dining Area

(Image credit: ercol)

Come rain or shine, experience the joys of eating outside with getting soggy by using a conservatory as a dining room. 

Elegant and effortlessly stylish, this modern dining room feels light and bright for a morning brunch, while the wired pendant light means the space is ready for dazzling on an evening with guests.

18.

Add a Touch of Elegance with a Traditional Conservatory

Beautiful yet traditional this conservatory design, by Westbury Garden Rooms, looks wonderful with it's glazed walls and glass roof. (Image credit: Westbury Garden Rooms)

For something architecturally striking, an Edwardian-style conservatory often has a square shape and large glass panels, which gives a timeless yet stylish look.

Victorian-style conservatories, on the other hand, are elegant and spacious and feature a rounded bay frontage that allows for panoramic views of the garden.

Gothic and Victorian style conservatories often have a steeply pitched roof and ornate detailing. Choosing this style is an effective way to add an eye-catching design feature that suits period properties.

19. Decide The Right Position for a New Conservatory

This dark grey conservatory by Vale Garden Houses, adds a contemporary finish. (Image credit: Vale Garden Houses)

Think about how and when a new conservatory will be used before deciding on its location. A south-east direction will make the most of morning rays while south-westerly orientations will capture sunset views, for instance. 

20. Embrace the Benefits a Conservatory can Offer 

(Image credit: Dobbies)

Awareness of how our houses can affect our wellbeing has been steadily growing in recent years. From good home ventilation to spaces which spark a sense of relaxation, there are many ways in which home design can impact our lives beyond the obvious. 

Consider adding greenery to a conservatory, creating an oasis away from a home office, or introducing the theory of daylighting into the design.

Do You Need Planning Permission for a Conservatory?

Conservatories which are designed and built under the principle of Permitted Development (PD) rights do not require planning permission. Under PD, you can extend up to 4m on a rear extension and 4m in height. Under Prior Approval, the depth doubles. 

For side extensions, the conservatory will need to be less than half of the width of the original property, as long as it is adjoining an original house wall.

There are restrictions to these rules, which include if your home is listed (you'll need Listed Building Consent to make any changes to a listed building) or situated in a Conservation Area, or is a new build, where Permitted Development rights may be removed.

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Assistant Editor Amy began working for Homebuilding & Renovating in 2018. She has an interest in sustainable building methods and always has her eye on the latest design ideas. Amy has interviewed countless self builders, renovators and extenders about their experiences for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine. She is currently renovating a mid-century home, together with her partner, on a DIY basis, and has recently fitted her own kitchen.

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Conservatory Ideas, Design & Inspiration For Every Home

It’s exciting thinking about adding a new conservatory to your home, but you need to consider a few factors to ensure that you get the right glass space for your needs.

Do you have a suitable space?

First of all, consider the size of your outdoor area. If you have limited space then you will want to add a structure that maximises the available area, but doesn’t dominate the garden/outdoor space.

If you have a large outdoor area then you need to consider how large your conservatory needs to be balanced with the size of the property.

If you have an awkward gap you can still build a glazed structure that can add valuable additional space to your home.

Don’t forget that you can’t build over a manhole and any nearby trees can cause issues with foundations.

What direction will your conservatory face?

Depending on the direction your conservatory would face can impact decisions you need to make. A north facing structure will not get much direct sun making it a cold space.

The use of energy efficient glazing will help with heat retention and you will need to consider heating. To meet building regulations the heating in a conservatory must be separate from the heating system of the main house.

If your new conservatory will be south facing then you need to consider how hot it will become in direct sunshine in the summer months. Using a low E glass can help to deflect solar gain to help with climate control. However, if you are sensitive to sun or heat, you will need to install roof blinds to fully manage the temperature.

You might also want to consider a tiled or hybrid roof for better insulation.

What style of structure will best suit your property?

As indicated above, make sure that you choose the right style of conservatory to suit the style of your property. For period houses, a badly matched structure can devalue the house so make sure your design is in keeping with the style of the house.

Choose the style of conservatory carefully and consider how you will use the space.

How do you plan to use the conservatory space?

Have you thought you might like a kitchen in your conservatory? Do you want a new living space as a family room?

Gym, home office, dining room? Or, do you want a classic conservatory as a light-filled space to relax in that bridges the gap between house and garden?

If you want a kitchen, you need to consider planning permission and building regulations. A home office or gym will need climate control. If you have close neighbours you will want more privacy than a glazed roof can offer.

A dining room would benefit from ambient lighting and a home office will want lighting for a desk.

Ensure you consider every detail of what you want to do in the space and how it will be used before you decide on the style you want to build.

Do you need planning permission for your conservatory?

A conservatory is considered a single-storey extension and follows the same regulations for planning permission. It doesn’t need planning permission if it’s built within the requirements of a permitted development.

The permitted development requirements cover the height, floor space, extension from the back of the house, distance from boundary and the percentage of the total property land area.

Always consult with your local planning authority before starting a build as local covenants can apply and if your house is in a designated area or is a listed building, additional rules apply.

At Everest, we have a specialist planning department that will manage planning permission for you.

Do you need to meet building requirements for your conservatory?

In addition to planning, building regulations also need to be considered.

For a structure to be considered a ‘conservatory’ and be exempt from Building Regulations it must be no more than 30 metres floor area, at ground level, separate from the house and have an independent heating system from the house.

For example, a modern open-plan style conservatory will require building regulations.

All glazing and any fixed electrical installation must comply with the relevant building regulations. This can be covered by an installer registered with the competent person scheme (such as Everest) then the work will automatically have approval.

Don’t forget you will also need approval from a local water authority for any drains or sewers within 3 metres of conservatory foundations.

At Everest, we have a specialist planning department that manages planning permission and building regulations for you to ensure that your new conservatory meets all requirements.

Conservative system of education in the context of Russian trends in the development of education Group of companies INFRA-M - Editorum

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3. Golubinsky F.A. Speculative psychology [Text] / F.A. Golubinsky. - M., 1897. - S. 33.

4. Decade of the Ministry of Public Education (1833-1843). Note presented to Emperor Nikolai Pavlovich by the Minister of Public Education, Count Uvarov [Text]. - St. Petersburg, 1864. - S. 3–4.

5. Kovaleva A.I. Socialization [Text] / A.I. Kovaleva // Encyclopedia of the Humanities. - 2004. - No. 1. - S. 139–143.

6. Menshikov M.O. Thoughts about happiness [Text] / M.O. Menshikov. - St. Petersburg, 1901. - S. 153-154.

7. Novikov A.M. Post-industrial education [Text] / A.M. Novikov. — M.: Egves, 2008.

8. Novikov A.M. I am a teacher [Text] / A.M. Novikov. — M.: Egves, 2011.

9. About strict and non-strict upbringing [Electronic resource]. — URL: http://fom.ru/Rabota-i-dom/10974

10. On the quality of education and the tasks of the school [Electronic resource]. — URL: http://fom. ru/Nauka-i-obrazovanie/11753

11. Omelchenko E. Subcultures, generations, solidarity? On the issue of conceptualization of new forms of communication in the youth environment [Text] / E. Omelchenko // XII International Scientific Conference on the Development of the Economy and Society. - M .: NRU HSE, 2012. - Book. 4. - S. 478-488.

12. Pustarnakov V.F. University philosophy in Russia. Ideas. Personalities. Main centers [Text] / V.F. Pustarnakov. - SPb., 2003. - S. 514.

13. Russians about spirituality [Electronic resource]. — URL: http://fom.ru/TSennosti/11589

14. Tikhomirov L.A. Chronicle of printing [Text] / L.A. Tikhomirov // Russian Review. - 1894. - T. 3. - S. 342.

15. Tikhomirov L.A. In memory of Yu.N. Chatter-Young Boy [Text] / L.A. Tikhomirov // In memory of Yu.N. Talker-Otrok. - M., 1896. - P. 10.

16. Tikhomirov L.A. Religious and philosophical foundations of history [Text] / L.A. Tikhomirov. - M. , 1997. - S. 25.

17. Ustryalov N.G. On the system of pragmatic Russian history [Text] / N.G. Ustryalov. - St. Petersburg, 1836. - S. 3.

18. Fisher A.A. On the course of education in Russia and on the participation that philosophy should take in it [Text] / A.A. Fisher // Journal of the Ministry of Public Education. - 1835. - Part 5. - S. 28–29.

19. Khomyakov D.A. Orthodoxy, autocracy, nationality [Text] / D.A. Khomyakov. - Minsk, 1997. - S. 184, 197, 202.

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21. Moiseeva О. The problem of the organization of education of today´s youth: current trends // Materials of the XII Annual International Conference of the Bulgarian Comparative Education Society (BCES). Sofia & Nessebar, Bulgaria 15-20 June 2014. Education’s Role in Preparing Globally Competent Citizens.

Are the raids on Donald Trump's estate related to the US elections?

The FBI raided the estate of former US President Donald Trump. According to the New York Times newspaper, some secret documents were seized from the safe in the office. Most likely, the FBI is interested in papers that Trump could have taken home from the White House before he left, the publication claims. If Trump is found guilty, then, according to US law, he will not be able to be re-elected president. Why Trump's house was searched and what they wanted to find there, Mir24.tv correspondent found out from political scientists.

“The internal division continues to grow in the USA. Against the backdrop of Biden's regularly falling rating in the United States, the persecution of the main political opponent of the incumbent president, Donald Trump, began. Not only is there growing dissatisfaction with the Biden administration among citizens, but also among elites. The governor of Florida called the United States a "banana republic" because of the searches at the Trump estate. The politician expressed dissatisfaction with the use of federal agencies against "opponents of the regime" and remembered Hunter Biden, with whom, in his words, "they are being treated with ceremony. " The lack of public consensus within American society will have long-term consequences both for the US itself and for the dehegemonization of the international system,” commented political scientist and head of the Center for Expert Support of Political Processes Aleksey Yaroshenko .

Joe Biden and his entourage are trying to reduce public support for Republicans and conservative ideas. Therefore, they are looking for dirt on the leader and a possible candidate for the presidency, says political scientist and candidate of historical sciences Grigory Mironov .

“The United States public urgently needs to be shown, for example, Trump's connection to Russia in order to further inflate the image of an external and internal enemy. After all, failures in Ukraine, Taiwan and other regions of the planet undermined the influence of Biden and his team. Therefore, now they need, for example, to find documents from Trump that indicate his high treason and ties with Moscow. And also prevent participation in the next elections, which will be held in 2024,” he said.

At the same time, the expert is inclined to believe that no secret documents could be found at the Trump estate.

“Now the rating of the Democratic Party is so low that they are ready to inflate any scandal in order to stay in power. Such low support for Democrats in the States has not been for a very long time. In addition, they need to break the Republican Party from the inside so that they do not have a bright and charismatic leader. Of course, Trump will not leave this situation just like that. After all, Biden has a lot more skeletons in his closet. Therefore, the ex-president of the United States will still pour out a huge amount of compromising evidence and secrets on the current president after this search, ”Mironov believes.

In turn, political strategist Nikita Dontsov notes that the incident with Trump will further reduce support for the Democrats in the upcoming elections.

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