An orangery makes the perfect extension of your home. Orangeries have one important characteristic that sets them apart from conservatories or glass extensions: they have glass roofs, but the walls are more solid, at least 50 per cent brick or column. This makes orangeries look and feel more like natural extensions of an existing home rather than an addition.

An orangery is the perfect addition to a period home and the perfect structure for creating a formal dining room, extra sitting room, or starting an indoor garden. If you want to know more about conservatory costs or be inspired by conservatory ideas, we have everything you need in this guide. 

For more practical information, design and planning tips, see our essential guide to extending a house.

WHAT IS AN ORANGERY?

Introduced into the UK from Italy in the 17th century, orangeries reached their height in popularity during the 18th century. Embodying classical principles of symmetry and scale, they were built for the wealthy to house exotic plants such as citrus fruits, rather than as a sitting room.

Find out more about indoor gardening in our guide. 

Today, the orangery is often used as a template 
for glazed extensions. Orangery designs tend to be semi-solid with a greater level of brickwork or stone, to match the house, and includes floor-
to-ceiling windows and a lantern roof, as well 
as details such as columns, pediments and fine 
glazing bars.

Orangeries are not only suitable for Georgian homes but properties where balance, symmetry and scale are in evidence.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ORANGERY AND CONSERVATORY?

Typically more substantial in its proportions than a conservatory, with, at the very least, a partially solid roof with more brickwork and full-height brick pillars, an orangery extension will still give you wonderful views over your garden. 

A conservatory continues to be seen as more of a garden room, with large amounts of glass, and is often separated from the rest of the house by external-grade doors – although contemporary constructions are thermally efficient enough to be open to the rest of the house, just as glazed extensions would be.

Orangeries, whether traditional or contemporary in style, have all the advantages of a conservatory – tons of daylight and views over the garden – but, from the inside, feel more like a natural continuation of the architecture of the original house as brick walls will let you consider different colours and finishes. So, unlike conservatories, they are far more versatile in style but don't usually cost as much as a single-storey extension (depending on the design).

Classic orangeries will be complete with brick piers, a centralised glass roof pitch, traditional cornice, internal pelmet for insulation and will more likely be made bespoke, if for a period property. While modern orangeries will see more decorative cornice and roof structure, modern insulation or heating and will be finished with more slender frames, and other contemporary finishes such as wide sliding doors. 

HOW MUCH WILL AN ORANGERY COST?

On that note, how much an orangery costs depends on your desired outcome. Orangery costs depend on the complexity of the design and materials used but, as a general rule, conservatories cost from £10,000 upwards, while the average orangery cost starts around £20,000. It's worth noting that you can find orangeries that cost around £10,000 but the materials used may be more basic.  

Expect to pay an average of £40,000 for an orangery. This is because the construction work is more substantial than that of a conservatory and the labour required to complete an orangery design is similar to that required of a single storey extension. As with any home improvement project, you could spend even more than this depending on the size, materials used and the complexity of the design. 

For a particularly large orangery, something high-spec, or an orangery with a kitchen or bathroom, you could pay upwards of £70,000

DOES AN ORANGERY ADD VALUE?

Orangeries can add more value to your home, and plenty of kerb appeal so when comparing costs of a conservatory, or a single-storey extension, an orangery lies somewhere in the middle and could improve both your family life as well as your home's saleability quite tremendously. 

PLANNING AN ORANGERY

It might be that you hire a specialist orangery company, who can help you with all the planning aspects of the job – or that the architect or builder is able to advise. However, it's always worth knowing the basics to ensure your project is progressing along the right lines. Use these planning know-how tips below to get it right.

DOES AN ORANGERY NEED PLANNING PERMISSION?

Planning permission is not usually required for an orangery, and can be considered as permitted development provided:

• They cover no more than half the area of land around the original house;
• Are no higher than the highest part of the roof;
• Don’t extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than four metres for an attached house or six for a detached.

DOES AN ORANGERY NEED TO COMPLY WITH BUILDING REGULATIONS?

Part L1B of building regulations states a limit to the total glazing in a property to 25 per cent of the floor area. However, if you can demonstrate compliance with thermal requirements using any amount of glazing, the building will be regulations compliant. A structure that is closed off from the rest of the house with external grade doors is exempt from building regulations in most circumstances.

To be on the safe side, always involve the building control department in your plans early on. A professional orangery specialist can help you with this.

WHAT IF YOU LIVE IN A CONSERVATION AREA OR LISTED BUILDING?

Within designated areas – including conservation areas – you may need to apply for planning permission for your orangery even though you wouldn’t have this obligation elsewhere. Local authorities can also remove some permitted development rights with Article 4 directions. 

If your home is listed you 
will need to apply for listed building consent.

If planning permission is needed, it is more likely to be granted on structures at the rear of a house. Many planners are now particularly receptive to contemporary frameless additions that offer a distinct separation between old and new.

As with all additions, success relies on a sympathetic reflection of the main property, in terms of scale, architecture and proportion.

For more information, visit the Planning Portal and contact your local authority to check the specific details of your project before you start work.

ORANGERY IDEAS

Orangery additions to older homes must be sympathetic to the house’s period and architecture, meaning a bespoke design is always going to be the preferred option. Use these orangery ideas and tips below to get it right for your home.

1. MATCH THE ORANGERY'S MATERIALS TO THE ORIGINAL HOUSE

Even if you choose an off-the-peg design, you can get a successful finish by ensuring the design is in proportion with the existing property and pay close attention to details, such as the roof pitch, bargeboards, finials, windows and colours. Matching new brickwork as closely as possible to that of the original house will help your orangery blend seamlessly, will choosing window frame styles and paint finishes that complement those of your existing home.

2. BUILD AN ORANGERY THAT'S A YEAR-ROUND SPACE

First, you need to ensure that the flow between your existing home and the new extension feels natural. This means defining the orangery’s purpose early on; its use can then dictate the room’s shape, proportions and size, how much solid wall space is needed – and how and where it’s accessed from the original house. Ideally, floor levels from the existing building into the new orangery – or conservatory – should match, too.

Orangeries tend to be constructed with a greater proportion of wall elements and partially-glazed roofs, the advantage of these design elements being that it is easier to place furnishings, such as kitchen cabinets, within the orangery itself.

3. CHOOSE THE BEST DOORS FOR YOUR ORANGERY

Perhaps the main attraction of an orangery is 
the connection it creates with the garden. Most period-style additions will open out to the garden through French doors, but bi-fold doors are popular for more contemporary orangeries as they can stack to the side to allow for a wider opening.

Consider whether the conservatory will step down to the garden or be 
on a more level threshold, with direct access to decking or a patio area. If the latter, mirror the flooring inside and out for a greater flow. 

4. MAKE THE MOST OF LIGHT AND GARDEN

Maximising daylight and views over the garden is also vital, so whether you’re planning a contemporary or traditional-style orangery, consider slim sightlines for the majority of your glazing (more on that below). For traditional-style orangeries, French doors – perhaps on more than one side of the room – will fit stylistically; for more contemporary structures, consider folding doors that will open the room right out to the garden. In both cases, flush thresholds will make the transition from the house to the garden seamless, helping you create the perfect indoor outdoor room. 

5. EMPLOY AN ARCHITECT

If your orangery is part of bigger renovation project, a conversion, or self-build, it is advisable to find an architect that has some experience designing properties that incorporate orangeries in your area. They should be able to advise on what the local planning office is likely to allow and help with any planning applications.

6. CHOOSE THE RIGHT FRAMING FOR YOUR ORANGERY

The latest frame solutions for orangery doors and windows include much narrower timber, aluminium, composite and uPVC frames, which allow for more glass and better views of the outside, and can include bi-fold or sliding styles. But which material is best?