Looking to add something special to your home? A modern orangery with less glass could be just what you need. It’s a bright, open space that combines the best bits of a conservatory and an extension. We’ve been building orangeries across the East Midlands for over 30 years, and we’ve seen how they can change how people live in their homes.
From cosy family rooms to stunning kitchen extensions, a modern orangery can give you the extra living space you’ve dreamed of.
What is an Orangery?
An orangery is a glass extension that uses more brickwork than a fully glazed structure conservatory but more glass than a traditional extension. Unlike older conservatories, modern orangeries are built to be used all year round, becoming an excellent living space for many homes. The mix of brick and glass creates a solid feel while letting in lots of natural light.
The History of the Orangery
Orangeries first popped up in the UK during the 17th century. Back then, wealthy homeowners built them to grow citrus trees and exotic plants. Over time, they became more about showing off than growing things, with aristocratic families using them as impressive sitting rooms. If you are considering adding a piece of this history to your home, choosing the best bespoke modern orangery installer near you involves researching companies with a strong reputation, reviewing customer testimonials, ensuring they offer bespoke design services, and checking their experience with both traditional and modern orangery styles. Visiting local showrooms and comparing quotes can also help you select the right professional to blend heritage and innovation seamlessly.
Today’s orangeries are a world away from these traditional orangeries. While they keep the elegant look with features like decorative cornices and lantern roofs, they’re more suited for modern family life. Proper insulation, high-quality glazing, and clever design mean they work just as well for a family dinner as they do for a home office.
The Benefits of a Modern Orangery
A Bright, Flexible, New Living Space
Unlike traditional extensions with solid roofs, orangeries flood your home with natural light through their windows and lantern roofs, as well as a glass roof. The high ceilings and large glass areas make orangeries feel spacious and airy.
Your new orangery can work as whatever type of room you need. Many homeowners use them as kitchen extensions, creating open-plan living spaces that work brilliantly for modern family life. Others turn them into home offices, using the natural light to create a bright workspace away from the main house. Other options could be a children’s playroom, dining room, or guest bedroom, making it an ideal retreat during the colder months.
Perfect for Any Time of Year
Contemporary orangeries with full height glazing aren’t just for summer. Thanks to our quality glazing and proper insulation, they stay comfortable whatever the weather. In summer, roof vents and doors can open to let in fresh air, while in winter, the insulated walls and high-performance glass keep the heat in. These modern materials help to alleviate common extension problems like the greenhouse effect, where glass extensions collect heat and become unusable on hot days.
For decorating a modern orangery, consider blending natural elements with sleek, minimalist furniture. Use neutral tones with pops of vibrant color through cushions or artwork, and incorporate plenty of greenery with potted plants or a living wall. Statement lighting, such as pendant lamps or modern lanterns, can highlight architectural features, while layered rugs and textured fabrics add warmth and comfort year-round.
We can add underfloor heating to make it a cosy place in winter, while clever ventilation systems help keep things cool in summer. The main difference is that solid roof areas help control temperature better than a fully glazed conservatory roof. Looking ahead to 2025, trends in modern orangery design are focusing on advanced energy efficiency, blending high-performance insulation with large glass panels that maximize natural light without sacrificing comfort. Sleek, minimalist aesthetics, sustainable materials, and the integration of smart home technology are also becoming increasingly popular, making orangeries adaptable and stylish throughout the year.
Connects Your Home and Garden
With its big windows, orangeries create a great connection between your house and garden. The flat roof, with a lantern design, lets in lots of natural light. You can choose from French doors to sliding patio doors or bifold doors that open entirely, making the garden feel like part of your living space and helping accessibility in good weather.
Energy Efficiency
The thermal efficiency levels you get with a modern orangery mean you can enjoy garden views and use it just like any other room in your house. Underfloor heating works particularly well in these spaces, giving you steady background warmth without radiators taking up wall space.
Orangery Design Features
Roof Options
The lantern roof is what makes an orangery special, creating a focal point and letting in natural light from above, placing warmth and light at the heart of your new orangery. We use UltraSky lantern roofs. The lantern sits at a 25-degree pitch, which we’ve found is perfect for bringing in light while keeping the room looking balanced.
What makes the UltraSky lantern unique is its strength. Because it’s so strong, it needs fewer bars than traditional lantern roofs, which means less frame and more glass, similar to the benefits offered by uPVC windows. Sitting underneath it, you get clear, uninterrupted views of the sky.
You can have your lantern roof in different sizes, up to 4 metres wide and nearly 6 metres long, giving you plenty of options for your space, including options with glass walls. We can finish it in white, black, or grey as standard, but if you want something different, we can match pretty much any colour you like.
Windows and Doors
The windows and doors you choose significantly affect how your orangery looks and feels. For doors, our Origin bifold system is popular in modern orangeries, the latest OB36+ has super-slim frames that let in tons of light. These can fold within themselves to open a whole wall to your garden. If you prefer something different, our sliding doors give you big glass panels without taking up space when open, while French doors add a more classic touch.
For windows, we offer double or triple glazing. You can choose from uPVC (great value and low maintenance), aluminium (slim and modern), or timber (perfect for period properties).
Materials and Finishes
Modern orangeries can be built in different materials to match your home. UPVC is excellent value and needs hardly any looking after. Aluminium gives you slim frames and a modern look – it’s strong enough to hold big glass panels without thick frames getting in the way. Our hardwood timber orangeries look fantastic for older houses and work well with traditional buildings, while stone walls create a strong and elegant aesthetic.
Finance Options
We know a new orangery is a big investment. That’s why we offer different ways to pay for your new space, including finance options that let you spread the cost. Our ultra installer works with Kandoo to provide flexible payment plans that can make your project more manageable. We’ll always be upfront about costs and help you understand all the options.
About Lifestyle Windows
We’re a family-run company based in Ilkeston, and we’ve been fitting windows, doors, and extensions since the early 1990s. Our installers are FENSA certified, and we’ve built orangeries of all sizes across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire, working with homeowners under the processing of personal data to create spaces that work for them.
Plus, we offer a lifetime warranty on all of our products.
Here is a great example of transforming a home with an orangery.
Ready to Add an Orangery to Your Home?
We have full-sized displays of our high quality orangeries and other extensions at our showroom. Here, you can view and use our products and talk to our friendly team. You can find this at The Old Forge, West St, Ilkeston, DE7 5JW.
For more information or to arrange a free, no-obligation quote, you can:
- Call us on 0800 783 6502
- Email us at contact@lifestylewindows.co.uk
- Use our online contact form
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular design features of a modern orangery extension?
The most popular features of a modern orangery include a flat roof with a central roof lantern, which floods the space with light. Other key elements are the extensive use of glazing through large windows and doors, and solid construction elements like brick pillars that provide a sense of permanence, alongside the industry-leading patented Stormshield protection system to ensure durability.
How much does a modern orangery extension cost in the UK?
The cost varies widely based on size, materials, and whether you choose a standard or bespoke orangery. A small, standard orangery might start from £20,000, while a large, bespoke kitchen extension of your home could exceed £70,000. Your available space and desired features will ultimately determine the final price.
Do I need planning permission for a modern orangery extension?
You may not need planning permission if your orangery with an orangery roof falls under Permitted Development rights. However, there are strict rules, and you must always comply with building regulations. It is essential to check with your local authority before starting, especially if your host building is listed or in a conservation area.