If you are planning to extend your home in the UK, you have probably seen the terms “orangery” and “conservatory” everywhere. Understanding what an orangery actually is – and whether it is right for you – will help you choose the best type of glazed extension for your property.​

What Is An Orangery?

An orangery is a type of glazed extension that sits between a conservatory and a full brick extension. Typically, a UK orangery features:

• Solid brick or stone walls with large windows
• A flat or low‑pitch roof perimeter
• One or more central roof lanterns for extra light
• Wide doors to the garden, often bi‑fold, French or sliding designs​

This combination gives you more structure and insulation than a traditional conservatory, but more natural light and glass than a standard extension.

Orangery vs Conservatory vs Extension

A Conservatory usually has a fully glazed roof and a higher proportion of glass walls, which can feel very bright but may need careful specification to avoid overheating. A traditional single‑storey extension will have a solid tiled or slate roof and smaller window openings, creating a more enclosed, room‑like feel.​

The orangery blends both ideas, offering conservatory‑style daylight with extension‑like solidity and thermal performance. For many UK homes, this makes an orangery extension ideal for open‑plan kitchens, dining areas and family rooms.​

How Can You Use An Orangery?

Modern orangeries are incredibly flexible. Popular uses include:

• Kitchen orangery extensions for open‑plan cooking and dining
• Garden‑view living rooms or family snug spaces
• Hybrid orangery‑conservatory lounges with year‑round comfort
• Home offices with plenty of natural light

Because an orangery is designed as a true “room within the house”, it works all year, unlike older conservatories that were often too hot in summer and cold in winter.​

Key Benefits Of Adding An Orangery

Adding a bespoke orangery extension can bring several benefits:

• More natural light and better views of the garden
• Additional usable floor space without moving house
• A more modern, open‑plan layout on the ground floor
• Potential uplift in property value when well designed and built​

With a specialist like Farrow Jones, you can create a luxury orangery tailored to your architecture, from period properties to contemporary homes (see examples at farrowjones.com).

Is An Orangery Right For Your Home?

An orangery is a strong choice if:

• You want a bright, social hub such as a kitchen‑diner
• Your garden aspect is attractive and you want to enjoy it
• You prefer a substantial build that feels like part of the house
• You are looking for something more premium than a standard conservatory

In contrast, if you require lots of solid wall space for storage or prefer a darker, more enclosed room, a full extension may be better.​

When To Speak To An Orangery Specialist

The best way to decide is to have a design consultation. A UK Orangery specialist can assess your property, suggest layouts and explain planning implications. From there, you can compare an orangery with a conservatory or extension and choose the option that delivers the most value for your lifestyle and budget.​

For tailored orangery advice and design ideas, contact Farrow Jones via farrowjones.com and explore what a bespoke orangery could do for your home.