Orangeries have long been a coveted feature of opulent estates, but you don’t have to own an extravagant palace to indulge in one. Once used primarily for growing oranges (as the name implies), modern-day orangeries have evolved into sunlight-filled, multifunctional living spaces. They can serve as a sitting area for reading and sipping tea, a dining haven for entertaining, or even a full-blown kitchen extension.
Before you go all in on an orangery—whether you’re a current homeowner wanting to expand or are planning to build from the ground up—there’s much to consider. So we’ve laid out everything you need to know about orangeries to guide your decision. Learn the difference between an orangery and its cousins (like conservatories and garden rooms), gather orangery design ideas, and get a rundown on essential details like cost. Soon enough, you’ll be basking in everything an orangery has to offer—and possibly thanking yourself later for the value it adds to your property, should it come time to sell.
What Is an Orangery?
Historically, an orangery is a garden building akin to a greenhouse that’s mainly designed to house orange trees or other exotic shrubs. According to Britannica, “the earliest orangeries were practical buildings that could be completely covered by planks and sacking and heated in the cold season by stoves; such buildings existed in Great Britain and France as early as the second half of the 16th century.”
The golden age of orangeries prevailed from the latter half of the 17th century to the early 18th century, when they became a lavish architectural garden feature on sprawling estates across Europe. “Orangeries first had glazing on their roofs in the early 1900s,” James Upton, managing director of Westbury Garden Rooms, tells House Beautiful. “The arrival of pineapples from South America and grapes from the Mediterranean led to the invention of pitched glazed roofs to maximize the light and heat that these plants needed to thrive.”
Many famous orangeries still stand today, including those of Versailles in France and Kew House in London. Others have appeared in or been attached to grand estates featured in films and TV shows including Irish Wish, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, and Vanderpump Villa.
Today, many orangeries still have the traditional design elements, but they’ve mostly become an extended living space for homeowners. “Modern orangeries generally comprise a solid base with supporting columns extending up to a flat roof, which houses a glazed roof lantern,” according to the Westbury Garden Rooms website. “Typically, French doors (or bifold sliding doors) allow access to the surrounding garden or patio area.”
What’s the Difference Between an Orangery and a Conservatory?
Usually positioned at the rear of the house, an orangery differs from a conservatory in that a conservatory is “characterized by a fully glazed roof and usually a higher proportion of glass in its overall construction,” according to David Salisbury, a design and manufacturing company that specializes in bespoke orangeries, conservatories, and oak-framed extensions.
While an orangery is technically a type of garden room, the major difference is the roof. Garden rooms often have a traditional solid roof that’s tiled. Orangeries typically have glazed roof lanterns, but the design is flexible since they don’t have to be rectangular. “At Westbury, we have designed a variety of shapes and scales of roof lanterns,” Upton says. (A roof lantern is basically the same thing as a cupola; it lets in natural light and can ventilate the space below.) “This is sometimes personal preference but is mostly dictated by the architecture of the existing property and the relationship between the old and new.”
The Benefits of an Orangery
Anyone eager to extend their home’s footprint with a sunlit oasis should consider an orangery. Since the house extension connects to a backyard, garden, or patio and is made up of large windows, it creates the feeling of being outside, not to mention that you can easily swing open the doors to let in a cool breeze or slip out to embrace a perfect summer day. “Modern health studies have shown the benefits of natural light and air circulation in the home, leading to a greater desire for the features which help achieve this,” Upton says.
With the right materials, like triple-glazed glass and solar-control coatings, orangeries can also be enjoyed year-round.
The coveted feature also has the potential to increase the value of a home.
Orangery Design Ideas
As part of a home’s living space, an orangery can practically be made into anything you want. Since it allows a lot of natural light to flow in, an orangery is ideal for creating a sunroom-esque lounge space for reading and relaxing. As a dining room, it provides a setting for meals and entertaining that feels connected to nature. Some orangeries even act as kitchen extensions, where homeowners can take advantage of garden views while cooking. Whether you turn an orangery into a tea room fit for a queen, a dreamy home office, or a poolside escape, orangeries have a wide range of uses. You can even turn one into a TV or game room should you want to forgo the skylight effect. “Roof lanterns are mostly glazed but can be solid boarded to achieve a greater internal ceiling height without the additional light,” Upton explains.
Get Inspired by These Orangeries
How to Build an Orangery
Generally, an orangery can be added onto most existing homes, but it depends on the type of building. Listed historic properties or buildings in conservation areas may require planning permission. If you’re eager to start building an orangery, consider hiring a design and manufacturing company that specializes in them to guide you through the process. Doing so can also help ensure quality materials are used to build the structure. This way, it’ll be durable for your use and help with a potential property value increase in the future.
Determine Its Purpose
As you plan an orangery, you should first decide how you want to use the room. This will help determine the scale and positions of the doors and windows. “Multiple sets of doors are often requested, but this may mean useable space is lost for sofas and furniture,” Upton says. “The layout should enhance the existing living space and take into account any vistas the owners want to take advantage of. The existing property may often dictate this.”
Choose the Right Materials
If you want to enhance your views, walls with substantial glazed windows and doors are the way to go. “Masonry walls can give a more homey feel and opportunity for furniture or artwork,” Upton notes.
Design With the View in Mind
When designing the interiors, Upton recommends building interest at every level with “tall plants, artwork, and bookcases, so the visual interest extends beyond sofa level.” He adds, “Consideration should be given to the whole room, and items should not be chosen unless considered in the wider context.”
Use Lighting Wisely
Natural and artificial lighting for different heights, functions, moods, and zones is also crucial. “Natural light can cast beautiful shadows and bring ambiance to a space, but this will only be present for part of the day,” Uptons says. “For a low ambient light in the evening, consider uplighting plants from the floor level and hanging pendants from the roof lantern.”
Consider Radiant Heat Flooring
Another hot tip: Install heated floors. That’ll make the space extra cozy during the winter months. If you do so, Upton says to avoid heavy sofas and rugs that will compromise the effectiveness of the flooring feature.
How Much Does an Orangery Cost?
When it comes to the cost, many factors are at play, including the size of the orangery and what you plan to turn it into. At Westbury, orangeries range from £50,000 (roughly $63,000) for a small, basic design and go up to around £250,000 ($317,000). Most Westbury designs average £100,000 ($126,000). In any case, an orangery is an investment. When done right, the luxury can truly elevate the way you live.
