Conservatories are hugely popular at this time of year. They’re a great place to entertain friends, spend time with family, or simply relax. If you’re considering adding a conservatory to your home, it’s a good idea to do your research first. Depending on how you plan to use the space, you may need a specific size, shape, or design. Here’s a quick guide to five popular conservatory styles, to get you started…
Victorian
The Victorian conservatory is one of the most popular styles on the market. Many people choose this particular design because it works so well with almost any style of home.
Traditional Victorian conservatories have two straight sides, with a curved, bay front. The roof is usually steeper than other styles and often features a decorative crest. Although this design can be built to fit your home, most are constructed with either three or five facets.
Like the roof, the windows are quite decorative and often inspired by Gothic architecture. If you’re looking for a ‘tried and tested’ design, the Victorian is a great choice.
Georgian
Unlike the Victorian style, Georgian conservatories have a square or rectangular frontage. They often have high sloping roofs and a rectangular footprint. This symmetrical design makes it easy to plan your space both inside and out. There are no awkward corners or nooks and crannies to fill. Equally, patios or lawns can be easily shaped around the outer edges.
Georgian conservatories have quite a grand, striking aesthetic. They work best on period homes, or modern buildings with strong architectural features.
Edwardian
The Edwardian conservatory is similar to the Georgian, due to its rectangular footprint. Again, this makes for easy interior design. The visual style is also similar – although the features are less intricate and ornate.
Instead, Edwardian conservatories are bolder and more angular. They’re uncomplicated yet elegant. The simplicity of the Edwardian design makes it timeless, meaning it’s great for both period and modern homes. In addition to three glass walls, some are also built with a four-sided roof. This maximises the amount of sunlight captured during the day.
Lean-to
Lean-to conservatories are also a rectangular shape. Sometimes called ‘Mediterranean sunrooms’, these are a great choice if you prefer modern architecture.
However, unlike the more traditional designs, they have a simple, modern appearance. They usually have very little in the way of frills and decoration. Instead, they’re made up of straight lines and clean angles. The glass roof slopes down from the outer wall of your home, to the front wall of the conservatory. The angle of this incline can vary considerably, depending on the dimensions of your space.
P-shaped
This conservatory is so-called because the shape looks like a capital ‘P’ from above. This often means combining the Victorian style with one of the other, rectangular designs. This unique shape means the space can easily be divided up for dual-purposes.
For example, the rectangular area could be a dining room, whilst the round section acts as a playroom. Another option would be a home office in one half of the conservatory, with a relaxation space next door. The two-part structure means these conservatories are great for larger properties. If you have the space available, P-shaped could be the perfect style for you.
We hope this article has been helpful. For more inspiration, visit our conservatories gallery here.
(Photo by Heidi G)