- 3 September 2026|
- News|
- Posted by Paul Davies
If you are searching for ideas for orangeries, you are probably picturing more than an extra room. You are picturing a space where you can enjoy your morning coffee, sit down for family dinners or get some work done in peace. That is the appeal of a well-designed orangery. It brings natural light and flexibility to your home, while giving you a space that can be designed around the way you live.
At The Little Orangery Company, we have been creating bespoke timber structures since 2015, designing spaces around each homeowner and their property. Every project starts with understanding how you want to use the space. From there, we can look at the layout, materials, glazing and architectural details to make sure your orangery feels like a natural part of your home.
How will you use your orangery?
An orangery extension can be designed around a wide range of uses within the home. The best layout depends on your household, your garden and how your main house is arranged.
A kitchen orangery for cooking and gathering
A kitchen extension into an orangery is a popular choice for homeowners who want more room for cooking, dining and entertaining. An open-plan layout can give you space for a kitchen island, dining table and comfortable seating, while a roof lantern helps bring natural light into the centre of the room.
A dining area with garden views
If your kitchen is already busy enough, a dedicated dining area can create a more relaxed space for meals and entertaining. Large windows and bi-fold doors can keep the garden in view throughout the day, while making it easy to move between the orangery and your outdoor space.
A living room and family space
An orangery can become a welcoming living room and flexible family space for relaxing, reading, watching television or simply enjoying views of the garden. Comfortable seating, natural materials and well-positioned glazing can help create a welcoming space that you can enjoy throughout the year.
Add personal touches through your interior design, from paint colours and rattan furniture to soft lighting, to create a comfortable space that works around family life.
A home office away from the noise
An orangery can also provide a dedicated home office, giving you somewhere quieter to work without feeling completely separate from the rest of the house. Clean lines, generous glazing and a considered layout can create a calm workspace with plenty of natural light, making it a pleasant place to start the working day.
Traditional and modern orangery styles
Choosing between a traditional orangery and something more contemporary often comes down to your existing architecture and personal taste rather than one style being more practical than the other.
Traditional orangery design
A traditional orangery design can draw on the architectural character of historic or period properties, with features such as decorative cornicing, elegant pilasters and carefully proportioned glazing bars. These details can complement Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian homes, helping the new space feel connected to the original house rather than simply added onto it.
Contemporary and modern orangeries
Modern orangeries take a simpler approach, with clean lines, larger glazed sections and a more minimalist aesthetic. Contemporary orangeries can work particularly well with modern homes, but a carefully considered design can also complement a period property that has already been extended or updated.
Timber gives you plenty of flexibility when it comes to proportions, finishes, windows and doors. Oak, Sapele, Idigbo and Accoya are among the hardwoods available, with a range of paint finishes and natural stains helping you create a design that suits your home.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best use for an orangery?
There is no single correct answer. A kitchen extension, dining area, garden room, living room, sitting room, home office or family living space can all work well. The important thing is to consider how you want to use the room before deciding on its size, layout, glazing and access.
How do you make an orangery feel integrated with the home?
Start with the architecture of your existing property. Matching proportions, materials, colours and details can help the orangery feel like a natural part of the house. The position of windows and doors also matters, particularly if you want to make the most of garden views and natural light. If you are planning an orangery in a conservation area, it is also worth checking whether there are additional planning considerations before your project begins.
Is an orangery suitable for use all year round?
Yes. High-performance double or triple glazing, insulated roof systems and options such as solar-control glass can help create a comfortable environment through changing seasons, including the colder months. Good energy efficiency can also make the room a practical part of your home rather than a space you only use during warmer weather.
How does an orangery differ from a conservatory?
A timber orangery typically combines solid brick or masonry walls with an insulated roof and one or more glazed roof lanterns. This creates the feel of a permanent room while still allowing plenty of natural light inside. A conservatory generally has a greater proportion of glazed walls and roof, creating a different balance between glazing, solid construction and insulation.
Both can provide useful additional space, but an orangery offers a more substantial architectural presence and can be designed to complement the existing character of your home.
Start planning your own orangery ideas
From a bright kitchen orangery to a peaceful garden room, the right layout comes down to understanding how you want to use the space and how it should sit alongside your home. Our design team can talk through layouts, materials, glazing and interior ideas suited to your property, drawing on years of experience creating bespoke timber structures.
If you are considering your own orangery project, get in touch with us here at The Little Orangery Company to discuss your ideas and arrange a design consultation. We can help you explore the possibilities and create a bespoke space designed around your home, your lifestyle and the way you want to use it.