SMART CHOICE

An elegant orangery from Everest made from low-maintenance UPVC adds an extra room for dining and entertaining to this house. It has a traditional lantern roof and full-height windows that maximise the light, plus French doors that lead to the terrace and garden beyond. After dark, downlights in the interior perimeter ceiling make it a welcoming space. This project cost £43,000, but each design is bespoke, so prices vary.

OPENING OUT

Using extensive glazing will blur the boundary between outside and in, but you may want to go further in merging the interior of your home with the exterior. This can be achieved by incorporating bi-folding or sliding doors into the design, creating a wide opening. Even more dramatic is an opening corner created by two sets of doors that meet, allowing two sides of the room to be opened up to the garden instantly in good weather conditions.

GARDEN WORK

With a highly glazed extension, you’ll get far more of a view of your garden than you’ve ever had before. If your outdoor space needs some TLC so the outlook from your new addition isn’t disappointing, don’t forget to factor this into your budget. You might also want to plan an improved garden lighting scheme to enjoy your outside space when you’re using the glazed addition after dark. And while you don’t want to block views, planting can provide privacy if your extension is overlooked, as well as natural shade for the new room.

FADE AWAY

UV light can damage fabrics and materials, reducing their life span and changing their colour. Special glass coatings can greatly lessen the effect of the sun on the new room, and therefore allow you to use the furniture and soft furnishings you prefer in a glazed extension or conservatory rather than what’s thought of as classic conservatory furniture. Alternatively, you could opt for designs that are made for outdoor use and are therefore more resistant to fading than indoor upholstery.