11 Letting the outside in

Conservatory, garden room, or summerhouse, there are many options for adding sunny spaces to your home

Some great ideas to keep nature close to the home.

Here’s our guide to which is which and how to choose what will work best for you and your family.

CONSERVATORY

This is a space to enjoy the sunshine all year round. It always features a fully glazed roof with the aim of bringing the maximum amount of light and heat into the room. Many people choose to create a conservatory to use as an extra dining space, living area or somewhere to grow tropical plants. Keeping the temperature right in a conservatory can be a challenge – north facing rooms can be cold whereas south facing glass extensions can get too hot on sunny days. If you opt for a conservatory, think carefully about where it will be sited and adding insulation and blinds at the build stage to help control the heat.

GARDEN ROOM

This type of extension usually features a tiled roof to complement the style of the existing property. Garden rooms often have vaulted ceilings and can include roof glazing. The sides will be brick built, but feature lots of glass with glass gables or large glass doors a common feature. This type of room can be a more usable space and is a popular choice for extending kitchen/dining rooms or creating a playroom.

OUTDOOR BUILDING

If you are lucky enough to have a spacious garden, why not make the most of it by adding a garden building. From summerhouses to office spaces, art studios and man-sheds, these rooms have transformed in the style stakes in recent years. Summerhouses and outdoor buildings can be bought off-the-shelf or built to your requirements. Things to think about might be where in the garden you should put the room in terms of easy access to power or water supplies if required, along with the best spot to make the most of the evening sun. A summerhouse can be the perfect spot to enjoy the long Scottish evenings with a little bit of protection from any chilly breeze, and many people who work from home choose to erect a garden building as an easy way to separate work from home life.

ORANGERY

Traditionally a room or building added to grand houses to grow and protect orange and other fruit trees, an orangery is effectively a very large greenhouse or conservatory. The modern interpretation is another popular choice for homeowners who want to extend their kitchen. It will usually feature a flat roof with a central roof lantern flooding natural light to the room below, bi-fold doors are a popular choice, especially when adding an orangery to a newer home.

From top, clockwise: A large conservatory featuring a glass chandelier, dining table and chairs; blinds can help keep conservatories cool; summerhouses really pop in bright colours.