If you can dream it, we can build it!
That’s what we like to tell our clients when beginning the design process for a bespoke orangery. However, with so many decisions to make, what should be an exciting process can quickly become overwhelming.
While it’s easy to imagine yourself enjoying life with an orangery extension, it can be difficult to understand how to balance your wants and needs from a design perspective. While our expert design team is here to support you throughout the process and can advise on the best solutions, features, and choices to suit your preferences, it’s helpful if you can start the process with somewhat of an understanding of what your ideal orangery looks like.
We’ve put together some orangery examples highlighting key design decisions you may need to make during the design process. While this list is not exhaustive, it should help you narrow down your needs, wants, and preferences, creating a better vision of your dream orangery extension.
Standalone room vs open plan
How would you like to extend onto your home? Some homeowners choose to create an enclosed orangery that is separated from the main building with an internal wall and door, whereas others opt for an open-plan design, actively expanding the space within a current room of the home. What you choose may depend on a range of factors, such as the current layout of your home, where the extension will join onto the property, and the desired purpose of the extension.
We commonly see open-plan designs used when expanding onto the existing kitchen space, creating an all-in-one kitchen diner and/or living space (as seen in the above right-hand orangery example). On the other hand, many homeowners design their orangery as an enclosed space when the desired result is a dedicated dining room, living space, sunroom or just an idyllic haven of peace and quiet.
Single vs double roof lantern
A roof lantern is the distinguishing feature of an orangery, but there are no rules when it comes to the number of roof lanterns you include in your design. Smaller orangeries may only have space for one lantern, but larger orangeries can benefit from multiple lanterns, helping to distribute natural light evenly across the space. That being said, larger orangeries can also be designed with one large-scale lantern.
From an aesthetic perspective, opting for two (or more!) lanterns can add symmetry, resulting in a more classical feel with enhanced visual interest. One large lantern can create a bold, contemporary look and a grand focal point. While there may be practical arguments for the ideal number of lanterns, style and preference can often take precedence for this decision.
Bi-fold vs French doors
The beauty of an orangery extension is the direct connection between the indoors and the out. While the abundance of glazing gives panoramic views of the garden space, the doors are what really open up the home to the natural world outside.
Bi-folding doors can span up to 7m (sometimes more), allowing you to open an entire side of the orangery up to the outdoors. This creates a sense of seamless indoor-outdoor living, perfect for entertaining. The main consideration with bi-fold doors is the interior space required to fold them back and open up fully.
French doors are much more limited in size, being around 1.5 – 2m per pair, but can be opened fully without needing any additional stacking space like their bi-folding counterparts. French doors are a more traditional choice, giving a sophisticated, elegant appearance. When space allows, we commonly see homeowners opt for two or more sets of French doors to optimise airflow and outdoor access.
Raised vs flush
Whether the extension will be raised or flush to the ground is a design consideration often overlooked by homeowners. This decision will mostly boil down to personal preference, however, the space you have around the exterior of the orangery may also influence your choice. It’s important to bear in mind the total height of your orangery too, as designs with particularly tall peaks may interfere with first-storey windows if raised even higher.
As seen in the orangery examples above, the flush orangery (right image) coupled with large bi-folding doors creates a direct connection to the outdoor space, whereas the raised orangery is separated from the garden by stairs, adding grandeur to the space and visual interest to the exterior of the build. Both options will have their own benefits and drawbacks depending on the unique circumstances of your orangery project.
Straight vs curved window detailing
Another often overlooked detail is the orangery’s fenestration, which refers to the style and layout of windows. While it’s understood that an orangery utilises an abundance of glazing, many homeowners underestimate the flexibility in window detailing that comes with a bespoke orangery. The above orangery examples display two popular window styles: straight and curved.
Again, this is often down to personal preference. Some homeowners desire an orangery that is designed sympathetically to their existing property, whereas others aim to create a structure that stands out as a focal point. Building an orangery for a listed building requires planning permission, and these planning constraints may require the design to adhere to the existing architecture, which may, in turn, call for a specific style of window.
The team at Hampton has a wealth of experience in recreating traditional window design where a sympathetic result is desired.
Gable vs clerestory
Gables and clerestories are two traditional design features seen in the earliest orangery designs. While we now use modern building techniques and build orangeries for many modern properties, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to desire a traditional orangery style.
In the above orangery examples, the gable (left image) is the triangular section at the end of the pitched roof. It’s common to incorporate glazing, often with intricate patterns. In the right image, the clerestory is the angular raised area of glazing, sitting atop the main roof lantern.
Neither a gable nor clerestory are required elements of orangery design, but both offer a unique finish to the build, adding extra flair to the structure and elevating the overall design. Adding a gable or clerestory can also help an orangery harmonise with an older-style or listed host property.
Cornices and corbel entablature
Entablature refers to the upper part of a building, traditionally supported by columns. While this is a traditional orangery design feature, entablature also has the practical benefit of concealing unsightly elements like guttering, rafters, and roof joints, creating a seamless finish.
A cornice is the uppermost part of the entablature – providing a cap for the very top of the building. In the left-hand example above, the homeowner has chosen a simple and classical design to add a sense of proportion with an elegant finish.
Corbel entablature (shown in the right-hand orangery example above) gives the appearance of the cornice being supported by decorative brackets. Corbels were a common feature in traditional orangery design, adding visual interest to the upper exterior of the build.
More orangery examples
There are plenty of other considerations that go into curating the perfect orangery design for your needs. Get inspired by browsing our brochure, or get in touch with our friendly team who will be happy to assist with any questions or queries you may have.
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