Conservatories in 2024 are stylish additions to a home, helping to flood a house with light, bring the garden indoors, and create a larger family space.
However, they have changed significantly over the years, having first been introduced in the UK in the 17th Century.
Read on to find out a brief history of conservatory design in Britain.
Orangeries for the wealthy
Conservatories were originally designed as separate structures to help grow plants that would not survive the British climate.
They were only for wealthy Brits who wanted to enjoy the taste of citrus fruits despite not being able to grow them in their gardens due to the inclement weather.
The orangeries, as they became known, were made of stone and glass, which helped to trap in heat and attract sunlight so the fruit had a better chance of survival.
Homes for exotic plants
By the Victorian period, their purpose had evolved, as upper classes used their orangeries not only to grow exotic fruit but also tropical plants. Conservatory roofs and walls began to be made entirely out of glass to help these foreign species get as much sunlight as possible.
They were regarded as an important status symbol, and guests were shown around the conservatory to marvel at the exciting flowers that were thriving despite being from the other side of the world.
One of the most famous conservatories built during this period has to be Kew Gardens’ Palm House. Originally built in 1844, the reconstructed building contained 16,000 panes of toughened glass.
It houses many endangered species of plants from all over the world, thanks to its humidity of above 75 per cent. There are now 50,000 types of flora in Kew Gardens, including the oldest potted plant in the world, which has been there since 1775.
Domestic houses
While the Palm House might be the most famous conservatory, it is certainly not a typical one.
During the 20th Century, orangeries began to be built attached to people’s homes, as the appeal for glass rooms grew.
Although their popularity waned during the World Wars, interest in them took off again from the ‘50s. This time, thanks to developments in the steel industry, the metal was used to frame the glass.
Consequently, this made traditional conservatories a lot cheaper, so were no longer only for the wealthy.
Indeed, many people now own a house with an orangery attached, allowing them to enjoy views of their garden even when the weather isn’t the best. Although they are not usually used for growing citrus fruit, many homeowners like having lots of greenery in their conservatory, helping them to feel closer to nature.
What’s in store for 2024?
Next year, the popularity of conservatories is set to continue. Not only are they a place to enjoy the outdoors in the comfort of your house, but during a time when the housing market is unstable, they are helping homeowners bridge the gap before buying a bigger property.
Over the last year, house prices have fallen by one per cent and it remains to be seen whether they will continue to decline in 2024. At the same time, mortgage rates are very high and lending criteria tight.
Therefore, homeowners who would have wanted to climb the property ladder are more likely to stay put until the property market levels out, and extend their house instead by installing a modern conservatory.