The lockdown has certainly been hard on the housing market, but it has had many people reconsidering their spaces at home, and bringing a fresh appreciation for their outdoor spaces and daylight.

And now orangeries are becoming more popular than conservatories, as people are wanting a better connection to nature, such as this home in Liverpool with a functioning orangery with real oranges. What better connection to nature is there than having your own private Kew Gardens?

Orangeries are an ideal way of creating extra space in the home, largely because they are more substantial than a conservatory, and with the addition of underfloor heating, they can be used all year round.

There is also a sense of grandeur that comes from the history of the orangery. Originally, they were built between the 17th and 19th centuries for growing and housing orange, lemon, and other citrus fruit-bearing plants and trees during the colder winters in Italy.

The idea was snapped up by British aristocrats after they saw them, who brought the concept back to Britain. There is a lot of importance placed on modern orangeries to have an authentic appearance.

There are some distinct differences between a conservatory and an orangery, even though they can be used for the same purpose.

A conservatory typically has over 75 per cent of its roof glazed, whereas an orangery will have less glass and a shallow roof pitch.

If you have been considering having your own orangery built, how do you go about finding the right company to get it done right, and not a ‘cowboy’ builder capitalising on the current trend and constructing poor quality conservatories and orangeries?

Always check the builder’s previous work and references, and ask to see photos of his previous jobs. Check that everything looks in proportion, that the finished construction works with the house, and that the doors open wide enough for the house to flow into the garden.

Always make sure that your contractors use the best of modern building materials, and certainly not PVC. Sustainable timber from a certified source will have a guaranteed life span.

Double glazing will help keep the orangery warm during the winter, and also help reduce your carbon footprint and your utility bills.

It provides you with a space to work-from-home, surrounded by daylight, as well as a room to retreat from it all and find your connection with nature. Orangeries let in plenty of sunlight, which has always made them an ideal choice for painters and artists.

Orangeries aren’t just great ideas for the home, they are popular with commercial properties too. There are many types of commercial use, but pubs and restaurants have been making good use of orangeries for dining areas, such as the Orangery Kensington Palace, or the Versailles which is the Largest Orangery in Europe.

Some companies operate their businesses from Orangery structures for a variety of reasons from lighting to brand image.

If you are looking for a company to build your traditional orangery, then get in touch with Foxfurd today!