Have conservatories had their day? Experts reveal the modern alternatives that are worth considering

There was a time, as far back as the 17th century even, when conservatories were seen as the height of sophistication, a status symbol even, signifying wealth and good taste. Designed to protect plants, gathered from travels afar, they were beloved by nobility and a staple of stately homes.

However, over the years, things changed and, certainly by the 1980s and 1990s, the conservatories being stuck onto the back of houses were nothing like the elegant wrought iron and timber glazed structures that went before. These were often cheaply constructed, made of poor-quality uPVC and with either polycarbonate roofs or glazing that wasn't properly sealed or designed, leading to a slew of issues, such as draughts, leaks, condensation and, of course, overheating. Add to that the fact that little thought was often given to how to add a conservatory that actually suited the houses they were being attached to and you can see how questions started to be asked about how appealing these structures actually are.

All that said, not all conservatories were designed this way – there are some shining examples out there of how, when designed well, they can provide stylish sunny spots from which to enjoy the garden. So, whether you have inherited a dodgy relic and are wondering what to do with it, or are currently considering adding one, I asked the experts to share their thoughts on whether or not the conservatory is still a worthwhile addition.

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Are conservatories seen as old fashioned these days?

Clearly conservatories of a certain era have not aged particularly well, but should the concept of this glazed add-on be thrown out altogether? Opinions differ a little here.

'Conservatories are definitely starting to feel outdated. The main issue is that their traditional construction doesn’t really allow for year-round use,' picks up Gabrielle Allen, director of operations at InFrame Garden Rooms. 'With so much glass, they can get unbearably hot in summer and too cold to use in winter and installing air conditioning is often tricky.'

'The word 'conservatory' has quietly fallen from favour – and not without reason,' points out interior designer Lindi Reynolds, founding creative director at Lindi Reynolds & Co. 'For decades, the British home improvement market sold the dream of extra space through a proliferation of plastic-framed, poorly insulated structures bolted onto the backs of houses with little regard for architecture, longevity, or elegance. Convenient, perhaps. Timeless? Far from it. In today's market, a poorly conceived conservatory addition may actually deter a sale rather than enhance one.'

Michael Arrowsmith, manager at Etheridge Windows, agrees somewhat that conservatories can appear a little passé these days, although is keen to point out that this generally only applies to those of a certain age.

'I wouldn’t say conservatories have completely had their day, but the traditional versions people remember from the 1980s and 1990s are definitely less popular now,' says Michael. 'A lot of those older builds struggle with temperature (keeping a conservatory cool in summer and warm in winter) and that’s definitely made people rethink them.'

Gabrielle Allen

Gabrielle leads all things content, creative, and customer-facing at InFrame Garden Rooms. As a founding partner in the family business, Gabrielle works closely with her husband Stuart and the wider team to showcase InFrame’s high-end garden rooms and annexes.

Lindi Reynolds

Lindi Reynolds is the Founder and Creative Director of Lindi Reynolds & Co, an award-winning architectural interior design studio specialising in classic contemporary luxury homes. Based in Surrey, Lindi Reynolds & Co works across London and the South East on high-end renovations, restorations and bespoke new builds for clients who value thoughtful design, exceptional quality and homes that stand the test of time.

Michael Arrowsmith

Michael is manager at Etheridge Windows, a family-run business established in 2019. They specialise in doors, windows and conservatories and aim to make the whole process of choosing new windows and doors stress-free.

What are the modern alternatives to conservatories?

It comes as little surprise that these conservatories from 40 or so years ago are now seen as dated, but that isn't to say that the concept isn't still a good one. In fact, it is worth noting that that conservatories these days have come a long way, determined to shake off that creaky, leaky rep they garnered over the years.

'There is such a thing as a modern conservatory now,' points out Michael Arrowsmith. 'It just doesn’t look like the old Victorian-style structures people picture. The newer designs are simpler, often with aluminium frames and better-performing glass, and they’re built to be used all year round rather than as a seasonal space.'

'For those looking at modern alternatives to the conservatory, hybrid glass rooms are leading the way,' picks up Beth Boulton, marketing director at home improvement specialists, Eurocell. 'These use solid corner pillars combined with high-performance glazing, giving you the light of a traditional conservatory but with the structural integrity and insulation of a brick extension.

'The biggest driver behind this shift is energy efficiency, as an old-style polycarbonate roof can cause up to 80% of heat loss in a room,' continues Beth. 'Modern glass now features smart coatings that reflect heat back into the room during winter while bouncing solar glare away in the summer, which is the key to making these spaces usable year-round.'

There are several other alternatives to consider though if you want to add a new space to your home that still allows you great views and a sense of connection with the garden.

Beth Boulton

Beth Boulton is a home improvement specialist and marketing director at Eurocell, where she leads the brand’s digital and strategic growth. With over 20 years of experience in the sector, Beth focuses on delivering practical, sustainable solutions and high-value insights for both trade professionals and homeowners across the UK.

Orangeries

Thanks to some key differences between an orangery and conservatory, the former are fast overtaking them in the popularity stakes.

'In terms of alternatives, there’s definitely been a clear shift towards orangery ideas and full extensions,' reveals Michael Arrowsmith. 'People want something they can use every day, not just when the weather suits. Orangeries sit somewhere in the middle as they have more brickwork and less glass overhead so they tend to feel warmer and more like part of the house.'

'The orangery is an altogether different proposition to the conservatory – and one that is enjoying a very well-deserved renaissance,' picks up Lindi Reynolds. 'Where a conservatory is largely glass – roof, walls, and all – an orangery strikes a more considered balance. Solid structural pillars, robust masonry bases and, in many cases, complete solid walls give the orangery a sense of permanence and privacy that a conservatory simply cannot replicate.

'The roof structure, too, tells a very different story: rather than the 75% glass expanse typical of a conservatory, an orangery features a solid inset roof housing a glazed lantern, flooding the space with natural light from above while retaining heat and structural integrity,' continues Lindi. 'For those seeking maximum thermal efficiency, a fully solid roof finished in tiles or lead is also an option – something structurally impossible in a conservatory.'

Orangeries are definitely a fantastic alternative to traditional conservatories but, if you like this idea, it is worth noting that they do cost more. The average cost of an orangery is £2,250/m² while conservatory costs can start from as little as around £1,000/m² for a simple lean-to design.

Summer houses and garden rooms

Garden rooms and summerhouse have seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years, providing a way of enjoying the garden as well as offering somewhere to escape. They also have multiple uses, from garden offices to full-blown annexes in some cases.

'Conservatories were originally popular because of the indoor-outdoor feel of the space, but today that concept has largely been taken over by modern garden rooms,' says Gabrielle Allen. 'Garden rooms give you the same connection to your garden, but in a space that is genuinely usable all year.

'They are built from far better construction materials, are fully insulated, and can easily incorporate heating and air conditioning,' continues Gabrielle. 'You can still have large doors and windows for panoramic views, but without the compromises that you find in traditional conservatory. Essentially, they offer the best of both worlds – light, open, and connected to the garden, but practical, comfortable, and modern. A garden room is really the contemporary alternative to the outdated conservatories that delivers on both style and functionality.'

Worried about garden room costs? The good news is that you can select basic, log cabin style structures if you are on a tight budget, which might cost you around £1,000 and finish it off on a DIY basis. That said, if you want something a bit higher end, with insulation, heat and electrics, you should budget at least £15,000 with costs rising to £50,000+ for fully-finished designs.

Heavily-glazed extensions

Of course in some cases, building an extension makes more sense than any of these alternatives. Maybe you want to add more than one room or plan on using it for a space that requires a more solid construction. Design one with plenty of glass and you have the best of both worlds.

Obviously an extension costs more than a conservatory (starting from £2,200/m²), but they also increase the value of your home and offer better flexibility in terms of usage.

Glass extensions are the most like-for-like alternative, but these can be prohibitively expensive for many people. By including banks of rooflights, a roof lantern, large bifold or sliding doors or even picture windows you can still achieve an extension that is flooded with light and connected to the garden.

FAQs

How can you modernise a dated conservatory?

If you have an existing conservatory that is looking a little worse for wear, you may well be keen to avoid the disruption and cost of replacing it and try to give it a facelift instead. Conservatory transformations can be simpler than you might think.

'We get a lot of enquiries from people wanting to modernise a conservatory,' says Michael Arrowsmith. 'Modernising it doesn’t always mean starting again – replacing the roof, improving insulation, adding proper heating, or even just updating doors and flooring can completely change how it’s used.

'We often see homeowners either upgrading what they already have or choosing something a bit more solid from the start,' adds Michael. 'Things like tiled or solid roofs, better glazing or opening the space up into the house all make a big difference. Done properly, a conservatory can – and should – feel like a proper room rather than somewhere you only use a few months of the year.'

'The most transformative upgrade is a warm roof system,' adds Beth Bolton. 'Replacing an old roof with a lightweight tiled system instantly fixes the acoustics and makes the space feel like a true extension of your home. They can be installed in as little as 5-7 days.

'Aside from the roof, a simple trick to modernise the look is focusing on the frames,' continues Beth. 'Swapping standard white for Anthracite or Agate Grey mimics the high-end industrial look of expensive aluminium. To make the room feel like part of the home, try using the same flooring in the conservatory as the room it connects to. This visual continuity tricks the eye into seeing one large, cohesive space rather than a separate space.'

Whether you have decided to upgrade your existing conservatory or like the idea of an alternative type of glazed structure, make sure you give plenty of thought to conservatory interior ideas to ensure you are making the most of the extra space.