Overview
Conservatories aren’t “retro” anymore: modern designs use high-performance glazing and roofing to create bright, comfortable rooms all year round.
This article explores popular styles, advanced roof options, and practical questions to help you plan a versatile space that truly suits your home.
The key points of article:
- Today’s conservatories are energy-efficient, secure, and flexible to use.
- Lean-to, gable-end, Victorian and Edwardian styles remain popular choices.
- Solid, tiled, lantern and high-performance glass roofs transform comfort.
- Multifunctional layouts work as offices, gyms or dining spaces.
- Define purpose, roof, efficiency, style and access before you buy.
It’s tempting to think of conservatories as a bit retro, but today’s designs create space for many a riff on a classic theme.
Vintage or modern? Whatever the style, the appeal of the glazed building rests mainly on its capacity to offer warm, light space when the weather outside is less agreeable.
But it’s all about how you use that space. What might be a conservatory one day could be a sunroom the next, or a gallery, a studio, a study, a breakfast room… It can be anything you choose to make of it.
Why choose a conservatory in 2025?
Conservatories today are more energy-efficient, secure, and versatile. Advances in glazing and roofing, have made possible vastly more exciting designs that offer visual appeal and more flexible use as well as regulating temperature year-round.
Popular types of conservatory
While there are many design options, some common types and formats prove enduringly popular.
Lean-to conservatory
The lean-to is the simplest and often the cheapest option. Like all styles, it can be simple or more elaborate in design and choice of materials can offer classic or contemporary designs. One feature that’s particularly worth noting is the sloping roof which makes it especially suitable for bungalows or homes with height restrictions.
Gable-end conservatory
More imposing, visually speaking, the gable-end design is better suited to detached homes where more space is available to reach out into the garden or terraced area. Choose from a wide variety of designs and look forward to a great deal of space to enjoy beyond the walls of the house.
Orangery
Named after 18th century buildings intended originally for exotic fruit and built on larger country houses, the orangery has become a catch-all term for a more elaborate conservatory extension. Often thought of as somewhere between a conservatory and a full extension, an orangery typically features brickwork, enhanced insulation, and a more substantial roof.
Victorian conservatory
Among the more popular types of conservatory—perhaps because we have so many period homes in the UK—the Victorian style is instantly recognisable by its bay front, ornate detailing, and pitched roof. It’s a simple style that creates a useful space suitable to modern or traditional properties. You can add as much or as little detailing as you like to rev up or subdue the period style.
Edwardian conservatory
Post Victorian styles revived earlier neoclassical ideas returning to more symmetrical, square or rectangular shapes. This approach has its advantages, especially if your dining table follows that form. It creates a usable space with plenty of options for roofing too.
Modern roof options for conservatories
‘LivinRoof’ solid conservatory roof
The contemporary, ‘LivinRoof’ combines the strength and insulation of a solid roof with the brightness of glazed sections. Vaulted ceilings and skylights enhance the feeling of height, making the space feel larger than it is.
Tiled conservatory roofs
A tiled roof conservatory provides the look and performance of a traditional extension, with excellent insulation and energy efficiency. Available in a range of finishes, a tiled roof adds character and matches the rest of your property.
Lantern roofs
If you want a dramatic architectural feature, look up this option. Rising above the main roof, a lantern roof offers additional height and increased light. Popular in extensions and orangeries, lantern roofs are a stylish alternative to simpler designs.
Glass conservatory roofs
The traditional option—often maligned for making conservatories too hot in summer and too cool in winter—has been revolutionised by improvements to glazing. High-performance glazing offers excellent insulation, reducing glare in summer and retaining warmth in winter. So you don’t have to compromise on insulation to get all that extra daylight.
Trends in Conservatory Styles UK
Today’s conservatory styles reflect a shift towards multifunctional spaces within the home. Many conservatories double as a home office, a gym, or an open-plan dining area.
Slim frames, high-performance glazing, and advanced roofing combine to make it possible to do more with the space year-round—adding much needed space for much less than the cost of moving to a larger house.
Wide openings enabled by bi-fold, or sliding doors add to the feeling that you’re getting a lot more than a conservatory for the money—you’re really creating an extension with a lot of glass.
Choosing the right conservatory for your home
A great conservatory starts with clear priorities. Use the prompts below to shape a design that looks right, works hard all year, and flows naturally with everyday life.
Purpose and Layout
Decide the main job first—dining, relaxing, working, playroom, or a bit of everything. Then plan the layout around that purpose: where the table, sofa, desk or storage will sit; how people will move through the space; and where you’ll want sockets, lighting and data points. If it’s multifunctional, zone it with furniture, rugs and lighting rather than walls.
Property style
Match the form to your home’s architecture so the extension feels integrated, not “added on”.
- Period charm: Victorian or gable-end styles echo traditional detail.
- Clean lines: Lean-to or Edwardian shapes suit modern homes.
- Keep roof height, ridge line and frame thickness in proportion to windows and doors on the existing elevation.
Roof choice
Your roof sets the mood and the comfort.
- Lantern roofs: a striking centrepiece that pulls light deep into the room.
Add blinds, integrated spotlights or dimmable circuits to fine-tune light levels - Fully glazed: maximum daylight and sky views with today’s high-performance glass to limit glare and heat loss.
- LivinRoof (solid with glazed panels): a cosy, room-like feel with targeted skylights for drama and daylight.
- Tiled roofs: a more “extension-like” look with excellent insulation and a calm acoustic.
Energy efficiency
Think glass, frames and roof as one system. Choose high-performance glazing, insulated frames and a well-specified roof to keep temperatures stable. Consider background heating (e.g. plinth or underfloor), trickle ventilation and shading to smooth out seasonal swings. Good comfort turns occasional space into everyday space.
Access and flow
Map the routes from kitchen or living room to garden. Choose door types to suit the opening and how you’ll use it:
- French doors: classic symmetry and a smaller footprint.
Ensure thresholds are as level as possible for easy movement between spaces. - Bi-fold doors: wide, fully open on sunny days; great for entertaining.
- Sliding doors: slim frames, big panes, minimal interruption to views.
With a wide range of high-quality, energy-efficient products, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect match for your budget, style, and lifestyle.
Famously friendly and effective customer service ensures every project, whether traditional or contemporary, is designed with your needs in mind — from initial consultation to final installation.
Come and see some of the design possibilities for yourself at your local showroom. You can see how different styles and roofing options feel by spending a bit of time in fully constructed examples.
FAQs
Advances in glazing and roofing improve insulation and temperature regulation. This delivers bright spaces that feel warm in winter and controlled in summer.
Choose from solid “LivinRoof”, tiled, lantern, or high-performance glass. Each option balances insulation, light levels, and the look you want.
A lean-to often fits bungalows or height-restricted homes. Its sloping roof and simple form maximise space without overwhelming the property.
Plan the room’s purpose, circulation and light sources first. Modern frames, wide openings and efficient roofing support work, dining, fitness or relaxing.
