Thinking about creating more space at home? Explore the differences between conservatories, orangeries, extensions and garage conversions, with practical advice on design, costs and what to consider before you start.
Creating more space at home is not always about building the biggest extension possible. Sometimes a bright conservatory is exactly what a property needs. In other cases, an orangery, traditional extension or conversion of an existing garage makes far more sense.
The right choice depends on how you intend to use the room, how it connects to the rest of the house and what the existing property will comfortably accommodate.
This guide brings together the main options, explains where they differ and helps you understand the decisions involved before committing to a particular design or budget.
Before comparing conservatory styles or looking at extension designs, think about what the additional space actually needs to do.
A separate room for relaxing or enjoying the garden has different requirements from a kitchen extension that needs to become part of the existing house. A home office may need privacy and good insulation more than extensive glazing, while a family dining room might benefit from opening directly onto the garden.
It is also worth considering how the new space will affect the rooms you already have. A large addition can change natural light levels inside the original property, and removing an external wall may introduce structural work that wasn't part of the initial plan.
Start by exploring the four main options below, then follow the individual buying guides for more detailed advice.
There are four main approaches worth considering, although the boundaries between them are not always as clear as the names suggest.
Conservatories are generally characterised by generous glazing, allowing plenty of daylight into the room and creating a strong connection with the garden.
They can work particularly well as sitting rooms, dining areas and additional family spaces. Modern roof systems and glazing specifications also provide more choices for managing comfort than older conservatory designs offered.
The amount of glass, roof construction and relationship with the main house all matter. A conservatory with extensive glazing will behave differently from one with an insulated roof and more substantial walls.
Explore the Conservatories Buying Guide for advice on styles, materials, roof options, glazing, planning and costs.
You can also view our Conservatories service page to explore the available options.
An orangery typically combines substantial wall sections with large windows, glazed doors and a roof lantern or other glazed roof feature.
This often creates a more enclosed, room-like feel while retaining plenty of natural light. Orangeries are popular for kitchens, dining areas and living spaces where homeowners want a balance between traditional construction and glazing.
The distinction between a conservatory and an orangery is not always absolute. Modern designs can share many of the same features, so the construction specification is more useful than the label alone.
Our Orangeries Buying Guide explores designs, roof lanterns, insulation, construction and the choices that affect the finished space.
For product and installation information, visit our Orangeries service page.
A home extension is often the most appropriate choice when the intention is to change how the existing house works rather than simply add another room.
Extending a kitchen, opening up a dining area or creating a larger family living space may involve structural openings, foundations, drainage alterations and changes to the existing layout.
There is considerable flexibility in how an extension can be designed. Some homeowners prefer a traditional appearance that matches the original property, while others introduce larger glazed doors, rooflights or contemporary finishes.
An extension can be a substantial undertaking, however. The work involved depends on the building, ground conditions and how extensively the existing rooms need to be altered.
Read our Home Extensions Buying Guide for a closer look at layouts, construction, planning, budgets and project stages.
You can also explore our Home Extensions service page.
Not every property needs an extension to gain useful living space.
If a garage is rarely used for parking or storage, converting it may provide a practical alternative to building beyond the existing footprint.
Depending on its position and construction, a garage could become a home office, playroom, additional sitting room, bedroom or part of a larger open-plan arrangement.
The important question is whether the existing structure can be adapted properly. Garages were not necessarily built to the same thermal and comfort requirements as habitable rooms, so floors, walls, roofs, ventilation and damp protection need careful consideration.
There may also be restrictions affecting the loss of parking or the permitted use of the garage.
Our Garage Conversions Buying Guide explains how to assess suitability, what the work may involve and which approvals to consider.
You can also view our Garage Conversions service page.
There is no single option that suits every property. The decision usually comes down to the intended use, the available space, the existing building and the budget.
These are starting points rather than fixed rules. A well-designed conservatory can feel surprisingly substantial, while a modern extension can incorporate almost as much glazing as an orangery.
A property with a small garden may benefit from converting an existing garage rather than losing outdoor space to an extension.
Equally, a garage that provides essential parking, storage or access may be more valuable in its current form.
For a household that wants to open up an existing kitchen, a traditional extension may offer more freedom than adding a separate glazed room.
Consider a hypothetical home with an unused integral garage measuring approximately 3 metres by 5 metres. That represents around 15 square metres of existing floor area that might be adapted without constructing an entirely new external footprint.
Whether the full area becomes usable living space depends on insulation, wall construction, layout and building regulations requirements. It is not automatically a cheaper project, but it illustrates why checking existing space before planning an extension can be worthwhile.
The size of the project matters, but it is rarely the only factor affecting the final price.
Groundworks, foundations, structural alterations, drainage, roof construction, glazing, heating, electrics and internal finishes can all influence the budget. Even two projects with similar floor areas may have quite different costs.
A garage conversion may involve less new construction than an extension, but unexpected issues with the existing structure can change the scope of work. An orangery with substantial masonry and a large roof lantern may cost more than a simpler glazed conservatory, although specifications vary considerably.
It is worth deciding early what the quotation includes. Flooring, decorating, lighting, heating and changes to adjoining rooms can make a noticeable difference to the final amount.
The cheapest initial design is not necessarily the best value if it compromises how the room will be used.
Planning permission and building regulations are separate considerations, and neither should be assumed away simply because a project is described as a conservatory or garage conversion.
Some conservatories and extensions can be built under permitted development rights, provided the proposal meets the relevant conditions. Other projects require planning permission, particularly where size, location, previous extensions or restrictions on the property affect what is allowed.
Building regulations deal with matters such as structural safety, insulation, ventilation and other construction requirements.
Certain conservatories may qualify for exemptions from some building regulations requirements when specific conditions are met. Those exemptions should not be assumed to apply to every glazed addition, particularly where the space is opened up to the main house.
Orangeries and extensions also need to be assessed according to their actual construction rather than their name.
Home extensions generally require building regulations approval. Garage conversions into habitable rooms will also normally require approval, even where planning permission is not necessary.
Restrictions may apply to listed buildings, conservation areas and properties where permitted development rights have been removed.
Before committing to a design, check what applies to the property and proposed work. The Planning Portal provides guidance for homeowners in England, although the local planning authority and building control body may need to confirm the position for a particular project.
A room can look impressive in photographs and still be awkward to use.
Think about furniture positions, electrical sockets, storage, natural light, privacy and how people will move between the new space and the existing house.
Large areas of glazing can be a real advantage, but they also affect solar gain, heat loss, glare and where furniture can be placed. Rooflights and roof lanterns need the same consideration.
Heating and ventilation should be discussed as part of the original design, not treated as something to work out after the structure is built.
And remember the garden. A new living space should improve the property without making the remaining outdoor area less practical than expected.
Although the details vary, most living space projects follow a similar progression.
The initial discussion establishes what the homeowner wants to achieve and whether the property appears suitable. From there, the design, measurements, specification and any necessary approvals can be considered before work begins.
Larger structural projects may involve groundworks, foundations, drainage, building control inspections and changes to the existing house. Smaller conversions may involve fewer external changes but still require careful attention to the original construction.
Timescales are difficult to generalise. A straightforward conversion and a substantial kitchen extension are very different jobs, and weather, material availability, approvals and unforeseen structural issues can all affect the programme.
I would always rather understand what a project involves at the beginning than promise a quick completion date that leaves no room for complications.
One of the easiest mistakes is choosing a particular type of living space before establishing whether it suits the house.
A conservatory might be attractive because of its glazing, but if the main requirement is a large open-plan kitchen, a more substantial extension may be better suited to the intended layout.
Similarly, converting a garage can look straightforward until floor levels, damp protection, insulation or structural alterations are considered.
Another common oversight is focusing on the appearance of the finished room while giving less thought to how it will perform during winter, summer and everyday family use.
The most successful projects tend to be those where the practical details have been considered alongside the design.
You can work through the complete collection or go directly to the type of project you're considering.
For examples of completed work, explore our recent projects and inspiration.
If you already have a project in mind, you can also contact the team to discuss the property, intended use and available options.
