The thought of having more space in a home is very appealing for most people. Whether that is to create that new dining room, office, playroom or kitchen or whether it is to simply add more value when you come to sell it, adding space has its advantages.

The main issue is how to create the space. There are many options such as extending into the loft or basement, building a new garden building or more commonly a side or rear extension. One of the most popular ways to create the space is with a conservatory. As with all types of building there are pros and cons of each one. Here are some of the advantages of building a conservatory:

1. They can be done without planning permission

Depending on the size of the conservatory you want and the style of property you have and of course the planning regulations of the time you may not need planning permission to build a conservatory. This can make the process much quicker from start to finish.

2. They make a unique space in the home

One of the great advantages of the conservatory or orangery is that it extends the home into the garden so you get the feeling of being outside while being sat warm and dry inside. This makes a conservatory a very light and open space.

3. They can be less expensive

Again depending on the specification and the style of property, conservatories can be relatively inexpensive compare to traditional extensions. The cost can go up according to the size, type of base and how you want it finished but generally they cost less to build.

4. Add value to your home

As with most home developments they can add more value to the resale price of your home. Even if your house is already at the ceiling price for your area having a conservatory could make your house more appealing to buy. Some estimates of the increase in asking price for a house with a conservatory ranges between 4 and 7% of the value of your home

5. They are versatile spaces

They can be easily adapted according to the requirements you have on the space. You may use it as a dining room, but when children come along it may be better off being a playroom. You could even have a sofa bed out there as an overflow bedroom when people come and stay.

There are a multitude of styles of conservatory from lean-to to the more common Victorian and Edwardian. They also come in various shapes from a simple rectangle to p-shaped. As with any type of building it is well worth getting the professionals in to do the design and installation but there are people opting to do self builds. This is not an option for the amateur and if not fitted properly or if you accidentally fall foul of the planning laws, it could end up costing you more than if you’d hired someone.

Either way, once you have your conservatory you will enjoy it for years to come.