The Kitchen Design That Marries Outdoor Beauty To An Indoor Space

Light pouring in through skylight windows, nature seemingly within arm's reach beyond the glass, and a cozy cooking environment with just the right touch of biophilia is enough to make us feel giddy. If this sounds like a dream to you, then you might be interested in a beautiful kitchen design that blends the outdoors and indoors into one. We're talking about the conservatory or orangery kitchen. As homeowners are looking to add custom features in their kitchen renovations in 2026, some might be interested to explore the conservatory or orangery kitchen in their homes. 

The conservatory kitchen can take many forms, but the key feature of large, bright windows spanning the room make it a notable addition to the home. Whether you build an extension, refit the kitchen into a sunroom, or integrate a conservatory dining space into your kitchen layout, this design style invites the outdoors in with an open and airy feel. Conservatory kitchens might resemble a greenhouse with an entire kitchen tucked into its corners. Often, the room is only separated from the main home via an archway or entry, so the space is not entirely sealed off in the way a greenhouse would be. Another term you might see with this style of kitchen is the word "orangery." Orangeries are similar to conservatories in function, differing only in their structure. Between the two, orangeries tend to be considered a more permanent addition due to structures like pillars, full walls, and a solid roof.

If a conservatory kitchen sounds like the gorgeous Victorian-esque design of your dreams, there are a few things you should know before investing in one. On the bright side (pun intended), these spaces welcome in ample light, illuminating darker rooms of the home and creating a more open feel. Further, it allows homeowners to create intentional gardenscapes surrounding their conservatory to make the most of the outdoor-indoor integration. Some might even add glass sliding or French doors to utilize an outdoor patio space or courtyard to create the perfect union between the outside world and the kitchen. 

The greatest drawback of a conservatory kitchen is financial. If your home doesn't already include a conservatory, orangery, or sunroom, it can be a costly renovation to build an extension on your home. Between conservatories and orangeries, the former tends to be more affordable since it often uses cheaper materials like uPVC and glass. Further, those with existing spaces might experience hefty upfront costs for moving plumbing, electrical, gas lines, and appliances from their previous kitchen location into a conservatory room. Additionally, these rooms may need new flooring, insulation, updated windows, or supports to hold cabinetry. Another concern is that improper insulation could lead the space to feeling too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, a notable challenge for conservatory-specific builds. While orangeries may not have the same challenges, proper insulation is still a must for these spaces.

It's best to speak with a professional or contractor to plan your conservatory or orangery project since this renovation requires careful consideration for proper insulation, plumbing, electrical, gas lines, and installation. You may want to speak with a professional about glazing to find the right kind of windows for your situation. Planning proper ventilation, lighting, and exhaust outputs will also be a priority before you can add an orangery addition or turn a sunroom into a conservatory kitchen.

And before you start jotting down your must-haves for making your sunroom the perfect Victorian conservatory, it's a good idea to consider how the structure will be built. For example, do you prefer a conservatory or an orangery? Do you want angled glass roofs or skylights? When building, consider the direction that light will travel in the space. A south-facing room will often have the most ample light. Will there be access to a patio space? How will you regulate interior temperatures? If your space faces the neighbor's house or the road, how will you add privacy measures?

Try to answer these questions and also consider how you plan to install counters or upper cabinets, particularly in all-glass conservatories. Adding adequate storage is also something worth noting. Also, if this renovation exceeds your budget, there are some clever hacks to make a sunroom in a home that doesn't have one by installing additional windows and skylights to achieve a similar effect.