Real Roof The timeless elegance of Edwardian conservatories

It was in Edwardian England that conservatories came into their own: architects grew bored of designing the same old buildings, and began to design buildings that combined the usual, rectangular angles with flamboyant, decorative features. Of course, conservatories were intended as much for plants as for humans, and the Edwardian design allowed plants to receive maximum possible sunlight. Nowadays conservatories are a great option for not only looking after your plants (this is by no means compulsory), but offer an excellent entertaining space, or a place to relax and put your feet up.

It’s easy to see why Edwardian conservatories remain popular in the UK today. Given our climate for much of the year, we all want to make the most of the sun when it does eventually come out. The four sided roof that is traditional on Edwardian conservatories helps us to do that, maximising the light in the room and, at the same time, giving an elegant, ageless experience to the space.

The practicalities of the Edwardian conservatory are clear to see. Not only does the roof maximise the light in the room, but the floorspace is maximised, allowing the home owner to make the most of the area. Some choose to keep their conservatory as entertaining space, or purely for the summer, while others make it an integral part of the living space. And Edwardian conservatories are excellent options for that reason – they allow the home owner the freedom to do what they want with the space.

From the exterior, conservatories in the Edwardian style are elegant and desirable. Not only does the elevated, four sided roof allow for the impression of space and look totally ageless, but there are numerous flourishes, often very subtle, which add to the conservatory’s attractive design. These include crestings and flourishings of various styles, while coloured glass features allow for a touch of elegance.

Edwardian conservatories are timeless, airy spaces that are equally suited to any home – be it from the same period or a modern new build. With the owner having the option to dress and use the room however they desire, it’s clear to see why Edwardian conservatories remain so popular.