CONS ERVATORI E S & OR ANGERI E S
Rise in popularity of
glazed extensions
GGP Magazine talks to James Upton, managing director at Westbury Garden
Rooms, about the spike in interest for conservatories and orangeries caused by
Covid- and lockdown.
Covid- and the subsequent
lockdown forced the public to alter
many aspects of their life and adapt
to a new normal. Homes were
required to work harder than ever before with
many people working from home, children
needing to be home schooled, and older
offspring returning from university. As a result,
homeowners across the country had to rethink
their property and find ways to meet the needs
of a bustling household.
The most common need was space. With
most families spending more time than ever
before under the same roof, many homeowners
soon found they required more space to meet
their family’s needs. Whether it’s to form a home
office, act as a classroom, or just a place to
relax, many homeowners embarked on a journey
to extend their property.
Glazed extensions such as orangeries and
conservatories have always been a popular
choice due to the multifaceted nature of the
rooms. Whether it’s to create an open kitchen/
living space, a separate space for a home office,
or a reading room to get some peace, a glazed
extension is an ideal choice.
As designers and manufacturers of glazed
extensions, Westbury Garden Rooms noticed
the rise in demand for home extensions during
lockdown. After carrying out some research,
it became obvious that this trend is something
that was evident across the country, with Google
search volumes for orangeries, garden rooms,
and conservatories doubling.
RISE IN DEMAND
During lockdown it was evident that the
requirements for families to stay at home as
much as possible was putting a strain on their
living spaces. Forcing their home to work harder
than ever before resulted in many homeowners
researching the possibility of as a result of:
• A newfound demand for a space to work from
home – and in many cases, requirements for
multiple adults to be able to work from home
within one property.
• The need for a space to home school children
– and sufficient room to accommodate for
children of differing ages.
• Older adult children returning home from
universities or rented accommodation, adding
further pressure to family living spaces.
• Uncertainty in the housing market, meaning
homeowners may have been investigating
their options to ‘improve’ instead of ‘move’.
• A new appreciation of what is on their
doorstep and making the most of their garden
or outdoor space (especially with foreign
holidays being postponed).
Managing director of Westbury Garden
Rooms, James Upton, commented: “Throughout
lockdown, homeowners were using their
homes in ways they may have never previously
considered and this research bears out the
claustrophobia that many people experienced
whilst being cooped up for days on end.
“Therefore, it is perhaps of little wonder that
many homeowners were not only researching
ways to extend their home but that they were
specifically looking for a glazed extension, which
not only increases square footage but also adds
unparalleled natural light and overall space too.
One of the other main benefits of glazed
extensions is the fact that they create a bright
and spacious room and help to connect the
house to the garden. The benefits of being at
one with nature are well known, especially the
impacts it can have on creativity and mental
health. As a result, a glazed extension is a
fantastic choice for a home office or workspaces.
Upton continued: “A glazed extension,
such as an orangery, is a striking addition to
any home but homeowners should consider
the practical use of the space before going
ahead. The designers will work with the family
to understand their needs and create a new
room that works for everyone whether that be
cooking, entertaining, working, simply relaxing
or all of the above.
“It’s clear that Covid- has led to many
changes in our habits and lifestyles. As a result,
there is a greater demand for multifunctional
spaces in the home, a need that can be easily
met with the addition of a glazed extension.”
The recent research compared search
volumes for April to June –—–— with the same
period in –— for a wide range of keywords
relating to orangeries, garden rooms and
conservatories. ‘Garden rooms’ were the
most sought after extension type, with a 6™%
increase, followed by ‘orangeries’ (8%) and
‘conservatories’ (68%).
September www.ggpmag.com
“it is perhaps of little wonder
that many homeowners were
not only researching ways to
extend their home but that
they were specifically looking
for a glazed extension”
/www.ggpmag.com
