For many, traditional conservatory designs should remain in the past as more futuristic-looking, minimalistic structures are becoming more commonplace and highly desired. Why is this the case you ask? Because the world is becoming filled with more and more people having a passion for technology. 

The one thing that all modern tech products have in common is their aesthetic. They’re simple, minimal and contain lots of clean lines. Think of any iPhone or Tesla’s Cybertruck for example. It’s easy to see why those with an enthusiasm for the latest and greatest gadgets would want their home to reflect their gadgetry. 

Let’s explore some of the latest and greatest trends for creating a truly contemporary conservatory…

What Makes A Modern Conservatory Design? 

When it comes to modern conservatories, less is more. Casual frames, clean lines and as much glass as possible will usually fit the contemporary bill. Conservatory roofs tend to be pitched, flat or in the lean-to style, and the overall shape of the conservatory is often square or rectangular (fitting in with the clean lined approach). 

A simplistic design and the maximisation of natural light are the main takeaway factors here. 

Modern Conservatory Ideas

As with any home improvement project, whether it be modernistic or not, the purpose of the room must firstly be decided upon as that will dictate the design plan as well as furnishing. However, the golden rule for contemporary designs is minimalism. 

Don’t overcrowd the space as that will yield a smaller surface area for the human eye. You want to enhance the space as much as possible. Subtlety is key and that’s also the case when it comes to modern conservatory furniture. Opt for rattan table and chairs in muted tones which are both aesthetic and functional. 

Conservatory Dining Room

A conservatory makes for a fantastic backdrop for dining in either the day or nighttime. Family dinners and dinner parties alike will benefit from the light and spacious area that a conservatory dining provides. Furthermore, during the summer months, a conservatory setting will create the perfect alfresco style dining arrangement!

Kitchen Conservatory

A kitchen conservatory is one of the most versatile rooms a home could have. The space allows for cooking, dining and entertaining all in the same square footage which not many rooms can boast. However, we would suggest installing underfloor heating as the space can get a little bit chilly in the winter months, and you’ll undoubtedly want to use the space all year round. 

The Biggest Modern Conservatory Trends Right Now

Glass Extensions Or Glass Boxes

As previously stated, installing a conservatory with as much glass as possible makes for a very modern look. Not only will the space be utterly bathed in natural light, a primarily glass structure will be able to compliment your existing property’s aesthetic. Traditional-looking and period homes in particular will hugely benefit from a fully glazed design. You can also refer to these designs as glass boxes or glass extensions. 

Bi-Folding And Swing & Slide Doors

Either of these door options provide a lot of glazing, meaning natural light in abundance as well as clean cut minimalism in terms of design. We recommend installing aluminium frames to increase the modern-ness of the aesthetic even further. 

An Orangery Instead Of A Conservatory 

The lines between an orangery and a conservatory have become blurred in recent years. You can read all about the differences between them in our orangeries vs conservatories blog (shameless plug).

Essentially however, an orangery contains more brickwork and usually comes with a lantern roof. The perfect hybrid of a conservatory and an extension if you want the best of both worlds. 

Orangeries are a great option if you have a southward facing home and are concerned about too much light entering the space. There are also some truly mesmerising modern orangery designs to take inspiration from. 

Black Frames

A black conservatory is an incredibly contemporary choice and will really help you stand out from the crowd. Traditionally, conservatory panels are white or wooden, so if you opt for black and furnish the interior with minimalistic and muted silvers, greys and metallic elements…you’re onto a winner! 

Squares Upon Squares

Clean lines are all the rage right now and what has more cleaner linage then squares in a gridded format? Squares will instantly modernise any living space, especially conservatories. 

Wooden Floors

Carpet or tiles have traditionally been the usual go-to options when it comes to conservatory flooring. Contemporary designers are tending to favour wooden flooring to counterbalance the glazing or aluminium elements of the room. If you’re on a budget, use wood effect laminate or vinyl flooring instead! 

Modern Lean To Conservatory Ideas

Lean-To conservatoires are usually square or rectangular structures where the longest side of the structure runs concurrently with the rear of your home. The name is derived from the roof of conservatory which is angled downwards, creating a leaning effect. 

There are a couple of fantastic ways to utilise the lean-to design in a contemporary way…

Lean-To Conservatory With Bi-Folds Or Swing & Slides

A lean-to conservatory can span the entire width of the rear side of your property and therefore the entire width of your garden. When coupled with bi-folding or swing & slide doors, this will almost create a picture frame where your garden serves as the backdrop. Beautiful panoramic views of the outdoors whilst allowing lots of additional natural light into your home! 

Are You Lean-ing To-Wards Having a Lean-To Kitchen? 

For those who desire a brighter kitchen area with more space, a great choice to make would be adding a lean-to conservatory into the mix. By removing a brick wall, you can add the lean-to structure instead to provide additional floor space and far more natural light to the room. You can amplify these effects even further by adding floor-to-ceiling glass! 

Modern T-Shaped & P-Shaped Conservatory Ideas

These types of conservatories are best suited for homeowners looking to add a substantial amount of space to their abode. It’s also worth stating that these options are more suited for larger properties as a lot of garden space will be necessary. 

Both conservatory shapes can be viewed as separate zones where you can dictate different purposes for each space. There is an ultimate level of flexibility here, meaning you can use the spaces for a multitude of purposes whether it be dining areas, playrooms or anything else. The world’s your oyster! 

In terms of modernisations, it’s the usual elements… factor in skylights or lantern roofs, bi-folding or swing & slide doors and aluminium frames (the thinner the more contemporary)

Modern Conservatory Roof Ideas

When it comes to stylish conservatory roofing option for the present day, the quirkier the better. Most conservatory roofs are fairly standardised. Therefore, if you think outside the box or opt for something with a striking visual appeal, the innovation will bring a more modernistic feel than the usual options. 

The Atrium Roof

If you are thinking about having an orangery as opposed to a conservatory, then you may want to consider a grand atrium style. In other words, a lantern roof which stretches from one end of the extension to the other. Stunning viewing coupled with the bonus of a flooding the room with natural light. 

The Slanted Roof

Slanted roofing provides a conservatory with an alternative feel to the rest of your home. These are ideal for homes that don’t have much garden for an extensions to encroach on. The slanted roof also provides additional height to the living space, as the higher end of the slant can be placed above the height of the original ceiling. Sloped roofs are also a tad easier to clean than flat roofs due to the wonderful force that is gravity. 

Modern Conservatories Are Breaking Stereotypes

Traditionally, the age old issue with a conservatory is that the living space became scorching hot in the summer and icily cold in the winter, rendering the space unusable for a lot of the year. However, modern conservatories render those stereotypes completely outdated!

At West Midlands Double Glazing, most of the conservatories we construct for our customers these days feature a tiled roof. The benefit of having a tiled roof installed instead of a glazed roof is temperature regulation.

A solid roof reduces heat transfer, meaning it stops heat from escaping during the winter and reduces the amount of sunlight coming in and trapping itself in the conservatory space during the summer. Solid roofs help to minimise temperature fluctuations throughout the day.

Modern conservatories essentially act as a hybrid between the old style conservatory and a traditional extension but what about the natural light that conservatories provide you may ask? Well, we have an answer to that too…

Many of our conservatories feature built-in rooflights, custom glazed elements and bi-folding doors to ensure that a maximum amount of natural light can flow into the space without sacrificing any heat regulation benefits!

With Modern Conservatories, The Future Is Bright

The comeback of conservatories has been an incredible one! With the technological innovations and advancements, modern conservatories…or what we refer to as the Conservatory 2.0 is currently taking the country by storm.

Homeowners still desire a light, bright space filled with natural lighting but, as mentioned earlier, see temperature regulation as a must in order to use the space all year round. As a result, modern conservatories are a practical, energy efficient and aesthetically beautiful addition to any home.

Are You Looking To Add A Modern Conservatory To Your Home?

There you have it…West Midlands Double Glazing’s top tips when it comes to modern conservatory ideas. If you live in the Birmingham or West Midlands area and are thinking about adding a conservatory or renovating an existing structure, get in touch with our brilliant team today! 

We’ve installed countless conservatories across the region whether the homeowner has desired a traditional or contemporary design. We implore those looking to make any home improvements take advantage of our FREE consultation where you can utilise our years of experience in your decision-making. 

We hope you’ve found this blog informative and if you’re still looking to be inspired, head over to our conservatory page where you can find conservatories in all manner of styles and materials!