7 Modern orangery design ideas with lantern roofs and bifold doors

Orangeries with lantern roofs constitute arguably the most in-demand home upgrade on the market.

The orangery, retaining all the aesthetic appeal of its Italian roots, provides homeowners with a luxurious additional amount of floorspace, and the lantern roof plays the vital role of filling it all with natural sunlight.

Truth be told, an orangery and a lantern roof is a combination that you can’t go wrong with, you’ll enjoy elite thermal performance, see an increase in your home’s value, and be treated to a space that can be used for pretty much any purpose.

We’ve put this blog together with the hope of inspiring you to use the space to its full potential. We’ve jotted down recommended furniture arrangements, door styles and frame colours to make the most of your space. At Renaissance Conservatories, we’ve been designing and installing orangeries for homeowners across South Devon for years, and they’re fully bespoke so each of the below options is possible. The best bit? We offer free, no-obligation quotes so there are no hidden surprises!

Orangeries with lantern roofs: What is all the fuss about?

Before we give you our design ideas, here’s a quick reminder of what both items are, and why they’re so popular.

Originating in 16th-century Italy as luxury shelters for delicate citrus trees, modern orangeries are constructed with solid brick piers and insulated walling to offer the structural permanence of a traditional extension. Characterised by expansive side glazing and a central roof lantern, they flood open-plan interiors with natural light while maintaining total privacy at eye level.

The lantern roof sits centrally above the structure, rising above the roofline to draw in abundant natural light from above whilst maintaining privacy. It is a striking architectural feature.

The benefits of orangeries with lantern roofs

• Natural light without compromise: The roof lantern floods the room with daylight, reducing your reliance on artificial lighting and keeping the space feeling open and airy year-round.
• Thermal efficiency: Quality lantern roofs, combined with solid brickwork and high-performance glazing, provide excellent insulation. Solar gain (heat absorbed from sunlight) is managed effectively, keeping indoor temperatures comfortable and helping lower energy bills. Likewise, in the winter the thermal performance is very similar to any other room in your house, meaning no chilly mornings that make the space unusable.
• Versatile living space: From kitchen extensions to a sitting room or home office, an orangery adapts to suit almost any lifestyle.
• Increased property value: A well-designed orangery is widely considered one of the most impactful improvements you can make, adding both beauty and practical square footage that can meaningfully increase the value of your property.
• A striking focal point: Inside and out, the lantern roof creates a visual centrepiece that gives your home a genuinely premium feel.

Orangeries with lantern roofs: 7 modern design ideas

Once you have settled on an orangery with a lantern roof, the exciting part begins. Here are seven contemporary ideas to help you make the most of your new space.

1. Bifold door integration

The increasingly popular aluminium bifold doors eliminate a full wall, with the panels folding back onto themselves concertina-style, creating an uninterrupted opening between your orangery and the garden in the process.

Combined with abundant natural light streaming in from the roof lantern above, the result is an airy space that feels expansive and connected to nature, even on a typically unpredictable Devon day.

2. uPVC frames for a clean, lasting finish

uPVC, unplasticised polyvinyl chloride, is a durable, low-maintenance framing material offering excellent insulation and strong resistance to the coastal elements, making it particularly well suited to South Devon’s tidal regions.

It is available in a wide range of colours and woodgrain finishes, making it a great choice if you live near a conservation area where a more natural aesthetic is preferred.

3. Patio doors for a classic, practical option

Patio doors slide smoothly on a track system, providing easy garden access without requiring swing space inside the room.

With slim sightlines, meaning narrow frames that maximise the glazed area, modern patio doors keep the view clear and the room feeling bright and open. They work particularly well in orangeries where space is precious.

4. Central kitchen island anchor

Placing a kitchen island directly beneath the roof lantern creates an almost spotlight-like effect, with natural daylight pouring down to highlight the heart of the room.

It is a layout that works beautifully for everyday living, practical during the day and atmospheric in the evenings when the lantern frames the night sky above.

5. Contrasted frames and brickwork

For a contemporary look with real visual impact, pair anthracite grey frames against traditional red brickwork. The contrast is bold yet refined, and this colour combination has become increasingly popular across South Devon.

It works particularly well where a home already features period brickwork, allowing the orangery to feel both sympathetic to the original property and unmistakably modern.

6. A light-filled sitting room beneath the lantern

Position a comfortable sofa directly beneath the roof lantern, and you create a naturally illuminated reading spot by day, completely removing the need for artificial lighting.

In the evenings, it becomes something altogether more magical: a place to unwind, watch a film with the stars visible through the glass above or simply sit and enjoy the most extraordinary room in your home while watching birds fly.

7. Triple aluminium: windows, doors and roof lantern

Specifying aluminium across your windows, doors and roof lantern creates a cohesive, minimalist aesthetic with real longevity.

Aluminium’s durability makes it well suited to South Devon’s coastal climate, and its slim sightlines maximise the amount of natural daylight entering the room. The result is clean, sophisticated and full of light, a truly modern orangery design.

Orangeries from Renaissance Conservatories

Our orangeries are completely bespoke, designed around you, your home and the way you live. We offer a range of designs, including modern roof lanterns with slim sightlines and outstanding thermal performance, managing heat loss in winter and solar gain in summer to keep your space comfortable year-round.

Before a single brick is laid, we create detailed in-house CAD drawings so you can see exactly what your orangery will look like. From brickwork and frame colour choices to glazing specification and flooring, every detail is agreed with you first.

Our orangeries can be finished in a wide range of colours, from classic white to bold anthracite grey and warm woodgrain effects, and paired with high-performance aluminium or uPVC windows and doors. Solar control coatings are available to manage the amount of heat entering the space, and roof vents can be incorporated for natural airflow and ventilation throughout the year.

Why trust Renaissance Conservatories for your orangery?

We are a family-run business based in Newton Abbot, with many years of experience installing high-quality orangeries across Torbay, Teignmouth, Exeter, the South Hams and beyond. We are proud members of the Consumer Protection Association (CPA), giving you genuine peace of mind.

Our director Ben visits every customer personally to discuss your vision and provide a free, no-obligation quote. Our dedicated team then handles everything, from surveys and in-house CAD designs to planning permission and installation, working closely with local authorities so you never have to worry about building regulations, conservation area requirements or the unique demands of South Devon’s coastal environment.

Here is what you can expect when you work with us:

• Free, no-obligation design consultation with director Ben
• In-house CAD designs so you can visualise your orangery before work begins
• Full compliance with building regulations and planning permission
• Local knowledge of South Devon’s conservation areas and coastal requirements
• CPA membership for complete consumer protection
• A friendly, expert team who work efficiently to minimise disruption to your daily life

We also offer high-quality aluminium and uPVC windows and doors, so we can take care of your whole home improvement project from start to finish.

Ready to bring your orangery vision to life? Call us on 01626 333 393 or email info@renaissanceconservatories.co.uk for your free, no-obligation quote. We would love to help you create something truly special.