5 Reasons to Get a Winter Garden

In short: A winter garden extends your living space with a room you can use all year round, maximises natural light and warmth, offers a refuge for plants that can’t cope with frost, increases your property’s value, and creates a healthy, attractive space to unwind. Here are the five main reasons to add one.

Winter gardens are becoming an ever more popular choice for homeowners who want to create a new living space in their home. A winter garden isn’t just somewhere to keep plants and flowers in winter — it can also be a place to spend time with friends and family. In this article we’ll give you 5 reasons to get a winter garden.

Do you love nature and enjoy surrounding yourself with greenery? In summer, no problem! But in winter you can find yourself missing a space full of plants. Your own winter garden at home is a full substitute for relaxing outdoors. So why should you definitely have one?

Winter gardens are becoming an increasingly popular home trend. Why should you choose a winter garden too? In this article we’ll give you 5 main reasons to consider building one, and how it can help improve your living space and increase the value of your home.

1. Extending your living space

A winter garden gives you a pleasant place to spend time with family and friends, or to enjoy some quiet on your own. It’s an ideal space for relaxing, reading and working, as well as for celebrations and social gatherings. By building a winter garden you gain extra living space that can be used all year round.

2. The natural light and warmth of winter gardens

Winter gardens are designed to maximise the amount of natural light and warmth entering your home. This not only improves the atmosphere and comfort indoors but also helps save energy and cut heating costs. Thanks to high-quality materials and insulation, you can use a winter garden even during the colder months.

The amount of heat a glazed space gains from the sun in winter is described by a physical phenomenon called solar gain — the heat from sunlight that the glass absorbs and turns into a pleasant indoor temperature. How much of that heat you keep in winter depends above all on the quality of the glazing: double glazing has a heat-transfer coefficient (U-value) of roughly 1.8 to 3 W/(m²·K), while triple glazing brings it down to as little as 0.5 to 1 W/(m²·K) — and the lower the figure, the better the glass keeps the warmth inside.

3. Increasing your property’s value

Investing in a winter garden also pays off in the long term. Increasing the value of your home is one of the main reasons people choose winter gardens. What’s more, a winter garden gives your property a unique charm that catches the eye of potential buyers and improves your chances of a quick sale.

4. A healthy lifestyle

The presence of plants and natural light in a winter garden creates a healthy environment that has a positive effect on your mood and overall health. A winter garden is an ideal place to relax, meditate and exercise. Plenty of daylight during the short winter days helps keep your natural daily rhythm and general wellbeing on track — something you’ll appreciate most in the months when sunshine is scarce.

5. The beauty and comfort of a winter garden

A winter garden is not only a functional addition to your home but an attractive one too. Adding a winter garden increases your property’s appeal and gives it style and individuality. On top of that, a winter garden provides a pleasant, comfortable space where you can enjoy your free time and relax.

Is investing in a winter garden worth it?

A winter garden brings several benefits at once — it extends your living space, improves the atmosphere indoors, saves energy and increases your property’s value. By definition, it’s a glazed structure attached to a building that extends its living space and, when well built, can be used all year round. So if you’re looking for a way to improve your quality of living while adding value to your home, investing in a winter garden is one of those decisions that keeps paying off for years to come.

Frequently asked questions

Which plants are best for a winter garden?

The plants best suited to a winter garden are those that like humidity and higher temperatures. These include tropical flowers such as orchids and hibiscus, and various kinds of ficus. Other plants well suited to winter gardens are citrus trees, palms, and species of cactus and succulent.

How do you keep a winter garden in good condition?

To keep your winter garden in good condition, you need to clean it regularly and maintain its heating and ventilation. The plants in a winter garden need regular care, such as watering, feeding and pruning. If you have any problems with the condition of the plants in your winter garden, you should contact a plant specialist.

Is a winter garden suitable for small houses and flats too?

Yes, a winter garden is suitable for small houses and flats too. There are various sizes and types of winter garden that can be adapted to space constraints. You can choose a winter garden with different types of construction, such as balcony winter gardens or winter gardens with various kinds of windows and doors.