I would like to start by saying that WE CAN ALL HAVE A WINTER GARDEN and we deserve it too.

But what is meant by WINTER GARDEN?

Indeed, a long time ago it was synonymous with Orangeria, that is, that building, in communication or not with the main house, in the shape of a narrow and long parallelepiped, with large windows and plenty of natural light inside which potted plants were sheltered of citrus fruits to protect them from the winter cold in those places where winter was harsh.

Over time, this concept has expanded to include those environments surrounded by walls, but with an opening at the top, often included in a house or in a scrap of paved space.

I am reminded of a film that perhaps not everyone will remember or have seen: Green Card – marriage of convenience with Andy McDowell and Gerard Depardieu where she, forget the plot issues, lives in a 1930s house with a wonderful winter garden: a room divided from the rest of the house by a glass wall and with a hole in the ceiling which lets the rain in when it rains.

Today the WINTER GARDEN has a broader meaning and we can distinguish three different types.

The winter garden can be totally artificial. Paved, not outdoors and without plants. Let’s say there isn’t the possibility of having an outdoor space, but only indoors. It is not possible to have glass windows and therefore views of nature.

It is possible to intervene in this space with flooring, for example for outdoors to give the idea of ​​walking on a terrace.

You can use outdoor furniture or covered with fabrics that recall nature.

The ceiling can be decorated with plant supports, outdoor decorations and real or artificial plants.

Even the winter garden could be a point of the house, a corner of the living room or bedroom. A targeted wallpaper, a small table and an armchair could transform a very few square meters into an oasis of silence and relaxation to devote to rest, reading, hobbies.

If real plants are used, it will be necessary to pay attention to the lights which must have particular characteristics, but also beautiful artificial plants, well arranged, can give the desired effect.

You can then intervene with smells and sounds that recall the garden: the scent of citrus fruits, flowers, the sea. Sounds of nature such as chirping, wind, rain or meditative music.

If, for example, we have a covered balcony that is open to the outside only on one side, this could be called a winter garden. So the external paved space is there, but it is difficult to consider it as OPEN and/or overlooking bad landscapes.

The bad landscape can be one or more taller buildings, noisy and chaotic streets, neighbors too close, pollution smells or other intrusive sutler smells. The bad landscape can also be understood as seeing the reality that surrounds us every day that does not allow us to isolate ourselves in a place and time that is ours alone. The winter garden therefore also has this motivation for existing.

If the water can reach the plants, the choice will be between closing with a greenhouse – a more or less transparent metal and Plexiglas (or glass) structure – or creating a cover with living essences running on a support structure.

If, on the other hand, the space is so protected that it doesn’t have to be covered, the transformation into a winter garden will be “only” a matter of managing the space with plants, furniture and materials. In this regard, for example, IKEA gives many suggestions in its exhibitions.

We must not forget the water!

Many people relax listening to the sound of flowing water. Feng shui also considers water an element that cannot be missing in a garden (see the article “ INTRODUCTION TO FENG SHUI”). The gently flowing water seems to be able to take away dirty energies or even regenerate and recharge exhausted energies.

If possible and you like it then insert a fountain or a small waterfall. There are many on the market. Find the one that best suits your taste and a corner where to place it.

The Winter Garden as a veranda or greenhouse

If you search the Internet for orangeries, you will most often be shown verandas or greenhouses. This is a reasonable and often frequented extension of the winter garden.

These conservatories or verandas can be connected to the walls of the house or stand alone. They can be heated and equipped with an irrigation system or not. They can contain places to rest or work.

Rest can be tea with friends or listening in solitude to chamber music (or heavy metal). Work can be tending a garden, a hobby or carrying on the work that provides food. We therefore mean that in smart working we can also work in our corner of the winter garden: we will enjoy it and so will those who connect with us.

How to make a Winter Garden?

First you decide on the location for this garden: an area of the house, garden or office. Then you should figure out what is relaxation for you: plants, books, silence, music, views, etc.

Finally, design the area to match your vision.

How much does a winter garden cost per square metre?

You will understand that, given the descriptions above, it is not easy to put a price on the work.

If you adapt a corner of your house even by inserting wallpaper, furniture or technology, the cost could be between 200 and 1000 euros or even almost nothing if you move things already in the house.

If, on the other hand, you are a private individual and have a veranda or greenhouse built (e.g. of 6 square metres), you could spend between 2000 and 5000 euro between everything. If the veranda is heated and you put in motorised covers, prices will clearly change to between 10 and 12,000 (perhaps now, given the increase in prices, even more).

In short, the winter garden is that magical place where you can be all year round, in hot or cold weather, alone or in company, relaxing, having fun or working, and you can have it how and where you want.

Now on horseback! Work awaits us! Our new wonderful outdoor space is about to be born!

GOOD WORK and … if you have any questions please write to info@mondodelgiardino.com

Sources of the images: thanks livornotoday.it for villa Maurogordato; the Orangery of Charlottenburg from visitberlin.de; the Orangery of Innsbruk from orangeriestam.sat; the Orangery of Villa Nigra in Orta from villanigra. it; the orangerie of the Villa di Monza from turismo.monza.it; the orangerie of Schönbrunn Castle in Vienna from commonswikimedia.org; the Curly Swirly fountain from lavorincasa. it; the Zen fountain from planetasrl.net; indoor fountains from arredoingiardino.it; the orangerie of Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan from lucmagazine.com; the winter garden of architects VismaraCorsi from homify.com; the new Orangerie of the Pondi Pezzoli Museum in Milan fromartribune.com; the winter garden of the Rotter company from Holz-Alu-wintergarten.de