A conservatory is a beautiful addition to any home, especially for gardeners who want to expand their indoor plant collection. But it can be extremely expensive to build one onto your existing house.
If you're looking to add a conservatory or attached greenhouse that can double as additional living space and you're on a budget, there are plenty of elegant options that won't break the bank. I've scoured Amazon to find the best DIY conservatory kits to give you that classic built-in look for a fraction of the price—and minus the hassle of a major home renovation.
Let's take a look at my top picks for a beautiful budget conservatory that will allow you to keep growing even after the outdoor gardening season is done.
Conservatory vs. Greenhouse
First off, let's get our terminology right. What is a conservatory versus a greenhouse? A greenhouse is devoted to growing, while a conservatory serves other purposes. A conservatory is often an additional living space or recreation area with lots of light that makes it an ideal spot to grow houseplants and other indoor plants.
Conservatories are most often used as an additional indoor living space, but they can also function like a type of greenhouse. Think of them as somewhere between a sunroom and a greenhouse.
Conservatories and greenhouse should have a good amount of windows and sometimes a glass roof. Conservatories are usually attached to the home, whereas most greenhouses are freestanding. Generally, greenhouses are easier to plan and build, but they're typically not usable all year—at least not as living spaces.
While you can remodel an existing home to add a conservatory, this can be an extensive and expensive endeavor. But thankfully, there are some more cost-effective and easier options you can DIY to get the same look and functionality of a conservatory.
Considerations When Building a Conservatory
A conservatory should provide appropriate growing spaces for plants and offer a place to overwinter plants. You will likely need to add a heating system, unless your conservatory will be permanently attached to your home and share some of the warmth from indoors.
Additionally, you will need to consider lighting when choosing a location for your conservatory. Inventory the lighting that is available at all times of day and during different seasons, as it changes quite a bit depending on the time of year.
Shop DIY Conservatory Kits
This elegant greenhouse kit is the perfect dupe for a classic Victorian conservatory. It excels in both form and function. The metal details on the roofline not only add charm, but keep birds from perching and making a mess on the heavy duty polycarbonate panels.
This spacious conservatory has plenty of room for plants as well as additional living space. Create an outdoor living room next to your house that doubles as a growing space.
If your style leans more modern, this DIY conservatory kit will perfectly match your home's aesthetic. With sleek black and faux wood trim, this conservatory that doubles as a gazebo would look beautiful with a mid-century modern style garden and home.
Sliding doors on both front and back make it easily accessible and the removable polycarbonate panels means it can double as a gazebo in the summer months.
If you only have a small outdoor space to add a conservatory, this lean-to version is just the thing! This kit quickly covers an existing patio, porch, or back deck for an instant conservatory conversion.
It comes in four different sizes to accommodate any size home and backyard. Simply walk out your door and into your new conservatory with this simple kit.
