Tag: victorian greenhouse

  • Victorian Greenhouse Charm: 5 Decorating Essentials

    Victorian Greenhouse Charm: 5 Decorating Essentials

    When you think of a Victorian greenhouse, you probably imagine ornate finials, a small chair tucked in the corner, and glass walls showcasing a sunrise with promise. Roses may grow in beds nearby, and perhaps a cat or two wanders the gardens, waiting to rush inside and nip at the plants.

    A Victorian greenhouse isn’t just a functional structure for controlled growing; it’s a mood that transports you to a simpler time and leisurely lifestyle, inviting you to stop and smell the roses. Originally symbols of luxury and botanical curiosity, these enchanting structures housed exotic plants and created year-round gardens, making them as much about beauty as function.

    Ready to create your Victorian greenhouse escape? Incorporate these essentials to capture that timeless elegance. These five tips will have you searching flea markets and nurseries for charming additions to your retreat.

    5 Must-Haves for Every Victorian Greenhouse

    Lighting

    Whether you run power to your greenhouse or rely on candles, nothing says elegance like a touch of crystal. A vintage crystal chandelier reflects light onto glazed pots and petals, creating a luminous effect under the moonlight. Many people also string twinkle lights for an enchanting glow. If fire risk or power access is a concern, opt for a candelabra with battery-operated candles. However you let light in.  it’s one of the most impactful ways to add Victorian charm to your glass house.

    Chair

    Whether a rocking chair, old wooden stool, or patinaed patio settee, every Victorian greenhouse needs a place to rest to survey your growing plants. An antique piece adds character but avoid putting anything too sentimental or valuable in a greenhouse unless you’re okay with potential damage from moisture.

    Rug

    A printed rug adds personality to your Victorian greenhouse without costing a fortune. You can thrift or shop for an antique Persian wool rug, but affordable waterproof options are also effective for greenhouse chores. Muted hues add Old World style, and round shapes balance a square or rectangular greenhouse frame. A rug adds beauty underfoot and offers a cozy nap spot for furry friends to rest.

    Gardening tools and kitsch

    No greenhouse is complete without gardening tools for planting, watering, or adding charm. Look for brass and copper hangers, soap stone sinks, raised beds, kitschy gardening signs, enamel or galvanized watering cans, old garden tools, and wooden tool caddies to organize your implements.

    kim's greenhouse sign

    Shelves and tables

    Whether attached to the greenhouse or freestanding, shelving is essential for function. Get creative with salvaged dressers or writing tables, and use baskets for twine, gloves, and seed packets—a tiny stained-glass lamp on top casts warm rainbows that invite onlookers in.

    Have fun with seasonal decorations too such as pumpkins for Halloween, Christmas lights, and shade cloths. With plenty of space to tend plants and seedlings, you’ll create a greenhouse where imagination blooms.

    Shop for a Victorian Greenhouse

    Decorating a Victorian greenhouse adds extra fun, but ensuring it is structurally sound and made from quality materials is key to long-term enjoyment of your greenhouse.

    Explore our Janssens line of Victorian greenhouses and contact one of our partners to start your greenhouse journey. Thinking about a custom greenhouse? We can do that, too. Use our greenhouse configurator tool to design a charming, antique-inspired space ready for all your special touches.

  • Where to Place Your Victorian Green House

    Where to Place Your Victorian Green House

    If the idea of a Victorian green house conjures up visions of a garden escape, you’re not alone. These timeless structures are more than just beautiful; they offer a unique combination of traditional charm and functional design. When placed thoughtfully in your garden, a Victorian greenhouse can provide the perfect environment for your plants to thrive. With high ceilings and ornate details, they’re the ultimate choice for those who want both form and function and pay homage to a bygone time.

    Why Choose a Victorian Green House?

    What makes a Victorian greenhouse stand out among other options? Unlike modern or polycarbonate greenhouses, they usually have a pitched roof, many have finials, and can feature large, expansive glass panels that let in maximum sunlight. The glass allows your plants to bask in natural light from all angles, which is essential for growth. Plus, the vintage style adds a touch of character to your garden space.

    While owning a Victorian greenhouse can provide the edge to gardening by providing a controlled environment, there are no guarantees you’ll have a green thumb or be able to nurture finicky plants or crops without any challenges.

    There are lots of factors that should be considered if you plan on becoming the master of your greenhouse space.

    First and foremost, location is everything. Carefully planning this before purchasing can help ensure your happiness and success, whether you choose a Victorian greenhouse or a traditional style.

    Find the Perfect Spot for Your Victorian Greenhouse

    To maximize prosperity from your plants, you should aim to place your greenhouse with the ridge running from East to West. This exposure means your plants will happily bask in sunlight all day, which is necessary for colorful blooms, healthy foliage, and for bearing fruits.

    Worried about sensitive plants? Shading solutions can help solve that as can aftermarket tinting. There is solar film that can be applied later to the glass, or greenhouse whitewash paint- something like Kool Ray Liquid Shade. This is painted on the greenhouse and wears off over the spring/summer with the weather. Creative greenhouse owners can also partition areas of their space with plants needing more or less sunlight and arrange what grows there as needed. There’s also shade cloth and exhaust fans to help control indoor temps.

    Keep in mind a glasshouse like those from the Janssens Victorian or Alton’s Cedar greenhouses are excellent in cold weather but can heat up quickly in the summertime when temps soar, especially in southern climates. Even with proper ventilation and shade, glasshouses can be too warm to grow comfortably in mid to late summer. Sometimes they are best for extending the growing season, overwintering, and having an outdoor space for other leisure activities.

    More to Consider

    Not only is the exposure a major factor in determining greenhouse placement you’ll also need to think about the ground below. Your greenhouse should be placed on level footing. This will help reduce site preparation and help ensure you have the best base. Unlevel ground means your doors may not close properly or fit together.

    Need power to your greenhouse? Think about your utilities, too. You may consider laying conduits under your foundation to power your exhaust fan, intake vent, lighting, and heater. And you should consider installing water lines. A greenhouse situated closer to the home can offset some of the costs of bringing in power and water.

    Last, even though trees can be helpful and serve as a natural shading source, they’ll also block natural sunlight, which some plants need to thrive. In hotter climates trees can be useful, but falling limbs can damage your greenhouse, so keep that in mind.

    Need Help?

    With proper consideration, you can find the perfect location for your greenhouse. Exaco distributes European and Victorian greenhouses for all types property owners. Contact our team if you have any questions about ideal site placement or for more assistance selecting the best greenhouse for your needs.

    Whether it’s a Victorian greenhouse or a modern outdoor structure, where you put it makes all the difference.