Greenhouse

The greenhouse extends gardening seasons and capabilities, providing a controlled environment for starting seedlings, growing tropical plants, or harvesting vegetables year-round. Whether an attached sunroom, a freestanding structure, or an indoor plant room, greenhouses connect home life with plant cultivation in ways standard rooms cannot. Designing a greenhouse means balancing light transmission, temperature control, humidity management, and growing space. The best greenhouses function as efficient growing environments while remaining comfortable spaces for humans to enjoy—potting benches for working, seating for enjoying the green surroundings, and systems that manage the significant demands of plant cultivation.

Key Design Considerations

✓Light exposure and supplemental lighting
✓Temperature control for plant needs
✓Humidity management and ventilation
✓Water source and drainage
✓Growing surfaces at various heights
✓Human comfort for extended work

Layout Tips

Orient for maximum southern light exposure in northern climates. Include benches at different heights for varied plants. Create a work zone with potting bench and supply storage. Leave circulation paths for watering and maintenance.

Lighting Recommendations

Natural light is primary—maximize glazing. Supplemental grow lights extend short winter days. Task lighting at potting benches aids detailed work. Consider timing systems for consistent photoperiod.

Storage Ideas

Under-bench space stores pots and soil. Wall-mounted pegboard organizes tools. Hanging pots maximize vertical growing space. A dedicated seed-starting area with heat mats and lights supports propagation.

Popular Features for Greenhouse

Maximum glazing for light

Climate control (heating, cooling, ventilation)

Potting bench with water access

Shelving and benches for plants

Drainage systems

Recommended Design Styles

These design styles work particularly well for greenhouse spaces:

Victorian Modern Biophilic Cottage Tropical Botanical

💡 Pro Tip

Ventilation is often underestimated—greenhouses can overheat rapidly in sun. Plan for both passive ventilation (roof vents, louvers) and active ventilation (fans) sized for your space. Temperature swings stress plants and shorten greenhouse usefulness.