You will obviously need to consider the design and shape of your house, as well as the size and layout of your garden before committing to any specific type of conservatory. You will also wish to consider what you will be using the conservatory for - is the shape more important than the floor space?

The most commonly found conservatory types in the UK include the Victorian, Georgian and lean-to type.

Victorian - this is a conservatory which is built outwards from an existing wall. Typically, is uses quite a small space of wall on your home, and creates most space in its length. A Victorian conservatory is faceted at the end, usually with three of five facets to give a curved look. Both are pleasing to the eye, with the five-faceted conservatory giving a much more rounded appearance, but at a little more expense.

Georgian - this type of conservatory is used to optimise the area available to you by means of elevation and square shape. They tend to be cheaper than Victorian conservatories, however lack the faceted end, and are a much plainer box shape; though this allows for optimal use of floor space.

Gable Front - if you have a steep-sloped roof, you may wish to build a gable front conservatory. They are typically built as an extension to the side of a house, so that the conservatory roof is in line with the roof of the home, allowing it to blend in and match its surroundings. Gable Front conservatories are thought to be the most traditional type of conservatory.

Box Gutter - this type of conservatory typically fits onto an existing building, and shares its guttering system. Typically, it will attach to a sloped roof, which is how the gutter is shared, as the two roofs come together in a 'V' formation.

Corner Infill - this is a rather uncommon method, but it is excellent if you are short of space in a garden, or want a more cost effective conservatory. They are built in a corner, using two walls from your home. This saves on construction and materials, and also makes a very efficient use of space.

Lean-to - this is one of the most cost-effective methods of building a conservatory. They are particularly convenient where height restrictions exist. A lean-to conservatory uses the wall of your home to 'lean' against, instead of being free standing. This saves on construction and material costs. While ideal where height or space restrictions exist, they can also be quite extensive and spacious. While a lean-to conservatory is typically built on a rectangular base.

Combination - it is possible to mix two distinct conservatory styles for an irregular shape, usually in a 'P' formation, of a Georgian conservatory with a Victorian facet on the side, or an 'L' formation, with a lean-to conservatory, again with a Victorian facet on the side. Naturally, these are a little more expensive, however if you want a unique and individual conservatory, is probably worth the outlay.