Picture this: You’re settled into a cozy, sun-drenched spot, with fresh jasmine filling the air and a bowl of fresh berries ready to dig into. It’s the perfect midday escape — and it’s courtesy of your greenhouse.
Having greenery in or around your home adds warmth, a connection to nature, and a sense of calm. And building a greenhouse, either attached to your home or as a stand-alone structure in your yard, also brings the added benefit of fresh food and flowers at your disposal. One other plus? A greenhouse can add to your home’s value.
Whether you live in the city or the suburbs, the possibilities for starting your greenhouse are endless. From smaller windowsill set-ups to spacious backyard havens, here’s how to make the most of your green thumb all year round.
Inspiring year-round gardening
One of the biggest benefits of a greenhouse is that it creates a controlled microclimate, allowing you to break the limitations of the traditional growing season and produce more local food throughout the year. Your gardening aspirations are no longer bound by frost, harsh weather, or seasonal shifts. Instead, you can enjoy fresh green lettuce or vine-ripened tomatoes in the middle of winter.
Greenhouses also shield your plants from the elements. Frost, excessive heat, pests, and strong winds won’t affect your garden. This means your strawberries can ripen in January, and your flowers can flourish even in an unexpected cold snap. Plus, greenhouses enable you to cultivate plants that simply wouldn’t survive in your local climate — think tropical fruits, orchids, or other warmth-loving species.
Creating a wellness sanctuary
Beyond fresh produce and flowers, greenhouses offer amazing health and wellness benefits. ardening improves mood and reduces anxiety while creating a serious sense of accomplishment.
Greenhouses can also serve as a personal sanctuary by extending the outdoors, giving you a space to disconnect, recharge, and embrace your natural surroundings — whether you’re inside or out. If you have the space, you can add seating, lighting, fragrant plants, or even a water feature.
Boosting real estate value
Beyond the immediate benefits, building even the smallest greenhouse can be a smart investment, tapping into the growing popularity of gardening and the shift toward sustainable living. Greenhouses naturally appeal to gardeners, plant-lovers, nature seekers, and environmentally-minded buyers, increasing your home’s desirability and potential resale value.
Setting up a small-space greenhouse
Again, greenhouses aren’t limited by space. Brands like Yardistry have created options for small spaces, rooftops, balconies, and more. Their Urban Greenhouse, for example, is designed to be space-efficient and ideal for city dwellers.
From growing fresh produce and flowers year-round to ensuring you have a great place to find a sense of calm and mindfulness, integrating this feature is a great way to ring in spring. Whether you have a big backyard ideal for building out a more traditional greenhouse or a small rooftop, balcony or, even, corner of a room, it’s easy to create a space that works for you — and delivers benefits now and in the future.
Homes for sale with Greenhouses
Does your dream home come with a greenhouse already included? Check out these homes currently on the market in the Chicago area that feature greenhouses.
343 N. Ahwahnee Road, Lake Forest – $3,895,000
Overlooking Onwenstia Golf Course in Lake Forest, this home is situated on over two acres of land, and comes with a greenhouse, swimming pool, wine cellar, garage parking for six cars, and more. The meticulously designed floorplan features 5 en-suite bedrooms – including a luxurious first floor primary suite, a library, great room with a wood burning fireplace, and a beautiful gourmet kitchen with high-end appliances, lovely inset cabinetry, and a large breakfast area.
301 S. Waiola Avenue, La Grange – $1,790,000
A restored greenhouse is one of several luxurious outdoor amenities that complete this home. Designed by C.F. Jobson, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, this 1908 home features a zen-like garden with winding stone paths, a 40-foot koi pond and the greenhouse. Located in the heart of La Grange’s historic district, this home features an open floor plan with stained glass and oak trim and flooring throughout. Other thoughtful touches include a music room, multiple fireplaces, restored kitchen with butcher block countertops, custom oak cabinets, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator.
1065 County Line Road, Highland Park – $1,349,000
With over 5,000 square feet of living space, this three-story Highland Park home boasts an open floor plan, with high cathedral ceilings and multiple fireplaces, along with an adjacent screened-in greenhouse on the main level. For entertaining on warm summer days, the backyard features an extra-large patio with an outdoor kitchen and a gazebo.