Inspiring Design Ideas For Your Conservatory

Coming up with stylish conservatory interior design ideas can tax even the most experienced decorator. But with space at a premium in many properties conservatories are a great way to add a multi-functional room with style and design credibility.

Here are our top tips to make sure your conservatory is a year-long asset to your home.

You may have inherited your conservatory from a previous owner or be planning your own, but the best place to start is with the design style of the structure you will be working with. Conservatory styles can cover the very modern, contemporary glass box with long lines or frameless glass windows though to the more traditional period orangeries. Traditional styles are usually described as Edwardian and Victorian. Regardless, whether framed in UPVC, aluminium or wood, start here to achieve design success; a minimal glass box with Tudor swathed curtains will instantly jar and undermine the look from the start.

Small conservatories need decorating in a style that delivers comfort without cluttering an already limited space. Keep the scale of furniture such as chairs, desks and tables in proportion (conservatories can become dumping grounds for furniture that doesn’t work in other rooms, whether suitable for the conservatory or not). If you are creating a cosy reading nook then one oversized chair and shelves can work well, but a playroom needs floor space so neat furniture works best. Make sure you don’t overcrowd your space so that it becomes difficult to negotiate; it’s the guaranteed way to create a room no one ever enters.

Lean to conservatories are often used in the ‘side return’ spaces in period houses (a narrow length often found in Victorian houses that runs by the side of a back room). They can connect one room to another so need to have a clear flow through them without feeling like just a walkway. Try zoning the seating or dining areas with rugs, and place chairs in a conversation grouping to create a focus inward. (If you are thinking of claiming back this space, check the UK guidelines which shows just how much you can build without getting tangled in red tape).

Large conservatories can feel echo-y and cold in winter and the heat and sunlight can be hard to manage come the summer months. Window coverings can be created to accommodate both extremes, as well as help manage any attendant heating or cooling bills. If there is the space, conservatories can make a great combined family room for playing and Friday night films. However, the large amount of glass can make these rooms feel chilly even if the ambient temperature is comfortable; to address this a combination of blinds for light management and curtains to soften the edges can work well. And don’t forget to ensure you have enough lamps to draw the focus into the room, on side tables or as standard lamps. Instant cosy.

Conservatories have moved on from the simple way-out-to-the-garden of old. Do you need a larger kitchen? A playroom for a growing family that means they can tip easily outdoors? A living room where homework or reading can be had for family members who need more quiet? Consider reconfiguring other rooms before you start; a dark kitchen could be moved to make breakfast times sunny. Think big in the dreaming stages.

Decorating a conservatory doesn’t have to be cane furniture and rattan (although both are back in fashion for 2016). Base your style ideas on the purpose and age of the conservatory; faded bohemian floral styling may suit a wooden framed lean to, whereas a more linear structure such as PVC works better with more graphic prints and long lines. If it’s a multi-purpose room (lounging and playing) make sure you incorporate plenty of storage such as benches with pull out toy bins or sofas that can double up as a guest bed. Try to get the most value and use out of your space.

Conservatory colour schemes need to consider the outside as well as in. White PVC can dominate and be quite a cold white shade, so soften with pastels on the walls to reduce the effect. You can use a shade lighter than the adjoining room to create a connection between the two spaces and avoid the ‘stuck on’ feeling that some conservatories can suffer from. Another great way to introduce colour and deal with this particular issue is through a clever use of flooring. You can unite spaces by considering the layout of each room as one and running the same flooring throughout. The obvious hard tile option is no longer compulsory; try underfloor heating, flooring in bright rubbers finishes, lush, hard wearing carpet or engineered woods.

Garden room conservatory décor calls for accessories such as large floor cushions and conservatory plants that link the green beyond the window with the indoor space. Lighting can also come under this heading with conservatory lights to lead outside to an evening on the terrace or wall lights that twinkle to those in the garden as the sun sets. Rugs can also add softness and absorb noise (often an issue in conservatories).

Curtains can bring a much needed sense of luxury, but conservatory blinds can give much more light control. If your conservatory also is an all-glass structure, roof blinds can give you much more control over the daylight. Top-down bottom-up blinds also give great control, and using a different colour on roof windows versus eye line windows can give the illusion of a ceiling when closed (our Duette® Shades are ideal). Also look for great energy saving properties; cold out, warmth in when you want and out when don’t. You’ll know you’ve got it right when it ends up being the room everyone gravitates to for a sun-drenched afternoon nap or a star-gazing evening. Enjoy.

Looking for window treatment for your conservatory? Take a look at our ranges designed especially for making these spaces work.