6 Ideas for the Interior Design of Your Conservatory

Adding a conservatory to your home is the perfect way to create extra living space. It can be used for so many purposes throughout the day. A conservatory can be a restful breakfast room, a quiet space for relaxation, a playroom, or a pleasant dining room when entertaining. It can even become a home office.

You need to think carefully about the interior design of a conservatory. It needs to be in harmony with both your home and garden while establishing an identity of its own.

1. Conservatory Accessories for all Seasons

Conservatories are a great excuse for indulging in your favourite architectural style. One of the most popular is Victorian, which often features a curved structure with a multi-faceted glass roof. An Edwardian design is generally symmetrical with either a glass or tiled roof.

Conservatories are ideal for growing houseplants. They help connect the interior with the garden while softening the strict architectural lines. Make your conservatory welcoming in all seasons. Include furniture with cotton fabrics for summer. Choose either underfloor heating or a stylish wood-burning stove to make it cosy during winter.

2. Choosing Colours for Your Conservatory

Most conservatories have large expanses of glass and limited wall space. Choosing a vintage colour such as burgundy or forest green often enhances the architecture and the garden views. Bold primary colours such as yellow and red create a lively, contemporary image. They'll never appear too overpowering due to the small amount of wall coverage.

For a restful atmosphere, choose a pastel tone such as pale blue, lilac or soft, light green. Neutral colours such as beige or grey can always be relied on to be in vogue. They should easily complement the conservatory's soft furnishings.

3. Conservatory Designs with Natural Materials

If you love the idea of biophilia, the principle of harmonising with nature, include natural materials. Instead of painting the walls, choose vintage, open brickwork in a beautiful shade of russet that should look warm and inviting even in the depths of winter.

An alternative could be wall tiles of cork or terracotta. You could even use tiles similar to those in an adjoining kitchen. Contemporary glass tiles could look stylish in small quantities particularly if your conservatory faces north. If it's south-facing, the sun can make shiny surfaces appear aggravating.

4. Versatile Conservatory Flooring

Conservatories can become quite humid in warm weather which can make carpets a poor choice. Many designs feature natural materials that can acclimatise more effectively with the seasonal humidity.

Engineered wood flooring is often ideal as its layered construction is flexible enough to match varying moisture and temperature levels. It's also compatible with underfloor heating.

Reclaimed stone floor tiles in a subtle grey or blue are a great choice for Victorian and Edwardian conservatories, but they can feel cold in winter. Alternatively, high-quality vinyl is suitable for any season.

5. Choose Fashionable Conservatory Blinds

South-facing conservatories with full glass roofs can become unbearably hot in summer. That's when you'll be relieved you invested in some stylish conservatory blinds. Roller blinds are usually easy to operate across the roof, providing versatile shade when necessary. If you opt for a pale colour, you'll still be able to read, while dark colours block out the light.

Venetian blinds are versatile as you can angle the slats to provide as much shade as you want without entirely obstructing the daylight. Fabric blinds can be lined with a thermal material that helps retain warmth during cold weather.

6. Perfect Lighting for Your Conservatory

Once evening twilight begins to fall, you'll need some illumination. To maintain flexibility choose dimmable lighting that can be adjusted to suit your mood or the occasion. You could opt for eco-friendly LED lighting strips. Placed along the architectural beams they'll provide subtle illumination.

An overhead spotlight or extendable floor lamp can provide targeted lighting for reading. Small spotlights placed among conservatory plants help create an enchanting atmosphere when relaxing. If you like to dine in your conservatory, consider a pendant light that can be lowered or raised above the table.

It's great fun designing a new or restored conservatory. As a versatile room with views of your garden, you can effectively incorporate natural materials and plants. Always consider the direction and humidity of your conservatory when choosing accessories such as blinds, soft furnishings and flooring.

Colour schemes can influence mood and style, making your conservatory elegant, contemporary, energising or restful. You can easily introduce new patterns and textures through inexpensive accessories such as cushions and rugs. Add some heating, and your conservatory will be welcoming all year round.