A typical conservatory addition to a home is made with a glass roof and walls and normally used for extra space, or as a sun lounge where house plants can thrive. However, many people can end up buying a new home with a conservatory added to it, and finding that it doesn’t feel very homely or a part of the house. However, I’m here to tell you that it’s completely possible to turn your conservatory into a lovely cosy space, without the need to knock it down or make any big extension plans.
Conservatories can get lovely and warm in the summer months, however as we are in the UK, for the majority of the year they tend to be on the colder side which is why newly built versions tend to be a bit more practical with solid roofs. If your conservatory is on the colder side, and you’re looking to turn it from a cold shell into a cosy, warm haven, then keep reading for my top tips!
Install Warm Features
The first and probably most important step, is to add some warmth to the space. You can do this in a few different ways, such as installing double glazing, adding thermal blinds, underfloor heating, or adding insulation to the roof. Conservatory roof insulation is one of the most effective and energy efficient methods to add warmth and can often take a single day to install. It can also make your conservatory ceiling look just like the rest of your home which is quite nice as it looks like an extension rather than a conservatory. This method can save around 25% on heating bills too which is a huge bonus!
Bring In Soft Furnishings
Soft furnishings like big cosy rugs, squishy sofas and lots of plump cushions can help bring in that lovely warm homey feel. This can work particularly well if your conservatory is attached to your living room and you want to almost make it an extension of that room. I love a big throw or blanket for cosiness too, they look great draped over a sofa or chair. Soft furnishings absorb heat so this helps create that warmth during the colder days.
Add Linen Curtains
Linen curtains are great for conservatories as they act like an insulating layer, keeping it cool in the summer by blocking out the heat, and in the winter months they block the cold air out, making the room warmer. Linen is a lovely soft material and hangs lovely, so not only are they really practical but they also help bring in that snug feel.
Use Warm Lighting
Keeping in theme with the sunlight that your conservatory is likely to see lots of, it works well to use warm lighting for when you use the space on an evening, or during the winter months. Lamps and dimmable lights are great for creating a softer environment, my favourites are globe table lamps and wall or table lamps paired with linen lampshades. Twinkly fairy lights work wonderfully too, and add a lovely whimsical feel when carefully strung across the ceiling or around the shape of the walls.
Add Cosy Touches
When you think of ‘cosy’ what do you think of? I personally think of warm tones, blankets, and candles. We’ve already covered warm lighting and blankets, so you could try decorating the space with some of your favourite candles. This can totally depend on your interior taste, but I love brass candlestick holders with pretty dinner candles in them. They really bring in that warm traditional feel and feel super cosy. I always add sweet scented glass candles too, if the room smells good it definitely feels more homely in my opinion!
Have you got a conservatory? How have you decorated it?
