Given the winter that we have all endured, it’s somewhat a relief to start thinking about the outdoors again. As we wait for it to warm up, we can edge closer to the outdoors and in particular, the conservatory. Here are a few ideas on how to get the most out of your conservatory.

Choosing Colours

Conservatories by their nature tend to be places full of light, so it’s a good idea to keep the wall colours light and bright, which will enhance the size of the room and help to capture that sunny feeling. I would tend to keep the walls pale, such as whites, chalks and pale creams. A conservatory is also a space where the outside meets the inside, so it’s a good idea to select colours from a natural palette, i.e. soft blues, greens or earth tones for accessories such as pictures and cushions.

Flooring

For flooring, I would recommend tiles or a wooden floor, again keeping light colours at the front of your mind as the sun will fade everything so the darker the product, the more noticeable the fading. Tiles are a practical choice as this is a great room for plants. I also like to add big rugs for the colder months to help create a feeling of warmth and cosiness.

Bringing aspects of home and garden together with conservatory flooring is easily achieved. Think ceramic tiling in earthy tones, its cooling qualities being great for a south-facing structure. Wood will give a stunning natural feel to your project, bringing together inside and out very effectively. Budgets must be considered here, and if yours won’t stretch to real wood or stone, don’t stress  – simply opt for laminate or vinyl finishes. The best are easily mistakable for the real deal!

Furniture

Furniture is key to bringing the whole room together; again sticking to paler colours in natural textures such as linens, cottons and leathers is a good idea. Rattan works very well, particularly when combined with linens and cottons. I can’t stress enough here how layout and overall furniture size needs very careful consideration. If the furniture is too big or too small, it will take from the overall enjoyment of the room. They need to be comfortable and well made, but also look the part.

Window treatments

There are numerous options available, specifically created for conservatories. This can be a very confusing area as sometimes we want our window dressings to do numerous different things. Basically, glass is not a good conductor of heat or cold, therefore you don’t get much use out of a conservatory in the winter unless you spend a lot heating it. If you have a lot of glass, a well-chosen window dressing will ensure you get more use out of this room. Cellular blinds are one of the best options on the market for this area, the better ones are more expensive, but far more energy efficient, so will pay for themselves over time. If you want to add more visual warmth to the room a fabric covered pelmet is a good option, far less expensive than Roman blinds, and won’t cut out as much of your light/views.

If privacy is key, then Roman blinds in a light, airy fabric can add a lovely breezy effect to the room, while still allowing light to penetrate. Sun block rollers or Roman blinds work well in more modern settings and are quite functional in that they maintain light penetration and you can see out during the day, but give you complete privacy. However, beware that some of these do not give privacy at night. Check with your supplier. In all situations, getting a professional out to your house to advise you is without doubt the way to go. Many shops will offer this service free of charge.

Accessories

Accessories should follow the natural theme, so look for those made from wood or stone, and try to stick to pieces that started life outside. Alternatively, if you prefer a more modern style, simple chrome and glass pieces such as hurricane lanterns work beautifully.

For more advice on conservatories contact Orla at orla@interio.ie or visit  www.interio.ie