5 Quick Updates for your Conservatory
20th Jun 2023
One of the very best things about this time of year is being able to use our conservatories once more! Throwing open the doors to balmy days and lighter summer evenings when your kitchen, conservatory and garden seem to merge into one huge living and entertaining space. Many homes now have a conservatory, but are you using yours to its full potential? We have 5 quick updates to really get the most from your conservatory.
1) The green connection. Back in the 17th century, a conservatory was used as more of a greenhouse and it would be filled to the brim with exotic plants and fruits, almost like a second garden. And this is a look that works really well for the modern conservatory, creating that essential connection between house and garden. Plant lots of greenery around your conservatory so that you get the sense of the garden through the conservatory glass; trailing ivy adds a real whimsical touch. Indoors, you can keep things quite minimal with potted plants that match the ones outside, or create a true garden room with indoor shrubs and climbers. Why not use sophisticated and sleek shelving for your luscious plants to drape and tumble playfully down, such as Chrome Wire Shelving? Add a wooden table and some gentle lighting and this would make a magical setting for summer meals.
2) The social space. When you’re entertaining, the conservatory is a life saver. Instead of splashing out on a ‘suite’ opt instead for mismatched seating for a relaxed vibe. A wicker tub chair with a pretty cushion, a brightly painted dining chair, a few wooden outdoor chairs and maybe even a velvet high-backed armchair. Mix and match your seating, set out drinks and nibbles on the divine Urbaboxx Chrome Wire Shelf Trolley then invite your guests to chill out and enjoy the view of the garden whilst you get on with the food.
3) Dumping ground to storage haven. It’s all too easy for the conservatory to become a dumping ground for things like toys and books, meaning it is never used to its full potential. A good compromise to the conservatory storage dilemma is the conservatory window seat, perfectly placed to get the most of the garden view but with added storage. A joiner could build a bespoke seat to suit your conservatory dimensions, and ask for little slots underneath which are the perfect size to pop in a few Storage Boxes.
4) The botanical trend. A big trend for the SS18 season is botanical. If you’re less than green fingered though and don’t want to go for full on (living!) greenery you can still get the effect. Style your conservatory with botanical print cushions, fake potted plants and lots of green accessories. If you’re really feeling brave, you can add in a spider plant or jade plant, both are almost impossible to kill but still offer the wellbeing effects of having plants in the home like air purification.
5) Collaboration. As conservatories are often add-ons once we’ve run out of space, there can often be a bit of a mis-match between them and the look of the rest of the house. But if you’re clever, you can make the conservatory work as part of the kitchen, maximising usability and increasing the sense of space. Use similar colours and styles from your kitchen in the conservatory. Simple things like using the same paint colours, using similar fabrics and adding in co-ordinating styles of furniture really add to the flow between rooms. With these tips, we think that the conservatory is one room we’ll be spending a lot more time in this summer!