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10 Decorating Ideas For Your Conservatory or Sunroom
Make sure your sunroom is as well used as the rest of the house with the right furniture and accessories
We love our conservatories, orangeries and glass-box extensions, but decorating this extra room is not without its challenges. To a certain degree, the décor will be steered by how the conservatory is used (as a kitchen, extra living room or just somewhere to chill?) but it also needs to fit in with the rest of your house and not stick out like a sore thumb, and also be a usable space every day of the year. Check out these ways to create a room that makes the most of all that light while feeling cosy and welcoming.
Box it in
Glass boxes allow a window on the world from several angles. In contrast to the sharp lines of this extension, the comfortable sofa and surprising parquet flooring add warmth, making this a comfortable space from which to enjoy the view on a daily basis.
Check out more great glass-box extensions
Glass boxes allow a window on the world from several angles. In contrast to the sharp lines of this extension, the comfortable sofa and surprising parquet flooring add warmth, making this a comfortable space from which to enjoy the view on a daily basis.
Check out more great glass-box extensions
Open up the space
This airy orangery has been turned into a fully functioning dining room thanks to a long table and plenty of storage. The pale grey of the cabinetry and the rustic, scrubbed wood of the table give the space a laid-back vibe, while large lamps soften the ceiling spotlights on winter afternoons and dark evenings.
Discover what makes a sunroom an orangery
This airy orangery has been turned into a fully functioning dining room thanks to a long table and plenty of storage. The pale grey of the cabinetry and the rustic, scrubbed wood of the table give the space a laid-back vibe, while large lamps soften the ceiling spotlights on winter afternoons and dark evenings.
Discover what makes a sunroom an orangery
Cosy it up in winter
When the weather is warm and sunny, we don’t tend to view the conservatory as a cosy room, but more as a light-filled window onto the outside world. But there’s no reason the space can’t do both jobs. Thanks to the carpet, comfortable sofas, pretty wallpaper and open fire, this conservatory has been transformed into a super-snug bolthole for cooler days.
When the weather is warm and sunny, we don’t tend to view the conservatory as a cosy room, but more as a light-filled window onto the outside world. But there’s no reason the space can’t do both jobs. Thanks to the carpet, comfortable sofas, pretty wallpaper and open fire, this conservatory has been transformed into a super-snug bolthole for cooler days.
Update a classic
This charming, painted-wood conservatory is a classic, timber-frame design that will look great for years to come. But this space has subtly been brought up to date with modern takes on traditional sunroom pieces: the natural rattan furniture is a boxy shape, and the pendant light is a show-stopping contemporary design.
This charming, painted-wood conservatory is a classic, timber-frame design that will look great for years to come. But this space has subtly been brought up to date with modern takes on traditional sunroom pieces: the natural rattan furniture is a boxy shape, and the pendant light is a show-stopping contemporary design.
Bump up the light levels
A glass-roofed extension or conservatory is naturally light and bright. But make sure it’s a welcoming space in the evenings and on gloomier days, too, by adding plenty of artificial light. Places for spotlights are limited, but take this as an opportunity – this Moroccan-style glass lantern adds a pretty note to the modern space, working as decoration in the daytime as well as illumination at night.
A glass-roofed extension or conservatory is naturally light and bright. But make sure it’s a welcoming space in the evenings and on gloomier days, too, by adding plenty of artificial light. Places for spotlights are limited, but take this as an opportunity – this Moroccan-style glass lantern adds a pretty note to the modern space, working as decoration in the daytime as well as illumination at night.
Throw down a rug
Stone floors are a good choice for the conservatory, as they are practical, stylish and can be carried through to the garden for a seamless look. You can warm up stone tiles with underfloor heating, but throwing down a patterned rug makes the space look, as well as feel, cosier.
Stone floors are a good choice for the conservatory, as they are practical, stylish and can be carried through to the garden for a seamless look. You can warm up stone tiles with underfloor heating, but throwing down a patterned rug makes the space look, as well as feel, cosier.
Add warm spots to a cool space
If you’re a modernist through and through, this ultra-slick conservatory is a gift. The mammoth panes of glass and minimal framework are breathtaking. The transparent dining table and chairs have been chosen to fit in almost invisibly, but the rich velvet sofas with sweetie-coloured cushions are loud and proud and say this is a space for reclining and enjoying the view.
If you’re a modernist through and through, this ultra-slick conservatory is a gift. The mammoth panes of glass and minimal framework are breathtaking. The transparent dining table and chairs have been chosen to fit in almost invisibly, but the rich velvet sofas with sweetie-coloured cushions are loud and proud and say this is a space for reclining and enjoying the view.
Consider blinds
These classic French pinoleum blinds, handwoven from delicate strips of reed, do double duty in this conservatory. They filter sunshine in the summer months, keeping temperatures down, but also cosy up the space in winter and on dark evenings. Barely there in translucent cream, they add to the elegant mood.
TELL US…
How have you tackled the design and decoration of your conservatory? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
These classic French pinoleum blinds, handwoven from delicate strips of reed, do double duty in this conservatory. They filter sunshine in the summer months, keeping temperatures down, but also cosy up the space in winter and on dark evenings. Barely there in translucent cream, they add to the elegant mood.
TELL US…
How have you tackled the design and decoration of your conservatory? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
A south-facing conservatory will create the sunniest spot for mealtimes. These owners have made the most of that fact and fitted a comfortable bench that’s almost a sofa – designed for lingering. The low-hung pendant lights and hits of crimson ensure a warm vibe even on dull days.