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Transforming your conservatory with furniture to suit your style can truly elevate the space, making it a room to enjoy year-round – whether relaxing or tackling tasks on your computer.
When you're shopping for conservatory furniture, there are several considerations aside from budget. For one, you'll need to think about how open you want the space to be. And do you want a modern or more traditional feel?
These tips will help you transform a bland space into a cosy retreat. You can also discover the best time to buy conservatory furniture if you're looking for a bargain.
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If your house is limited on space, you won't want to overload your conservatory with furnishings. It's better to create a space that flows, particularly if your conservatory has doors that lead out to the garden.
Take a look at our image gallery for inspiration:
Suitable seating is important, especially if you plan on entertaining. Think about how you'll arrange chairs – you might want to consider an L-shaped sofa or two-seaters around a coffee table, for example. See below for more details on conservatory sofas.
Your conservatory should be bathed in light during the day, but investing in lighting for evenings can make a world of difference. A floor lamp or fairy lights in the corner can create a tranquil reading nook, while a ceiling light (or smart lights running on a schedule) will prevent the space from feeling dim and unwelcoming.
When developing the room, you should also consider:
For more on conservatory design, read our guide to conservatory interior ideas
Experiment with a minimalist design if you want to make your conservatory feel more modern – aim for a clutter-free space that uses neutral colours such as whites, greys and beiges. In terms of materials, metal, glass and polished wood should fit well.
A light conservatory sofa pairs well with a darker, oak coffee table, and you can introduce cushions or plants for a hit of colour. A patterned rug will also inject some personality.
Gadgets will help your conservatory to function well. Automated or electric blinds mean you don't have to get up off the sofa; likewise a wi-fi lighting system and Bluetooth speakers can be controlled at the press of a button.
For a traditional look, stick to natural materials. Classic pieces such as wicker chairs and rattan sofas pair well with a wooden table. If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with patterned armchairs.
Consider a muted palette if you want to achieve a traditional look – think shades of cream or pastels.
Wooden storage units can help you fill a corner and add a cosy cottage vibe. Add some lamps and pictures in frames to tables to create a more homely space.
Before buying a sofa or chair for your conservatory, make sure you know exactly how much floor space you're working with. Grab a tape measure if you're unsure and have the measurements to hand when you start shopping.
Ultimately, you don't want your seating to drown the room. Leave plenty of space for you and your guests to move around. Remember that a corner sofa can maximise space in a tight room.
There's a strong chance your conservatory will get hot in summer, so it's important to pick out a sofa or armchair to suit those conditions.
Rattan or wicker are a popular choice; they're natural materials, so they won't heat up in direct sunlight, and lightweight, so you shouldn't have trouble moving them around if you want to swap the layout. Bamboo and willow are also good alternatives.
If you're searching for a fabric chair, make sure the material can withstand long periods of sun exposure so you don't end up with seating that fades over time. Some fabrics can also become weak and more prone to rips.
Modular sofas are worth looking at if you want flexibility and many come with removable cushions or covers for hassle-free cleaning.
Discover 10 ways to keep your conservatory cool
Adding a dining space to your conservatory means you can enjoy sunny breakfasts and lazy summer suppers surrounded by natural light and greenery. Use it year-round and it'll free up space in the main part of your house.
Rattan dining sets are popular for a conservatory and come in many shapes and sizes.
A circular table and chairs will appeal if you don't want to take up much space. Some shapeshifting tables can be folded out to provide extra room if you have more guests than usual.
If you have the space, a large rectangular dining table can be a focal point – just make sure it matches the aesthetic of other furnishings. Opting for bench-style seating means you can push the chairs under the table when you're finished.
Rattan is fast-growing, making it an eco-friendly choice.
You shouldn't have any trouble finding rattan furniture to suit your budget – we've seen armchairs for less than £100. A huge range of retailers stock it, offering single chairs, two-seaters and corner sofas. Popular retailers that sell rattan furniture include Ikea, The Range, Dunelm and John Lewis.
As a big-name brand selling rattan furniture, Ikea stocks the following:
Note that dirt can sometimes get trapped in the crevices of a rattan chair. Get into the habit of regular cleaning to keep your furniture looking its best and avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals.
Some plants are more sensitive to the cold than others, so the degree of heating you provide will dictate the plants you can grow.
Providing your conservatory remains above 5°C during winter, here are three plants to choose from:
If the minimum winter temperature in your conservatory is slightly higher, above 10°C, the choice of plants is far wider. Here are three we recommend:
Many plants enjoy high humidity. If this isn't possible in your conservatory, stand your plants on trays of moist gravel and group them to retain humidity. Since conservatory conditions encourage your plants to grow, be prepared to feed and water them frequently during summer.
According to research from the furniture and furnishings website ufurnish.com, many retailers stock their conservatory furniture in late February. Towards late March, shoppers can take advantage of spring sales and conservatory furniture is often discounted.
Of course, there's nothing stopping you from buying conservatory furniture at other times. You might spot end-of-season discounts around late August or September as retailers try to make room for new stock. Black Friday in November is also an opportunity to snag a bargain (see also: how to avoid fake Black Friday deals).
Shopping in-store will let you see just how comfy a furniture set is, but you might find better deals online – especially if you set up email alerts for specific items. Whether you're shopping online or in store, make sure you pay attention to the returns policy.
Popular online retailers that stock conservatory furniture include:
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