A conservatory serves as an extension of your home, offering the unique advantage of being immersed in nature while maintaining the comfort of indoor living. How you design this space can transform it from a rarely used area with closed doors to a simple extension of your living area, blending in perfectly with the rest of your home.
Finding ideas for how you would like to style your conservatory can be tricky. It is a personal choice that can vary from person to person depending on multiple factors such as: what you are using the space for, what the decor inside your house is, your location, the size of the space and many more.
Looking at conservatory design ideas helps find unique interior design suggestions, shows how to blend functionality with style and allow you to visualise the conservatory to check if it’s the right fit for you.
We take a look at 25 distinct and creatively designed conservatories, each showcasing its own style and personality.
25 Conservatory Design Ideas
- Small space, big impact
- Cosy comfort
- Personal touches
- Bringing the outdoors in through colour
- Functional design
- Green oasis
- Colour splash
- Al fresco dining
- Stay comfortable
- Preserve your style
- Blending in
- Practical flooring
- Sunny spaces
- Calm retreat
- Botanical design
- Kitchen extensions
- Total relaxation
- Minimalist living
- Make an entrance
- Smart storage
- Light and airy
- Make the most of your space
- Add contrast
- Flexible furnishings
- Creative lighting
Small space, big impact
Make the most of every inch in your small conservatory by maximising the functionality of the space with clever storage solutions. Use multifunctional furniture pieces like storage ottomans or benches to keep clutter hidden and create a spacious feel. Check out this example for inspiration – Homebase offers instructions on how to create your own storage bench.
Cosy comfort
Add warmth and comfort to your conservatory with oversized cushions, soft throws, and rugs. Choose furniture with padded seating for added cosiness, and pick natural materials like wood and rattan to create a rustic feel.
Personal touches
Pay attention to detail by including decorative elements that reflect your personal style. Consider adding artwork, plants, or decorative lighting fixtures to add to the design of your conservatory. Take inspiration from this example of thoughtful conservatory decor.
Bringing the outdoors in through colour
Continue your connection with nature by adding some elements of the outdoors into your conservatory design. Choose earthy colour palettes, natural textures, and botanical prints to create a calm atmosphere reflecting the garden. Check out this example of a conservatory that brings the outdoors in:
Functional design
Put practicality first by optimising space and layout to suit your lifestyle needs. Create designated areas for different activities such as socialising, dining, or reading, and ensure that furniture arrangements allow for easy movement and accessibility.
Here’s an example of a conservatory with a functional design that has been adapted as a home office space with a seating area.
Green oasis
Create a peaceful retreat blended with nature by filling your conservatory with lots of greenery. Incorporate hanging baskets, potted plants, and vertical gardens to create an oasis that promotes relaxation and well-being. Check out this example of a conservatory transformed into a green oasis.
Colour splash
Add personality and vibrancy to your conservatory with bursts of colour. Choose bold accent pieces, colourful cushions, or statement artwork to inject energy and character into your space.
Take a look at this colourful conservatory with a vibrant palette that brings warmth through the accessories and furnishings.
Al fresco dining
Build a welcoming space for indoor-outdoor dining by incorporating a dining area into your conservatory design. Pick a sturdy dining table and chairs that can withstand the varying temperatures and accessorise with tableware and linens to set the scene. Here’s an example of a conservatory designed for al fresco dining.
Stay comfortable
Ensure year-round comfort in your conservatory by installing climate control solutions such as ceiling fans, air conditioning, thermal roof panels, or heating systems. Consider using blinds or shades to regulate sunlight and temperature and invest in comfortable seating options for lounging.
Preserve your style
When considering accessories and fittings for your conservatory – remember the practicality element. Add something that offers protection for your furnishings and decor from sun damage by using fade-proof materials and finishes. Choose fabrics, paints, and finishes that are UV-resistant and durable, and rotate cushions and rugs regularly to minimise fading. Take a look at shades and blinds that can minimise sun damage, like these solar control sails:
Shade Plus: https://www.shadeplus.co.uk/
Blending in
Design your conservatory to match the natural surroundings by choosing materials and finishes that complement the exterior of your home. Select cohesive colour palettes, architectural details, and landscaping elements that create a smooth transition between indoors and outdoors. Take inspiration from this example of a conservatory that fits with its surroundings.
Practical flooring
Select conservatory flooring that is both practical and stylish for your conservatory. Choose easy-to-clean options like tiles, laminate, or vinyl that can take foot traffic and moisture and add warmth and texture with area rugs or runners. Here’s an example of practical flooring in a conservatory design with easy, clean tiles that run into the outdoor space:
Sunny spaces
Maximise natural light in your conservatory whenever possible by choosing window treatments that allow sunlight to filter through while keeping privacy and comfort. Use sheer curtains, blinds, or shutters that can be adjusted to control light levels throughout the day. Here is a conservatory with sheer blinds to create a nautical feel to the conservatory.
Calm retreat
Create a calm and tranquil atmosphere in your conservatory by first picking a calming colour palette and, secondly, adding soft textures. Choose soothing tones like pastels, neutrals, or muted tones, and layer fabrics like linen, cotton, and wool to add depth and cosiness. Take a look at how pastel tones in the furnishings in this sunroom create a calming atmosphere.
Botanical design
Explore the botanical trend by incorporating botanical prints, patterns, and decorations into your conservatory. Choose botanical-inspired wallpapers, fabrics, and accessories to add a touch of nature to your space and create a fresh and inviting feel. This conservatory uses bold botanical prints on its furniture and blinds paired with a selection of plants:
Source: House to home: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/457256168424542740/
Kitchen extensions
Improve your cooking experience with a conservatory extension that serves as a practical and stylish kitchen space. Include features like kitchen islands, breakfast bars, and ample storage to create a practical and efficient cooking environment. Here’s an example of a conservatory kitchen extension.
Total relaxation
Create a peaceful hideaway within your home by transforming your conservatory into a relaxation zone. Choose comfortable seating options like lounge chairs, daybeds, or hammocks, and add soft furnishings like cushions, throws, and blankets for added comfort. Take a look at this relaxing swing seat that can be used to unwind after a busy day.
Minimalist living
To ensure your conservatory appears clean and tidy, adopt the principles of minimalism and keep your conservatory design simple and clutter-free. Choose sleek furniture, clean lines, and neutral colour palettes to create a sense of calm and serenity in your space.
Make an entrance
Make a statement with your conservatory entrance by incorporating welcoming elements like lighting, greenery, and decor. Choose a focal point, such as a statement door or feature wall and use plants to accessorise. Again, look at lighting fixtures, and artwork to create a warm and inviting ambience. Take inspiration from this example of a welcoming conservatory entrance.
Smart storage
If your conservatory is used as a space that requires equipment or houses lots of items, organisation with clever storage solutions will be an important feature to keep it both practical and stylish. Incorporate built-in shelving, cabinets, and storage benches to keep clutter at bay and create a tidy and functional environment.
Light and airy
Create a bright and breezy atmosphere in your conservatory with light colour palettes, reflective surfaces, and cleverly placed lighting. Choose light colours like whites, creams, and pastels to maximise natural light and create a sense of spaciousness. This conservatory uses whites and creams to help bounce the light around the room and create a bright environment.
Source: Good Homes – https://www.goodhomesmagazine.com/living-room/conservatory-decor-ideas/
Make the most of your space
If your conservatory suits – create intimate nooks and corners within your conservatory for moments of quiet reflection. Choose cosy seating options like armchairs, chaise lounges, or reading alcoves, and add personal touches like cushions, throws, and artwork to create a quiet spot. Have a look at these reading nook ideas from Better Homes and Gardens that could be built into your conservatory.
Add contrast
Experiment with bringing darker colours into the conservatory to create a statement. The contrast with the bright natural light and the dark accent colours will make the area really stand out. Take inspiration from this example of bold, dark colours used to create a sophisticated feel.
Flexible furnishings
Style with pieces that offer flexibility and versatility in your conservatory design with modular and adaptable furniture pieces. Choose furniture that can be easily rearranged to accommodate different activities and layouts, and invest in multifunctional furniture pieces like folding tables, nesting tables, and convertible sofas.
Creative lighting
Play with the ambience in your conservatory by exploring lighting options that add warmth and character to your space. Choose a mix of ambient, low, and accent lighting to create layers of light and highlight architectural features, artwork, and focal points.
Tips for your conservatory design
Bringing your conservatory design ideas to life requires careful planning and attention to detail. Here are some top tips:
- Start by assessing your needs and lifestyle to decide how you’ll use your conservatory.
- Consider the architectural style of your home and the surrounding landscape when designing your conservatory.
- Choose materials and finishes that are durable, weather-resistant, and easy to maintain.
- Include elements of nature and greenery to create a peaceful and inviting atmosphere.
- Pay attention to lighting, ventilation, and climate control to ensure year-round comfort.
- Personalise your space with decorations, artwork, and accessories that reflect your personality and style.
With some small changes and by adding a few key pieces, you can design a beautiful and practical space that will add another great room to your home.
Styling your conservatory into a fresh and inviting room is easier than you think. With a little bit of planning and some inspiration from creative design ideas, you can create a space that fits your lifestyle and revives your space.
For more conservatory design ideas, visit our blog.
