5 top tips to make your conservatory usable this year
Do you view your conservatory as a carbuncle attached to the back of your house or as the best investment you ever made? Views are split, and a bit like Marmite, people seem to either love them or loathe them.
The crux of the matter for many is that they simply aren't making the best use of their conservatory; it's become a dumping ground at worst and at best a glorified greenhouse. Don't let your conservatory go to waste, take a look at our tips on how to make your conservatory usable this year, it may just be the best interior design you do.
Give it a sense of purpose
Half the problem with conservatories is having a lack of identity, especially if you've inherited one. Just like any other room in your home a conservatory needs an identity if it's going to function correctly. The top 5 uses for conservatories are:
- Dining room: Conservatories make ideal dining rooms as typically they're cool first thing in the morning for breakfast and are cooling down in time for supper.
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- Playroom: Many families use their conservatory as a place for children to play.
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3: Extra living room: A room without a television is great for families; enabling those who want a little peace and quiet the ideal space to get away from it all without having to leave the home or banish themselves to the bedroom.
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- Kitchen extension: As the hub of the home small kitchens can be extended into the conservatory, more especially if they contain a breakfast bar.
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- Home office: With more and more of us working from home it makes logical sense to turn a conservatory into a home office.
Control the heat
The problem with many conservatories is that they're too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Giving careful consideration to heating will make your conservatory usable year-round. Underfloor heating is probably the most effective, but it's also expensive. Alternative options are low radiators or free-standing radiators. For cooling, it may be worth investing in a ceiling fan; it may not actually cool the room but it will help to move the air around make it feel less hot and stuffy. Heat reflecting ceiling blinds are also a good investment. 
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Control the light
Being blinded by bright sunlight will not only make the conservatory unbearably hot it can also hurt your eyes. Window and ceiling blinds are the right way to go. Made to measure aren't as expensive as they sound if you shop around. 
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Choose the right flooring
Once your conservatory has been given an identity you can choose the most appropriate flooring. A children's playroom, kitchen or dining room needs a flooring that's easy to clean such as vinyl; you can always soften the look with rugs. A living room or home office can have carpet if you prefer. Also choose appropriate flooring if you have underfloor heating. 
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Give careful consideration to décor
You may be tempted to go for white, pale colours, but remember the room will be flooded with natural light so you can go for darker shades and hues without fear of making the room look to claustrophobic. 
