While conservatories are a great addition to any home, they can quickly become outdated, too hot or look tacky if you don’t use appealing materials.
Many people don’t even use their conservatories as the temperature management fluctuates dramatically from the summer or the winter. You start to think, why do I bother if I can’t use it all year-round?
And then the room either becomes a dumping ground for possessions and laundry or a room that looks functional, but nobody ever enters.
If you look at your conservatory and feel uninspired, you may want to think about revamping it for the summer months.
Is It An Extension of the House or Garden?
The first thing you’ll want to consider is whether you want your conservatory to be an extension of your home or garden, as this will determine what function the room serves and how you decorate it.
For example, if you plan to use the room as a dining area, having plants growing in the corner could dampen your appetite, or the glaring sun might mean you can’t see your Sunday roast.
How Will You Use the Room?
Before you start any work on your conservatory, you need to decide what type of room you want it to be. There are plenty of options available to you, but your choice will depend on your lifestyle and living situation.
Some people love having a big kitchen and want to open up the conservatory to extend their current kitchen. Other people love the connection to nature and relaxation that a yoga room provides, and others want a place they can send the kids to while they relax!
Think about the practicalities. Turning your conservatory into a living room may seem like a good idea until nobody can see the TV because of the sun or picture themselves in a relaxing downward dog, only to be sweating uncontrollably because of the heat five minutes later.
Read: 7 Ways to Use a Converted Conservatory
Consider the Shape of the Conservatory
The shape of the conservatory will contribute to how you use the room and what style you choose. There are a few main styles, and your conservatory should fit into one of them. They are:
- Lean-to
- Double hip
- Edwardian
- Victorian
- Lettered
You’ll also want to consider the material on your roof:
- Polycarbonate roofs – traditional and cheapest material, but isn’t the best in terms of quality.
- Glass roofs – looks beautiful but can overheat quickly.
- Tiled roofs – looks like a part of the house, controls temperature well
- Hybrid roofs – a tile combination with a skylight, so you still get some light passing through.
Read: What Are the Different Types of Conservatory Roof Options?
What Interior Design Styles Do You Like?
If you’re giving your conservatory a new lease of life, you’ll want it to feel like home, so getting the style that suits you is crucial.
If your home is in a boho or shabby style, then going for something super contemporary could make your home look disjointed – consider the look of your home, especially the adjoining room.
If you aren’t much of an interior designer, you can make it easy by going for something classic or modern:
- Traditional – materials that don’t fade from too much sunlight, wicker and rattan furniture. Lots of beige, cream and earthy colours.
- Contemporary – neutral base colours with a ‘pop’ of something brighter or deeper. Simple furniture pieces and experimentation with wools, wood and other materials.
Learn: Interior Design Ideas for Your Conservatory
How Will You Solve the Problem of Temperature Fluctuations?
If you’ve owned your conservatory, you’ll understand the perils of intense heat and cold that come with weather changes in the UK.
As the sun shines into your conservatory, it heats it; and if the temperature is warm anyway, it’ll have an even more significant effect.
The sun can cause damage to furniture by fading it, and it can make floors warp and bubble. But the main problem is the fact that you can’t use it because it feels like you’re in a sauna.
You wouldn’t want to spend your time planning a transformation to discover your new sitting room is only used 30% of the year. Here are some ways you can control the temperature in your conservatory:
- New conservatory roof – an all year round solution, a conservatory roof is made from tile or slate, so it looks like an extension of your house. Protects from heat and cold.
- Curtains and blinds – an easy solution, popping curtains and blinds up will take the room’s temperature down, and can come in your style. It isn’t a year-round solution, though.
- UV film – helps to keep out the suns UV rays and lowers the room’s temperature, but they don’t look great.
- Air conditioning – an air conditioning unit will keep a continuous flow of cool air in the room, but they’re expensive and can be loud.
- Furnishing choice – lighter furniture colours won’t absorb as much heat, whereas darker colours make the room hotter. We wouldn’t advise using this tactic on its own.
Read: 6 Ways to Keep Your Conservatory Cool in the Summer
Do You Want to Add Value to Your House?
Every homeowner likes to see values go up rather than down, and if you’re revamping your conservatory with that in mind, you’ll want to take careful consideration into which option you’ll go for.
If you don’t want to increase value, focus on your furnishings such as curtains and blinds, or go for the low-cost option UV film. If you’re going to increase your home price, consider installing a dual air-con system or a conservatory roof.
Is a Conservatory Roof Worth it?
If you want a revamp with longevity, we think a conservatory roof is well worth the investment. Unlike cheaper, quicker alternatives, a new roof:
- Makes the conservatory available 365 days a year
- Create an entirely new room and living space
- Conservatory roofs look beautiful and you can match them with the design of your house
- A conservatory roof can add value to your home
- Allows you to create something unique with interior design
- Saves you money on heating bills
- It keeps you on the right side of building regulation requirements
Are You Ready to Start Your Summer Revamp?
If you’re ready to start your conservatory revamp, find out how a SupaLite Tiled Roof System can help you create your dream room by viewing our best-selling products:
