Top 10 Conservatory Ideas

Perhaps your home is large enough for a combined conservatory style or maybe you have a period, country-style house which is in need of a classic touch. No matter your conservatory style, we have plenty of conservatory ideas to transform your space.

Modern Conservatory Ideas

Conservatory designs are now more sophisticated than ever before, with conservatory extensions now treated as an integral part of the home. They are no longer considered a bolt-on structure, with rooms now designed to be used all year round.

These new and improved versatile spaces come in a multitude of conservatory styles and can be used for almost any purpose, from dining areas, kitchens, studies and living areas.

If you are looking to create the perfect conservatory space for your home then read on for our top 10 conservatory ideas.

10 Conservatory Ideas For Your Home

Read our top 10 conservatory ideas for your home below.

1. A Family Conservatory

For that little bit of extra space, turn your conservatory into a fun family room complete with comfy furnishings and a big screen TV.

If you would prefer something a tad more versatile to withstand the everyday activities of messy little hands, then rattan conservatory furniture can be a durable (and chic) addition.

Conservatory Ideas

A Comfortable Playroom

Long gone are the days of the standard small, polycarbonate room which overheats. The modern conservatory can now be equipped with electric, underfloor heating and the latest conservatory roofs for superior energy efficiency as well as ventilation.

A comfortable room to play in no matter the weather, your kids can play contently with their games and toys – keeping the main household mess free.

2. A Kitchen Conservatory

Fancy cooking in a light and airy atmosphere with beautiful views of your garden? Kitchen conservatory projects have become a very popular home improvement in recent years, giving homeowners the opportunity to benefit from a stylish and modern kitchen ideal for contemporary living.

Kitchen Conservatory

The kitchen is often the hub of the home and is often the place where everyone meets and talks about their day. You can even create separate rooms with an added screen to separate your open plan kitchen and conservatory.

Conservatory Kitchen

3. A Unique Dining Room

Create a multipurpose living and dining room which is perfectly balanced for every day, family use.

Conservatory Ideas

Or set-up alfresco style dining with a gorgeous selection of plants. This lush greenery will certainly bring the outdoors in.

Conservatory ideas

Conservatory Ideas

4. A Vintage Style Living Area

A small conservatory provides an ideal space for a cosy living area. Fill your space with comfortable furniture and vintage style fabrics for that country garden feel.

Conservatory Ideas

You can combine vintage floral patterns with wicker or rattan style furniture to further enhance this classic and timeless element.

Or, if you would prefer something a bit more modern with just a touch of that rustic feel, then floral or gingham blinds with neutral furnishings will provide just the right balance.

For those who truly adore the vintage style sunroom, then why not go all out with low sinking comfortable armchairs and a dark oak coffee table.

A brass telescope or old-style globe may take your preference or perhaps a wooden bookcase filled with your favourite reads, whatever you envision for that vintage look, your small conservatory provides the ideal setting.

5. A Modern Home Office

Do you work from home? Move your office to your conservatory for a room with a view. You can create a calm and serene atmosphere with light, neutral colours and potted plants.

conservatory ideas

Sliding patio doors or a set of bi-folding doors will give you wide views of the outside as well as lots of natural lighting. This gives you an indoor-outdoor space to work from which can be perfect for keeping an eye on your children, especially if you’ve been appointed last minute babysitting duties.

6. A Laundry Room

In need of somewhere to hang the washing? A small lean-to conservatory provides a superb space for doing the daily chores. A small glass lean-to conservatory will capture the sun brilliantly, drying clothes in an instant – well almost.

Conservatory-Ideas

If you are fortunate enough to have a tumble dryer, why not free up some kitchen space and store both washing machine and dryer in one place.

Adding some homely touches will give this type of conservatory a more cosy feel, making a cute and comfortable laundry room.

You might want to add some seating accompanied by a magazine stand full of the latest reads. Sit back, relax and take in some ‘me’ time whilst you wait to put in the next load.

7. An Open Plan Conservatory

 An open plan conservatory presents many possibilities such as a living room, kitchen extension, utility room, garden room or breakfast room.
conservatory ideas
Above is a traditional-style conservatory which has been added onto the back of property to create a bright and airy living room extension.

8. A Botanical Room

Need a touch of greenery in your life? With a fresh palette of greens and earthy hues, you can create the feel of the great outdoors.

conservatory ideas

Place beautiful plants, potted herbs or faux foliage around your conservatory for a hint of that summer garden.

9. A Craft Room

If you are a lover of your arts and crafts, then turning your conservatory space into an artistic den is a fab idea for bringing out the creative in you.

The natural lighting of a conservatory will be a blessing and the added space will be very helpful when it comes to storing your crafts and materials.
A conservatory will provide you with the wall space you need for drawers and purpose build cupboards, allowing you to organise and store your crafts and materials.

10. A Home Gym

If you have an idle conservatory then why not convert it into your very home gym or studio? A set of bi-folding doors will allow you to open up your conservatory for excellent ventilation and give you a refreshing view of the outside.

Stretch into some yoga moves in the morning sun or lift some weights whilst watching some sporting highlights on your mounted TV. Who needs to pay for a gym when you could have a bespoke workout room in your garden?

Get More Than Just Conservatory Ideas – Get A Price!

If you are looking for more than just conservatory ideas, then we offer lots of conservatory advice on styles, planning permission and even instant online pricing.

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Frequently Asked Conservatory Questions

IThe majority of conservatories with a tiled conservatory roof will not require planning permission. This is because they are covered under what is known as a 'permitted development.'

However, Building Regulations will apply if you want to build an extension on your home.

Whether you are looking to invest in a brand-new conservatory, or just wanting to replace your existing conservatory roof, there are many conservatory roofing options available. The most popular conservatory roof materials are:
  • Solid Roofs
  • Glass
  • Polycarbonate

Solid Conservatory Roofs

If you are looking to achieve a more contemporary appearance, then a solid conservatory roof provides the perfect combination of conservatory and home extension. This conservatory roof option allows you to make use of the space you have, providing you with a living area you can use all year round.

Worried about light? Roof windows or glazed panels can be incorporated into the design, enhancing natural light for a light and airy feel. A lightweight tiled roof conservatory is also up to 15 times more thermally efficient than any other roof.

Polycarbonate Conservatory Roofs

Polycarbonate Roof Ideal for those on a tighter budget, a polycarbonate is often seen as a cost-effective option to roof glazing. They come in many different options such as different colours, shading and U-Values.

Typical colours include Bronze, Clear and Opal.

Glass Conservatory Roofs

Glass conservatory roofs are a popular choice because they provide great temperature control. They help to prevent your conservatory from being too hot in the Summer and too cold in the Winter.

It can also be specified with self-cleaning properties, helping to keep roof maintenance to a minimum.

In most instances the council tax will not increase on a property unless the additions another living quarter or self-contained annex. This means the addition of a conservatory should not increase the council tax payable on a property. To be absolutely certain you can always check the government's website which gives advice on council tax.
The main difference between a conservatory and an orangery is how the roof is constructed. A conservatory roof is over 75% glazed whereas an orangery roof has less than this amount. A conservatory also has over half of its wall space glazed whereas an orangery can include more brickwork than this.
Yes, you can put a conservatory on the front of your house. This is because conservatories come under the category of a permitted development. As such in most instances you do not need planning permission. This applies if the area surrounding the original house is not more than 50% covered by other buildings or additions.
The majority of conservatory roofs can be replaced within the course of a day however, this is dependent on design. A solid conservatory roof with added extras such as lighting, might take longer than a day.

Your chosen conservatory installer will protect any existing finishes during the project so no need to worry about your existing floor being damaged during transformation.

There are many ways of gaining temperature control. Conservatory blinds, ventilating windows, cooling film and air conditioning to name a few. You might also want to consider replacing your conservatory roof with a tiled or solid design.
There are many ways of keeping your conservatory warm in the Winter. If you have a small conservatory then an electric heater will suffice but those with bigger conservatories may want to look into installing underfloor heating.
Glazing is also very important in a conservatory. Most heat can be lost through glass so ensure your conservatory glazing is thermally efficient. You can also tackle draughts or cold spots by installing conservatory blinds.
This will largely depend on your location. You will find that certain areas have different setbacks based on the use of the building. We recommend that you check with your local council or take a look at the Goverment's Planning Portal.

You must notify your neighbour if you want to:

- Build on or at the boundary of your 2 properties - Work on an existing party wall or party structure - Dig below and near to the foundation level of their property
Replacing your conservatory roof can indeed make your conservatory warmer however, this will depend on the type of roof you choose. A solid or tiled conservatory roof will offer greater insulation than a plastic or glazed roof.
A solid roof can be put on a conservatory. There are many solid conservatory roof designs available - just ask your chosen installer for a recommendation. The majority of new-build conservatories with a solid, tiled or glazed roof will not require planning permission. They are covered under what is known as 'permitted development'. However, building regulations will apply if you want to build an extension.
When it comes to your home improvement, it's important to have all the necessary legal documentation. The installation of a conservatory, orangery or porch does not require a FENSA registration form.
The average life span of a uPVC conservatory is largely dependent on the quality of materials and build. Typically, a uPVC frame can last up to 25 years but some can last for decades ensuring they are well maintained.
Planning permissions used to say that a certain percentage of roofing must be translucent in order for a conservatory to be exempt from planning permission. Changes to building regulations however, now means that you may not require planning permission for roof replacement.
Swapping your existing conservarory roof for a tiled or solid roof replacement can be done without needing to file for planning permission. Planning permission may be required however, if the height of your extension is changed following completion.
A conservatory is defined as a 'building that has no less than 75% of its roof area made of translucent material and no less than 50% of its total wall area made of glass.
It is possible to convert a conservatory to an orangery but it isn't a simple process. A surveyor will need to come out and assess your property and conservatory to see if it is at first , feasible.
Both extensions and orangeries often require planning permission and in order to satisfy requirements, a new structure will have to be built.
If a conservatory is within two metres of a boundary, a conservatory should not be higher than three metres. It must also not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 3m if an attached house or by 4m if a detached house.
For construction work to begin a trench will need to be excavated to a minimum depth of 600mm. A conservatory needs footings just as much as any extension does.
Solid ground will need to found first and needs to be accepted by Building Control as being a minimum of 1 metre in standard conditions.
Foundations will need to be dug and because conservatories are lightweight in structure, their foundation loads are usually quite low. This can often lead to the notion that shallow foundations are satisfactory however, shallow foundations are more susceptible to subsidence.

Conservatories that are built with foundations shallower than the Building Regulations advise, are likely to encounter problems.

Building Regulations state:

A2. The building shall be constructed so that ground movement caused by :-
(a) swelling, shrinkage or freezing of the subsoil; or
(b) land-slip or subsidence (other than subsidence arising from shrinkage), in so far as the risk can be reasonably foreseen, will not impair the stability of any part of the building
Usually, there are no planning requirements when it comes to building a conservatory to a bungalow. However, the conservatory will be subject to certain conditions so be sure to check with your local building authority or with the Government's Planning Portal to ensure your conservatory remains within these guidelines.
When is a conservatory not a conservatory? In order for a structure to remain a permitted development (a conservatory), the build needs to comply with a number of rules. A conservatory must be ground level, must not be more than 30m2, must be thermally separated from the original building, have its own heating and have glazing in critical zones that meet Part Nof the building regulations.
An extension refers to an additional structure that is anatomically in-keeping with your main property. An extension often requires planning permission unless it is classified as permitted development and is built with opaque cavity walls and brick-based foundations. Extensions are a big home improvement and investment, needing the work of an architect.
Conservatories or glazed extensions are perfect for those looking to add extra space on a budget. Typically, they are less of a logistical strain and in most cases do not require planning permission,
A conservatory can be built under permitted development rights, not needing an application for planning permission. A conservatory however is subject to the limits and conditions listed here. Building a conservatory onto an extension however, will be subject to different conditions. In some cases and under the permitted development regulations, you cannot attach an extension to an already extended part of a dwelling. It has to be attached to the original walls of the dwelling house.
Conservatories are generally much cheaper than a single-storey extension of the same size. The price difference will largely depend on size and how complex the structure is to build, as well as the quality of materials.
A conservatory or single-story extension can be built without planning permission if: It's a maximum of 4 metres high or 3 metres high, within 2 metres of a boundary and the conservatory or extension does not cover more than half of the garden.
From now until 2019, you can extend outwards by up to 8 metres for detached homes and 6 metres for other property types. For this, instead of applying for planning permission you will need to undergo a Neighbour Consultation Scheme.
In most circumstances, building regulations tend to apply when you build a new extension or a very large structure to your property. However, most of the time, conservatories are exempt from building regulations when they are erected at ground level and the floor surface areas is less than 30 square metres.
The average life expectancy of a conservatory depends on the quality of materials used as well as the installer. Generally speaking a conservatory built with uPVC window and door frames can last up to 25 - 30 years.
It is possible to build either a conservatory or a single-storey extension without gaining planning permission if: firstly, it has a maximum height of 4 metres or 3 metres high if situated within 2 metres of an existing boundary. The conservatory itself does not exceed over half the size of the garden.
Yes you can! Whatever the shape of your existing conservatory, you can be sure that there is a solid roof equivalent to meet your exacting requirements.
Changing roofs from a polycarbonate to a solid roof means that building regulations will apply. Your chosen installer will be able to answer any questions you have and help with any red tape such as contacting local authorities to resolve building regulations compliance.
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