• Pinterest searches for ‘Conservatory ideas’ are up by 71% in the last 3 months as we look towards the summer months
• Mark Holloway, Founder at furniture and design experts Holloways of Ludlow has shared 6 ways to design your summer room 

If designed properly, your conservatory can offer a space all year round to relax, entertain and socialise in – especially throughout the summer months. 

However, many conservatories often get neglected over winter, often requiring a spring refresh to get them looking great again. 

To help, Mark Holloway, Founder at furniture and design experts at Holloways of Ludlow shares his  advice on designing your conservatory to make the most of it. 

1. Plan your conservatory layout

Mark says: “We always recommend approaching your conservatory room design the same as you would for any other room, especially if you want to use your space all year round. 

“Map out where larger pieces of furniture such as sofas, armchairs and dining tables will be placed and then work around this. This will help you make the most out of your space, without overcrowding it. 

“Once these are in place, add in lighting, coffee tables, lamps and details such as artwork or mirrors to help the room work for both relaxing and socialising. 

“If your conservatory looks onto garden views consider opting for low furniture to help make the green outside the focal point.”

2. Improve the flow between rooms

“Conservatories can sometimes feel separate from the rest of the rooms in your home so improve the flow by blending colour schemes and interior choices if you want it to feel like a true extension of your home” says Mark.

“Whether your home uses a soft, neutral colour palette or embraces bold shades, conservatories get a lot of sunlight so both dark and muted shades work well.

“Creams, whites, light greys paired with coastal blues, sage green or blush pink are great shades to give your conservatory a timeless feel. 

“Choose furniture that you would use in your living room to create a seamless transition between your spaces. This will help you use the space for entertaining all year round too. 

“Another simple way to make your conservatory feel like an extension of your home is to continue flooring choices throughout to tie the space together.”

3. Consider the materials of conservatory furniture

Mark advises: “While living room furniture can be used in a conservatory, consider the materials of each piece.

“Conservatories see light and temperature fluctuations, so opting for furniture that can withstand these changes will help to ensure they last longer. 

“Cord, rattan, wood and metal are great options as they are resilient and durable yet also help to create the sense of bringing the outdoors in. 

“Our new Cord Palissade range features a handwoven recycled polyester cord that fits seamlessly into any outdoor environment while embracing a soft and inviting aesthetic. Weatherproof and stylish, it’s a practical choice for gardens, conservatories and patios.

“If you intend on using your conservatory as a dining space, marble top tables are a great choice and help to illuminate the light around the room.

“For a cosy feel, layer up materials. For example, add a faux fur throw over benches or sofas to add interest through texture.”

4. Make the most out of a small floor plan

Mark suggests: “If you’re short on space, use outdoor garden furniture in your conservatory. This will allow you to easily move this between outdoor and indoor spaces and means you don’t have to store additional furniture inside over the winter months, helping to declutter your space. 

“Compact bistro tables or a lightweight table set and chairs are a good option as they can be placed out of sight when not in use too. 

“Help to create the illusion of a bigger space by adding mirrors to reflect the light around the room and to bounce colour and greenery from your garden inside too.”

5. Create different ‘zones’ for a multi-functional space

Your conservatory can have many different uses, especially throughout the summer months. 

Mark says:  “Consider creating different ‘zones’ in your space to help your conservatory work for various purposes. 

“For example, add an overhead light to a lounge corner to make the space work for relaxing or reading. 

“If you’ve got space to incorporate a dining area, consider placing this on top of a rug to help define this space and separate it from the rest of your space. 

“Painting a corner or backdrop is also a great way to carve out an area. If space allows, you can even add a slim desk and chair to add a workspace area with garden views.”

6. Blend the inside with the outside 

“Finding ways to blend your summer room with your garden is a great way to make the most out of your conservatory over the summer months,” explains Mark.

“Choose the same tiles outside and inside to tie the spaces together. This especially brings the spaces together if indoor and outdoor spaces are on the same level. 

“On warm days, add outdoor furniture to your patio or garden to act as an extension of your conservatory space to help improve the flow between the two spaces. You might want to consider adding an outdoor rug to your conservatory over the summer months as a more durable option to truly embrace indoor-outdoor living.”