Conservatory furniture ideas to revitalise your extension
Looking for conservatory furniture ideas? We've got you covered. Explore 10 types of furniture that can turn your conservatory into a domestic haven.
Are you furnishing your conservatory and looking for inspiration? As with all kinds of interior design, it can be an overwhelming process as well as an exciting one. The sheer range of styles and products on offer can leave you with a headache induced by analysis paralysis.
One way to carve a path through this jungle of choice is to clearly establish what your conservatory's prime function is.
A conservatory can be a place to entertain or a place to unwind. It can be where you do your yoga or where you pot your plants. It can be a home office or a TV room. Keeping its function at the front of your mind can be helpful when investigating the plethora of options available.
In this article, we take a whistle-stop tour of ten ways you can maximise your conservatory's potential with furniture – from classic styles to more contemporary options.
1. Rattan furniture
One of the most pleasant things about a conservatory is the way it brings the outdoors in. A conservatory can be a liminal space, half-exterior, half-interior, combining the best of both worlds.
It's perhaps for this reason that rattan (and cane) furniture is such a staple of conservatory furniture. Those wicker-like plaits have a rustic yet sophisticated feel that can blend in seamlessly with your plants.
2. Modular sofas
Looking to host a large group in your extension? A modular sofa could be the way forward. It's a great way to ensure adequate comfy seating for large groups – and perfect for restlessly creative homeowners who want to try out different room layouts with ease.
Your sofa could be in any style, of course – from rustic greens and browns to bold, contemporary maroons and reds. It all depends on the vibe you want to create and the impression you want to make on your guests.
3. Victorian style
If you've got the budget, why not explore the wonderful world of Victorian furniture?
Conservatories date back to ancient Roman times, but they're inextricably linked to the Victorian era: a time when gardening was a middle-class status symbol and conservatories were built to impress.
Upholstered rosewood or walnut armchairs and vintage tables are undeniably classy and can pair well with your conservatory's steel (or steel-look) frame.
Such an aesthetic can be especially appealing if your conservatory is a place to entertain visitors as well as somewhere to unwind on your own. Of course, it doesn't have to be in a Victorian style. You could get a large dining table and chairs in any style to create a hospitable, elegant atmosphere – one enhanced, perhaps, by painting or wallpapering the retaining wall.
4. Swing chairs
This item of furniture goes by several names: the swing chair, egg chair or hanging chair. This free-standing, swinging cocoon is somewhere between an armchair and a hammock.
As well as being in vogue, it's ideal if you want a lightweight but comfortable piece of furniture that can be moved in and outdoors at the drop of a hat.
5. Lamps and other lighting
After hours, conservatories can be the perfect spot for a romantic meal or drink. Dim the lights, set a table lamp or floor lamp and perhaps fire up the wood burner or add some sparkling string lights.
The result? A cosy, intimate space to unwind in.
6. Benches
In Édouard Manet's 1879 oil painting
In the Conservatory,
a woman sits on a dark bench made of what appears to be wood. A man, possibly her husband, slouches darkly over its back. To their left is a vase of pink flowers. Behind them is a forest of plants.
It's a good look. Getting a bench in your conservatory can create a sense of vintage charm or, if you go for a Scandinavian-style wood bench, an air of contemporary minimalism.
7. Potting tables
If you're a keen gardener and primarily use your conservatory as an extension of your gardening life, why not set a potting table in the centre?
But conservatory plant life doesn't end there. You could add hanging plants to a pole on the ceiling or train climbing plants up the walls.
Conservatories give you plenty of scope to experiment with plants. Whether you want a lush jungle or something more homely, the conservatory can be a blank canvas for you to throw ideas at.
8. Create the illusion of space
One of glass's best properties is its ability to create space. A conservatory will always feel spacious thanks to the masses of sunlight it lets in. But one way of making your extension feel even bigger is to furnish it in all-white – especially if the frame is all-white too.
9. Window seats
If conservatories are good for one thing, it's sunlight. Getting a comfortable window seat lets you curl up like a cat in the sunshine. Moreover, window seats are ideal for patterned cushions and throws – accessories that can help put a personal stamp on your extension.
Finally, a window seat can be a great way to create hidden storage space – and as any homeowner will tell you, more storage space is not something to be sniffed at.
10. Rugs
Not strictly furniture, of course, but if you want your conservatory to be cosy rather than rugged, a rug can soften the space (and help keep your feet warm).
What's more, an outdoor rug in your conservatory can help bridge the gap between inside and outside.
Conclusion
One of the best things about conservatories is their versatility – a quality that's reflected in the wide range of furnishings available. Whether you want an indoor garden or an outdoor room, your furnishing choices can make a huge difference. We wish you all the best in your explorations!
Calder Windows is an experienced
conservatory installer based near Wakefield, West Yorkshire. If you want to invest in a beautiful, long-lasting conservatory,
get in touch for a quick, competitive quote.
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