Eight Conservatory Design Mistakes to Avoid

If you’re running out of practical living space in your home, building a conservatory is a good way to solve the problem. Conservatories are usually quicker to put up than a small extension and as they’re glazed, they give you an uninterrupted view of the garden and help to bring natural light into your home. Plus, there are options for big and small budgets with a small lean-to conservatory costing around £4,000, a Victorian-style conservatory around £9,000, and a large orangery around £20,000.

But regardless of whether you plan to spend a small or large amount on your conservatory, you want to get the design right. Here are eight mistakes you should avoid.

Not considering its function

It’s virtually impossible to make any conservatory design decisions if you don’t know what you’re planning to use the conservatory for. You probably know that you need more space, but exactly how much?

To answer this, ask yourself where the biggest pressure points are. For instance, it might be a lack of space in the kitchen, meaning it’s hard to dine as a family. Once you’ve determined this, then you can start working out the design basics.

Putting it in the wrong location

Often, a failure to consider function means that you end up with a conservatory being built in completely the wrong location. If it’s dining space you’re after, then you want to build the conservatory as close to the kitchen as feasibly possible. But if you’re after a quiet space for relaxing or homeworking, then you might want it to be built away from the main hub of the home.

Failing to think about size and shape

Another reason to decide the function of your conservatory is to ensure you choose the right size and shape. But this is one element that people often get wrong.

Think about what furniture needs to fit inside it and how you want it arranged, as this will help you work out the right size and shape for your needs. After all, if you can’t fit a large table and chairs into the space with ease, then it’s not going to work as a family dining space.

Overlooking openings

When it comes to conservatories, openings are incredibly important. However, this is something that’s frequently overlooked.

Firstly, you need to think about how you’ll access the conservatory from inside the home. If you’re happy with some separation, then you should be fine with a lean-to conservatory that’s accessed from a door off your kitchen or lounge. But if you want the conservatory to extend the lounge or kitchen, then you may wish to create a much wider opening in your exterior wall.

There’s also the access to the garden to consider. Where is best to place the door? This opening needs to work with your furniture layout, so the access isn’t blocked or awkward. You also need to work out what type of door is most fitting for the room. If your conservatory is to be a social space, you might prefer double or bi-folding doors to create a seamless transition to the patio.

Not factoring in insulation

Conservatories can get a bit chilly in winter and often have the opposite problem in the summer. But factoring in some insulation will help you to avoid this problem.

There are a few ways to do this, so it’s worth discussing it with your conservatory fitter. You could go with a solid roof and build insulation into this. You might also opt for solid brick walls around the base and PIR insulation boards on the floor. For the windows, you might decide to have fitted thermal blinds.

Getting the glazing wrong

If you want to maximise the glazing, rather than go with a solid roof, then you need to choose the right type.

Solar control film can prevent a conservatory from getting too hot and help protect furnishings from UV damage. So, if the back of your home gets a lot of sun in the daytime, this might be the best option.

There are other options to consider though. Tinted glazing can also help shield you from the sun’s glare. It will also add more privacy. In cooler climates, you may benefit more from triple glazing to improve insulation and low-E glass to minimise heat loss. If your garden is shady or has overhanging trees, you may wish to fit self-cleaning glass to simplify maintenance.

Not having adequate heating

It’s clear that conservatories can get cold in winter. So, not installing adequate heating is also a mistake.

Just one panel heater or radiator might not be enough to keep the whole space comfortable. Skirting radiators, underfloor heating or trench heating might work better as they distribute warmth more evenly and don’t take up space.

Selecting a style that clashes with your home

It’s not purely practical elements that you need to consider with your conservatory design. How it looks also matters. All too often conservatories look out of place because the style clashes with the house.

So, when you’re choosing a conservatory, think about matching it to your home. For instance, if you have a period property, you might go with a Victorian or Edwardian-style conservatory. Similarly, you might choose arched or black frames to match the windows of your home.