No one could argue that adding a conservatory or garden room to your home is one of the best ways to create a light, airy and comfortable space all year round. Not only providing extra living space but allowing you to enjoy the natural beauty of your garden.
Considering various conservatory furniture ideas is the best way to separate the space between the indoor and outdoor areas, making it into an even more inviting place to spend time in. This is only improved by the furniture choices used, like armchairs, sofas or small tables. This means that you can easily transition from inside to outside when entertaining guests or simply relaxing with family and friends.
What Furniture Should You Use in a Conservatory?
Whether you’re planning to use your conservatory as an extra sitting room, dining room or even a study or playroom, you’ll need to carefully consider not only its design, but also the furniture that you will require for your specific needs.
Rattan or Wicker Furniture
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One popular choice for conservatories and garden rooms is rattan or wicker furniture, due to its resistance to the effects of natural light exposure. It is also lightweight, yet durable enough to handle the temperature changes in your conservatory. This type of furniture has an attractive natural look and can be used both indoors and out, making it perfect for use in a conservatory.
Due to wicker and rattan being durable and long-lasting, you won't have to worry about replacing it anytime soon. This is another reason to make your furniture choices wisely at the outset!
For added comfort, accompany your hard-wearing furniture set with plush cushions and soft fluffy throws.
Fabric Sofas and Chairs
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When looking to furnish a conservatory or garden room, many people overlook fabric sofas and chairs as a possible option. However, fabric furniture can provide an elegant and modern design, while also being comfortable and durable.
From upholstery-style seating to lightweight armchairs, there are plenty of choices when it comes time to decide on the right fabric sofa or chair for your conservatory. Upholstered fabric sofas and chairs come in a variety of styles, from traditional designs with rolled arms and tufted cushions to sleek contemporary forms with low backs and chrome legs.
Consider Different Fabrics
You can also choose from a wide range of fabrics including velvet, linen, chenille and cotton blends. It is recommended to choose fabric furniture made from lighter kinds of cotton and linens for a conservatory as they cope much better with changing temperatures and direct sunlight.
Metal Framed Conservatory Furniture
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With its sleek and timeless design, metal framed furniture can provide a functional yet stylish addition to your conservatory. Whether you’re looking for low-maintenance seating or eye-catching dining sets, metal-framed furniture is an excellent choice.
Metal conservatory furniture is also the perfect way to add a touch of modern design to your space and requires very little maintenance or upkeep, other than occasional cleaning.
The Ideal Choice For The Conservatory
These types of furniture ideas, as with outdoor garden chairs, are also ideal for conservatories because the metal frame can withstand all weather conditions without rusting. Wrought iron and stainless steel frames are both extremely durable and their powder-coated finish will keep them looking shiny and new for longer, making them great value for money in the long run.
It is worth bearing in mind though that metal furniture can become quite cold to the touch in cold weather conditions, and particularly hot when the temperature is high, especially when sat in direct sunlight. This could be a safety consideration if you have small children or pets.
Leather Furniture
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Whether you have just bought a new conservatory or are looking to revamp an existing one, leather furniture can provide the perfect touch of class and sophistication to your decor. Not only is it stylish, but it can also stand up to whatever weather conditions may enter through the windows or doors.
Leather furniture comes in a variety of colours and styles, which makes it easy to find something that matches your decorating style. You can opt for traditional browns or blacks, or go for something more adventurous such as bright reds or greens. Leather furniture is notoriously very comfortable too, so you’ll be able to feel fully relaxed while enjoying the views out from your conservatory.
Please be aware that, from personal experience, I have found that dark leather in particular, can become hot when under direct sunlight as it is especially prone to absorbing heat, even just from the high temperatures that conservatories can reach.
Dining Tables and Chairs
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Conservatories are a great way to bring the outdoors indoors, and dining tables with accompanying chairs are without doubt an essential part of this.
Whether you’re looking for a modern design or something a bit more traditional, wooden dining tables and chairs are a safe bet. Choose from various wood types such as oak, pine or walnut and find the perfect style that suits your taste or compliments the other furniture in your conservatory.
How Can You Add Character?
To add some extra character you could even opt for vintage-style designs, featuring detailed carving or curved legs. For a smaller conservatory space, a bistro-style table with a couple of chairs will suffice, creating a simple but practical area for breakfast, brunch or drinks, whether during the day or evening.
If you want to make the space seem more open and airy, consider using glass as your dining table material of choice. The translucency of the glass will not block the view of the floor and other furniture around it and therefore makes the room feel larger.
Colour Ideas for furniture and soft furnishings
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Colour is an important factor when it comes to decorating a conservatory or garden room, and with furniture and soft furnishings being two of the most important elements in this room, it is important to think about, not only colour but pattern and texture also. These elements can bring out the beauty of the space.
With so many colour options available, it can be difficult to know what colours will work best in your conservatory, so here are some ideas for choosing furniture and soft furnishings that will bring colour into your conservatory without (hopefully) overpowering the room.
Use Bright Colours For a Bold Finish
If bright and vivid colours are your vibe, adding brightly coloured cushions and throws into the mix will instantly lift the atmosphere creating further interest in the space, so don't be afraid to be bold with your choices.
Bright tones like yellow, pink and orange can also create a cheerful atmosphere in your conservatory, while lighter shades like baby blue, green and lavender will provide a more relaxing environment.
Alternatively, for the more reserved homeowner, neutral shades such as white, cream or light grey can be used to give your conservatory an elegant and luxurious look, with the bonus of going with any decor style.
How to create Comfort and Style
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The key to creating a comfortable and stylish conservatory is to choose the right type of conservatory furniture and accessories that not only look great, like this real wood set with a side table and a large coffee table but also make a design statement and provide plenty of comfort.
When considering furniture ideas, use softer covering materials such as leather or linen, then add soft cushions for added comfort and accessorise with bright accents like colourful throw pillows or rugs to add further visual interest.
If you are feeling creative and want to save money at the same time, look into creative ways to revamp conservatory furniture that is already worn in, and potentially comfier than something new. You can then use your skills to update and personalise it to create furniture pieces that fit your style and decor.
How to Make the Most of Your Furniture
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Deciding upon the perfect conservatory furniture set-up can be a tricky business. When done correctly, however, it can add an incredible amount of character and warmth to your home or garden. Making the most of your conservatory furniture is easier than you think and with these simple ideas, you’ll have a beautiful space that will impress guests and make for hours of comfortable lounging in no time.
Consider what type of atmosphere you want to create in your conservatory space. Do you prefer bright colours and bold prints? Or are subtle neutral tones more your style? Deciding on these basic concepts first will help determine which pieces of furniture best suit your needs.
What Items Should You Choose?
Look for items such as armchairs, coffee tables, side tables, and cushions that bring out your desired look, while also providing ample comfort and a design edge. Multi-functional furniture will also come in handy, especially if the space you have is limited. For example, seating that incorporates a storage solution can be a great multi-functional option to go with.
If you have the space and enjoy reading, try outfitting one corner or side of your conservatory with a sofa or reclining armchair for a cosy reading nook. Alternatively, you could simply use it for resting, relaxing, or even taking a nap. I will leave the job of finding the best recliner for sleeping up to you !
Use Glass Furniture for a Small Conservatory
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Having less space doesn't mean that a small conservatory can only be cramped and cosy. It can also still be a practical and stylish addition to any home and the perfect place to relax, read and eat.
Adding the right furniture can help make it an even more comfortable and inviting space. As an aesthetic bonus, as the sun moves across the sky during the day, the glass will beautifully decorate your walls by bringing in different angles of light, as well as brighten up your conservatory with its reflective qualities.
Is Glass a Good Choice For The Conservatory?
Glass furniture is perfect for conservatories as it will reflect any light, creating a light and airy feel to your interior space and preventing it from feeling cramped. Additionally, glass is a very durable material and easy to clean (with the right cleaning product) so you won't have to worry about wear and tear from busy family life or accidental spills!
If you’re considering using your conservatory for entertaining purposes, or just for your morning coffee, go for glass side tables and a glass dining table to create the perfect practical place to invite family and friends.
Add a Window Seat to Maximise Space
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A window seat is a great way to maximise space in your conservatory. Not only does it add more seating area, but it also provides extra storage and a place to relax, read, or simply enjoy the natural light. It is without a doubt one of the most practical pieces of furniture for making the most of your conservatory space.
Adding a window seat doesn't have to be difficult, either. There are plenty of YouTube videos that could help get you started, or professionals willing to do it for you. You could add comfortable cushioned seats and incorporate built-in storage under the seat for extra practicality. Or why not go for a more contemporary design, using sleek lines and modern materials that will add an eye-catching feature to the room?
Consider Unique Furniture Choices
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The conservatory is a unique space and interior design in any home, which allows you to enjoy the beauty of both your indoor and outdoor space. With this in mind, it’s important to consider furniture that can bring out the best of both worlds, while still providing comfortable seating and modern style.
Whether you want a traditional or modern look, there are plenty of unique furniture choices that can help make your conservatory an inviting oasis.
Consider Other Durable Materials
When it comes to conservatory furniture ideas, you don't have to stick to tradition by selecting furniture that is made from either rattan, cane or wicker. Instead consider modern furniture pieces that are predominantly plastic, glass or metal and if funds allow, you could even commission one-off furniture items from local companies or artists to add some statement pieces to your design.
Go Bold with Seating Colour
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Although most conservatory furniture pieces stick with neutral colours and natural materials, that blend seamlessly into the overall design of a space. That doesn't mean that this is the only option available.
There is no reason why the same furniture that you may use in a sitting room, living room or any other living area, cannot also be used within a conservatory setting. This gives you the option to can go for furniture that is more design-led or is available in bolder colours and styles, like the stunning mustard yellow chairs set in the example above which is accompanied by a modern geometric glass-topped coffee table.
My Final Thoughts
Conservatory furniture ideas are an important part of creating a beautiful and comfortable space for entertaining or relaxation. Whether you choose to create your custom pieces or purchase pre-made furniture, there are plenty of options available to you.
With the right furniture and accessories, your conservatory can become a favourite spot in your home. To make the most out of this unique room, be sure to consider its purpose and the needs of those who will use it before investing in furniture.
I also suggest that you consider the size of the room, choose a colour scheme that is complementary and utilise multi-functional pieces when creating your conservatory design. Be sure to also select items that will be comfortable enough to enjoy for many years.
Author: Matthew Chiappini
