A new year should bring new promises, a clean slate and a bold outlook for the future with it, and part of the process of getting all three of these aspects is to take stock of what you already have and see if it still serves your needs and suits your purpose.
A great way to help with that is to look at your conservatory following the hectic festive period and to seriously consider what you want it to be, how to transform what you already have and whether a brand new bespoke conservatory is best for you.
With that in mind, and in the spirit of the season, here are five realistic, practical New Year’s resolutions that can help you make the most of your conservatory, new and old.
Resolution 1: Clear Out Your Conservatory
In the spirit of decluttering expert Marie Kondo, it is important to only keep the items that you need and the ones that spark joy in your life.
Conservatories are essential during the winter months as an extra place for people to socialise, dine and wind down during a busy period of celebrations and home visits, but many are consigned to be used as ad-hoc storage from January to June.
The first step to fixing this is to do the opposite; get everything you do not need out of the conservatory and sort it out between the items you need, the items that need to be put into long-term storage and the items that can be thrown away, recycled or donated.
Resolution 2: Create A Dedicated Storage Space
Your conservatory is not a storage space, but if you need to store items there, make sure you have an attractive way to keep essentials in there.
Everything from armoires to elaborate box storage can be really effective, and the only limit is your imagination, your budget and the space available.
Having a purposeful storage space in your conservatory means that not all of it will become storage, it will feel less cluttered and thus feel more comfortable.
Resolution 3: Decide On The Real Purpose Of Your Conservatory
A conservatory should be treated like any other room in your home; it should have a specific purpose that the room is laid out and designed around.
One of the issues that was seen a few decades ago was that conservatories were built first and then justified later, which often made them ill-suited for most of the purposes for which they were designed.
If you want it to be a sunroom, then that often means that your furniture should be designed for relaxing, and your glazed roof should be designed to allow some but not all of the sunshine in.
If you want a living area, then there needs to be room for enough furniture for people to sit comfortably. A dining area needs to fit a table and chairs. A home office needs not only a desk but some protection from the glare of direct sunlight.
Resolution 4: Bring The Outside In
Conservatories are gateways to the garden, and the best way to not only achieve this but ensure that you enjoy the benefits of your garden even in the dead of winter is to bring the inside in.
Part of this is by literally having succulents and plants to add brightness and green to the surroundings, but another aspect is to incorporate aspects of biophilic design, such as nature-inspired textures, cushions, rugs and wallpaper designs.
Resolution 5: Make Your Conservatory Part Of Your Home
Finally, integrate your home’s interior design into your conservatory, rather than treating it as an entirely separate entity.
Many homes have a conservatory that feels very distinct from the rest of the house in a way that can often be jarring.
When Should You Get Rid Of Your Conservatory Entirely?
The new year is also a time for making bold decisions for your home, and one of the biggest and toughest decisions to make is when you need to take down your existing extension and start again with a brand new, tailor-made conservatory.
If you notice any of the following problems, it may be time to get in touch with a conservatory expert:
- If it is beginning to show its age and it makes your home look outdated.
- If it is costing you a fortune in your energy bills.
- If there are fundamental structural issues.
- If you find it way too cold in winter and far too hot in summer.
- If you want a larger conservatory that suits your home.
- If you want a conservatory that opens into your garden.