A conservatory or orangery can extend your living space and be a gateway to your garden, which is something we all appreciate more during the current coronavirus pandemic. While they can be a pleasure to use during the warm summer months for unwinding and relaxing, their usefulness need not come to an end during the colder winter months.
Whether you have been considering a conservatory to gain more space for your family, or to create a work from home office space, or to increase the value of your home, with a few simple steps you can make good use of it all year round.
Make heating a priority
A conservatory or orangery might not have a heat source, and it can make them a little chilly to enjoy spending time in during winter. You can bring in an electric heater, or extend your central heating when you get your extension built.
Simple things like adding scented candles will create a cosy atmosphere too, as will adding some throws and blankets to wrap up and curl up.
Insulate the conservatory
Many conservatories in the UK will not have the same level of insulation as the rest of the home, meaning that warm air can be lost, especially through the glass if it is not properly glazed. Installing blinds on the windows can help prevent heat loss, and allow how much natural light is coming into the conservatory on bright winter days.
Fit draught excluders to doors, and make sure that the windows have good seals to prevent draughts and the warm air escaping.
Install the right flooring
The floor of a conservatory can be a major cause of heat loss and cold draughts, so ensure you have the right flooring installed to make your conservatory useable all year round.
Tiles with a high PEI rating – a scale of the tile hardness – will help insulate the floor, and they are also aesthetically pleasing. If you are unable to replace the current flooring or tiles, then invest in a good thick rug or carpeting to keep you snug and warm.
Let the fun begin
We are all spending more time indoors in 2020, and especially so in winter when the days are shorter. Make your conservatory into a games and entertainment room.
Use comfy sofas and a coffee table, and maybe even a drinks trolley for all those lockdown cocktails you learned how to make during the lockdown, and enjoy being able to still sit ‘outside’ and enjoy nature, without needing to put on heavy coats and scarves.
If your conservatory or orangery has good insulation and is warm and pleasant, encourage the family to make good use of it, and enjoy the benefits of being in natural light during the cold winter months. Why not decorate during the Christmas season, and place a Christmas tree in there to make it a welcoming and happy atmosphere.
You can make the most of your conservatory by preparing it for the winter. Use these tips to make your conservatory a warm and welcoming haven in your home and you can be certain it will be a much-used space in the home.
A Victorian conservatory or orangery add so much character and pleasure to your home, so get in touch today if you’d like to know more!