Summer is the perfect time for socialising with friends, whether you invite them over for an impromptu barbecue or arrange a sophisticated afternoon tea in your garden.
The rare sight of blue skies, freshly cut lawns and bright sunshine mean most of us look for any excuse to be outside with our loved ones, enjoying a catch up or watching the kids play with their friends.
And the advantage of having an orangery extension or conservatory is that it makes planning events like these much easier, as there is always somewhere to go if the weather takes a turn.
Instead of having to message all your pals to come over on the day if the sky is clear, you can arrange your social gathering in advance. Then, if it is cooler than expected or it begins to rain, there is at least somewhere indoors everyone can escape to that still feels part of the garden.
So, if you’re planning some fun social events this summer, here are some tips on how to make your conservatory perfect for such an occasion.
Let the outdoors in
It is a good idea to make the orangery still seem part of the garden, so guests don’t feel like they’re intruding on your private space.
If the doors are closed and blinds are shut, they are not likely to venture inside, even if the heavens open.
However, if you open the bi-folds, set up some nibbles on the coffee table and arrange the seating so it encourages people to sit down, guests will feel more comfortable heading indoors and putting their feet up.
You can make the orangery still feel part of the garden by adding lots of greenery to the space. This gives the illusion of being an extension of the outdoors, so the event still appears seasonal, even if the weather is less than ideal.
Plants that thrive in a conservatory over the summer include Mandevillas, with their brightly coloured flowers and twisting vines; Swiss Cheese plants, which have far-reaching perforated leaves; and Birds of Paradise, known for its uniquely shaped flowers.
Greenery like Spider Plants, Rubber Plants and Monsteras are also great options, as they have a tropical feel to the area, while succulents and cacti are able to survive hot temperatures, so you can be confident they’ll last all summer long.
Even if your guests can’t spend all afternoon or evening on the lawn, they will still feel close to nature with the display of flora throughout the room.
Stylish interior
Homeowners who want to make their conservatory welcoming to friends and family this summer need to think carefully about the room’s aesthetics. This isn’t somewhere they should just dump their unopened letters and kids’ crafts, or have piles of toys and dated magazines.
Your orangery should ooze sophistication with its interior, with a few design updates able to really bring the space to life.
For instance, you could make the room ready for the summer by adding some colourful cushions and rugs to the room. This will not only make it look more vibrant, but it also adds a cosy, homely feel.
Lamps, throws and candles are great accessories for a conservatory, while wicker, wood, and rattan are ideal materials to add a natural feel to the space.
Do not overfill your conservatory with furniture, as you might have to fit in a number of people should summer storms suddenly strike. However, a few seats and a central coffee table is a good idea, giving guests somewhere comfortable to sit and a focus area to gather around.
Regulate humidity
The British summertime often sees a mix of weather, from scorching heatwaves to sodden downpours. However, one thing it is known for is its humidity. Due to being an island and getting hot air travelling from southern Europe over the sea, as well as from the Caribbean across the Atlantic Ocean, England is frequently left with high humidity levels.
This results in air that has a great proportion of water vapour, leaving us hot, sweaty and uncomfortable, even if the temperature does not register that high.
Even on a cloudy day, it can feel muggy outside, and staying indoors where there is little ventilation can exacerbate this feeling of clamminess.
That is why it is essential that homeowners regulate humidity levels in their home, particularly in the conservatory, if they want their guests to feel comfortable.
Conservatories, especially, are prone to high moisture levels, as the glass walls reflect and trap the heat indoors. What’s more, if you have lots of people in a small space, the heat will rise and this will give way to condensation, making the air feel heavy and our guests sweaty.
Nobody wants to feel self-conscious of a wet upper lip or sweat patches on their nice outfit, so it is important to reduce the humidity levels in your orangery as much as you can.
The most obvious thing to do is keep windows and doors open to let as much air in as possible. However, on a hot, muggy day, this does not offer much relief.
Installing vents is very effective, as these remove the warm air and prevents a build-up of condensation in the room.
You should also make sure there is proper insulation and double- or triple-glazing on the windows, as this will regulate the temperature better between the outside and indoors and reduce condensation.
Consider investing in a dehumidifier as well, as these get rid of the excess moisture in the air, making it feel fresher and more comfortable.
Some plants are also well known for being good dehumidifiers, including Peace Lilies, Bamboo, and Aloe Vera, so if your conservatory gets particularly muggy, these could be the ideal greenery to decorate your room with.