It’s nearly the season for all things festive and jolly, and if you are fortunate enough to have a hardwood orangery or conservatory room, then no doubt you will really appreciate the extra space at this time of year.
The open-plan design naturally lends itself to sociable gatherings, and it can easily be repurposed for an extra guest room, a playroom for children where they can enjoy new toys and burn off energy without disturbing the rest of the household, or even just a chill-out zone if you need to escape for some me-time with good book for an hour or two.
Dressing your hardwood orangery for christmas
Whatever purpose you are using your glazed extension for this Christmas, no doubt you will want it to look the part with the right level of festive ambience. Orangeries or conservatories are enjoyable and rewarding spaces to decorate, because the results can be seen from outside the house as well as in.
However, if this is the first time you will be enjoying your extension over Christmas, you may be unsure how to decorate it to best effect, due to the lack of wall space or fireplace, and the expanse of glazing. Here are a few inspirational ideas.
Seasonal greenery
Orangeries were originally designed to cultivate plants in, hence the name. Therefore it’s an ideal setting for seasonal greenery such as holly, mistletoe and ivy. Suspend garlands from the ceiling, or if you have a dining area in your extension, you could use them as a table centrepiece combined with candles, colourful berries and snow-dusted pine cones.
You could even install a real Christmas tree, particularly if you have an open-plan orangery with a glazed roof lantern that can accommodate a nice tall specimen. It’s easy to bring a large tree through French doors or sliding patio doors, and as most orangeries have hard flooring, you don’t need to worry about getting pine needles embedded in the carpet.
Once decorated with some twinkling fairy lights, the tree will make a stunning centrepiece for the room, and the lights will be reflected in the glazing, and also visible from the garden.
Decorate the glazing
Your extension may not have a lot of wall space, but have fun with some stencils and spray on snow to decorate the glazing. If you have artistic flair, you may want to come up with your own designs.
Decorate your garden
If your glazed extension is on the smaller side, or you are just not into Christmas bling and all that jazz, then some tasteful garden lights can help to provide a more subtle nod to the season. It’s likely that the space looks out over your garden or backyard, so you might like to install a Christmas tree or add some LED lights to an existing tree or shrub.
This will give you and your guests something attractive to look at on those gloomy December afternoons, without intruding too much on your inside space.
Festive colour palettes
It may be that your Christmas decorations are a collection of old friends that you love to bring out every year, regardless of trends and colour palettes, and of course this is a lovely approach to have. However, if you are starting from scratch you might like to consider aiming for a stylish and cohesive colour scheme that will draw the whole space together.
If you have a traditional approach to interior design, then you may prefer the traditional Christmas colours of red, green and gold. For a more minimalist approach or to refresh the decor for a New Year’s Eve party, you may want to limit colours to a contemporary palette of white and silver.
For a more laid-back rustic ambience, go for some tasteful handcrafted wooden and wicker decorations combined with seasonal foliage.
Further considerations
Beyond the decor, you’ll want to make sure the space feels warm and inviting. Add some cosy textiles such as chunky knitted throws, plush velvet cushions, and faux fur rugs to create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Keep the lighting soft, and make use of candles and LED string lights that will be reflected in the glazing, multiplying the effect.
If you do not have underfloor heating or fixed radiators, then it will be necessary to bring in some portable heating solutions such as oil-filled radiators or electric heaters. Check the seams in the glazing and the frame of your structure for any sign of gaps or cracks that could be letting in chilly draughts.