Have breakfast in the light-flooded winter garden, lounge comfortably in a reading armchair when the rain is pounding, or have dinner with the family at sunset - doesn't that sound wonderful? A winter garden or conservatory is the dream of every homeowner who can’t get enough of their garden during the cold season. Are you still in the planning phase and looking for inspiration on how to set up your conservatory? Then you're in the right place here: In this article you will find 5 suggestions for your very own oasis of well-being.
Furnishing a conservatory comfortably: the basics
Before you start rummaging through catalogues of pretty decorating ideas, there are a few basic points to think about.
The location of the conservatory
Its orientation plays a decisive role in correctly setting up a conservatory: So you need to carefully consider what direction it is facing. Sunlight is of course the strongest on the southern wall of the house and you may save heating costs.
In addition, south-facing conservatories are well suited for Mediterranean and subtropical plants such as lemon and olive trees. In summer, however, such a conservatory can quickly turn into a sauna if there isn’t sufficient ventilation and shading.
North-facing conservatories naturally have the fewest hours of sunshine, so they have to be heated in winter. Depending on whether you would prefer to have breakfast in the morning sun or dine in the soft evening light, a conservatory facing east or west is recommended.
Determine the purpose
Depending on the location, size and budget, a conservatory can be used in very different ways. So determine beforehand what your needs are and what you want to use the conservatory for. Would you like a second living room with a comfortable seating area, coffee table and television? Or do you want to set up your conservatory as a dining room? Your conservatory can also serve as a painter's studio, fitness room or reading room.
Difference between a warm conservatory and cold conservatory
You should also be clear whether you're planning a warm conservatory or a cold conservatory. A warm conservatory can be heated well, has a room temperature of more than 19°C all year round and therefore has to be well insulated. A cold conservatory is cheaper to keep, but has a different function: There is often no heating at all, which is why it's not possible to use it in the winter. Cold conservatories are, however, very suitable for keeping plants during the winter.
Suitable furniture for a conservatory
When setting up a conservatory, you should keep in mind that the furniture must be considerably more durable than in your living room or dining room. The constant UV radiation bleaches the colours, and moisture from the garden also affects the furniture. For this reason, it is advisable to use sturdy garden furniture that can withstand such conditions. Chairs and benches made of high-quality polyrattan or upholstered furniture made of weatherproof fabric are particularly suitable.
Setting up a small conservatory
Perhaps you don't have a lot of space available and your conservatory will be rather modest. Don't worry - even a small conservatory can be furnished comfortably and tastefully. Just make sure that you keep the floor area as free as possible. It’s best to design the conservatory with a few, but selected furniture pieces.
Try to use the height of the room and place decorations on wall shelves or hang them on the wall. The “vertical gardening” trend is great here: Simply lay flowers and herbs vertically and plant ladders, hanging baskets and much more.
Furnishing your conservatory: 5 suggestions for furnishing your conservatory
Whether modern, nostalgic or maritime: An indoor garden can be designed in different ways. The following 5 ideas should inspire you to set up your very own favourite place.
1) Setting up a conservatory in a country house style
Do you value comfort and an idyllic atmosphere above all? How about setting up your conservatory in a country house style? This style is based on the furnishing of oldfashioned, English cottages and aims to evoke nostalgic memories of country life. To do this, rely on natural materials: dark wood, stone, ceramics and rattan are typical for the country house style. A ceramic tile floor, for example, is very pretty and easy to care for, and a wooden floorboard provides even more comfort.
Then combine these natural materials with lots of white and individual colourful accents. Pure white painted wooden furniture exudes cosiness, while carpets or tablecloths can also be in bright red and blue. Complete the interior with nostalgic and playful details: floral patterns, porcelain with vintage decor or antiques made of cast iron give the winter garden a romantic touch. Tip: Seasonal decoration with finds from the garden, for example ornamental gourds or meadow flowers, are particularly appealing.
2) The Mediterranean conservatory
Sipping an espresso in your conservatory and dreaming of your next vacation in Italy? If that sounds tempting, maybe a conservatory with Mediterranean decor would be something for you.
The Mediterranean flair is created primarily through the combination of earth tones, ceramics, marble, olive wood and Mediterranean plants.
A tiled floor made of light natural stone or ceramic is almost a must. Wicker furniture in dark brown (e.g. made of rattan or polyrattan) can be combined well with a whitish-beige floor.
Plants in large terracotta pots are indispensable for the Mediterranean ambience: Orange and lemon trees, lavender bushes and especially olive trees. A herb wall with basil, rosemary and oregano exudes the scent of the south and is also indispensable for Italian cuisine.
Tip: Let a gardening expert advise you on the choice of plants - not all plants like a warm room in winter. With selected decorative objects in azure blue or ultramarine blue, you awaken associations with the sky and the sea. If you like it classic, use marble slabs or ancient statues.
3) The harmonious conservatory: Feng Shui furnishing
Do you want an oasis of calm where you can switch off and regain strength? Then design your conservatory according to the principles of feng shui. The Chinese teaching of feng shui is about creating a balanced living space and thus allowing life energy (“chi”) to flow. Basically, you can combine feng shui with all styles, when it comes to furnishing, it's all about certain principles.
Order and clarity are very important: Leave out everything superfluous and rely on a few, simple furnishings. Closed cupboards bring more peace into the room than open shelves. An important point in feng shui is also the middle of the room, you should leave this as free as possible - but you can emphasise it with a chic carpet. Uniform illumination of the winter garden is also important. Use candles and fairy lights to create harmonious lighting as soon as it gets dark.
According to the teaching of feng shui, lovingly selected potted plants in front of the glass front keep life energy in the room. With soothing materials such as wood or natural stone, pictures of your loved ones and a decorative bowl with flowers, you create your very own place of strength.
4) Conservatory in an industrial style
The industrial style is for anyone who likes things modern and a little unusual. This style is inspired by old workshops and exudes cool factory flair. Industrial style is an attractive alternative to furnishing, especially for artists who use their conservatory as a studio. It’s all about imperfection with this style: Rely on untreated materials, visible masonry and slightly worn furniture. The main materials used are metal, dark wood, rough leather and solid fabrics. Mix very different materials!
A cosy seating area with soft materials is suitable as a counterpart to rough steel elements. Hanging ceiling lamps are a must-have for the industrial look - either with chunky steel lampshades or with a pure light bulb design. Tip: Homemade furniture made from recycled materials, for example from old Euro pallets or metal pipes, is particularly hip.
5) Scandinavian style conservatory
If you want your conservatory “hyggelig” you should set it up on the Scandinavian style. This Danish word describes a particularly cosy get-together with friends - but it can’t really be translated. Winter in the north is long and dark: Light, warmth and cosiness are therefore the basic ingredients of Scandinavian design. Choose furniture in pure white or in soft pastel colours. This makes the conservatory appear brighter and friendlier. Combine the white or pastel elements with light wood, for example birch or beech.
In addition, you should pay attention to clear lines and simple decoration. One tip: Geometric patterns look particularly good. Place cosy blankets and furs on a comfortable seating area and loosen up the whole thing with some potted plants (e.g. fern or cactus). Your cosy place in the countryside is ready!
No matter what style you choose for your conservatory.: It will surely become your favourite place soon. Lean back and enjoy the weatherproof view of the countryside!
Images:
© U. J. Alexander – stock.adobe.com
© srki66 – stock.adobe.com
© Filip Olejowski – stock.adobe.com