How to Create a Multifunctional Conservatory

Demands on the home have never been greater, so our interior spaces must work harder than ever before. That’s why multifunctional kitchen-dining spaces have become a staple of modern home layouts. But it’s not just this particular room that can benefit from a multifunctional design. Conservatories can too.

Conservatories can be one of the most under-used spaces in the home. But with a few design tweaks, they can become one of the most hard-working rooms in the house – taking pressure off our living and dining spaces. Here’s how you can create a multifunctional conservatory.

Take control of temperatures and sunlight

If you want your conservatory to be suitable for a variety of family activities, it needs to be comfortable to use, whatever the weather.

One issue a conservatory can have is a lack of temperature control. The glazing often allows heat to transfer in and out too easily. So, they’re not very warm in winter and scorching hot at the height of summer.

By replacing a conservatory roof with tiles and insulation you can stop this happening. Another way you can control the sunlight and temperatures is by installing insulating blinds.

Keep the layout flexible

If your conservatory is compact but you want to use it for different activities, it’s a good idea to choose furniture that’s lightweight and easy to move around, such as rattan sofas and portable island breakfast bars.

You might also want to use furniture that’s multifunctional and adaptable. For instance, a low table with storage can be used as a craft table when you’re doing activities with the kids and as a coffee table when you’re using the space as a snug. If the space is being used as a lounge and home office, perhaps a set of shelves with an integrated desk would be handy.

Incorporate storage

If you want to keep your conservatory in regular use, it needs to be clutter-free. So, there does need to be some storage.

This can be tricky as there’s not always a lot of wall space that you can utilise. However, you could build in storage along the walls, underneath the glazing. This will keep the central area free and you could pop bench seating on top of the storage units to ensure you don’t waste an inch of space.

Alternatively, you could incorporate the storage into the furniture. For example, an ottoman coffee table and storage sofa. But this can be a compromise as it’s harder to move this type of furniture around. Therefore, the space won’t be as flexible.

Zone larger conservatories

That said, it’s not always necessary to have furniture that you can move. With larger-sized conservatories, zoning might be a better solution.

Dividing the conservatory into zones means you’ll have a dedicated area for each activity. So, you could have a seating area, a dining area and a space for play or fitness activities.

If you want to separate the zones, you could use shelving units as dividers. This will add storage at the same time. But if you’d like a bit more flexibility, foldable screens might be more suitable.

Use lighting to increase adaptability

It’s not just about the furniture though. The way you light your conservatory can affect how well it functions. Relying on a central ceiling light can limit its practicality in the evenings and early mornings. It can also make a conservatory feel a bit stark.

So, if you want to create a cosy ambience for lounging and dining, think about incorporating side, table and wall lights along with dimmers.

Install practical flooring

Most conservatories have hard flooring, which is practical for everything from dining to practicing yoga. This is easy to top with area rugs to zone areas or make the space a bit cosier.

However, a tiled floor can be a bit too hard for some activities. So, you might want to consider vinyl, laminate or engineered wood flooring with some cushioning underneath.

Consider comfort

You can increase the comfort of a hard floor further by installing underfloor heating. This can help to reduce cold spots and will ensure that the whole of the space is warm and comfortable to use.

However, if you’re not keen to install underfloor heating, using radiant panels or a mix of low-profile and column radiators connected to the central heating, could improve the warmth.

Decorate for warmth

Going with warm, neutral décor in your conservatory will create a welcoming atmosphere while ensuring it’s suitable for any occasion or activity.

If you’re worried that the room might feel too bland, you can add in pops of colour through furnishings like rugs, lamps and other items. These are easy to switch up when you’re looking to change the use of your conservatory.