BEST IDEAS FOR A SMALL CONSERVATORY

A conservatory, even a small one, can add a lot of space, charm and functionality to your home’s existing living space. Below, you will find the best tips to help you design, plan and decorate your small conservatory with style, elegance and practicality.

SMALL CONSERVATORY IDEAS

LOCATION AND PURPOSE

Where is your conservatory going to go?

The most popular spot for a conservatory build is right next to a kitchen, especially if it is a small kitchen. A conservatory that tucks away just alongside your kitchen can make even the smallest of kitchens expansive and inviting. A spacious kitchen will do wonders to get you motivated to use it more, cooking up delicious home meals.

If not for next to the kitchen, a conservatory can go next to a living room as well. It can serve as a perfect extension to a living room when you are done watching the telly and just need to take in your garden as a soothing sight to wind down for the night.

Other popular places for a conservatory are next to a home office room, now that WFH is very popular due to the pandemic. There’s nothing like taking a quick walk in a sunlit enviroment to get away from the claustrophobia that is long hours chained to your work desk.

Another not very common but sensible choice for location of a small conservatory is to build one as an extension to your home’s entrance. This is particularly useful if you find yourself cramped for room when returning home, to put away your coat and footwear and things in a hallway that might be a bit too small.

Using a small conservatory as a gym is also becoming very popular. With the availability of brilliant home gyms that allow you to perform many exercises using a single machine, you can do a full-body workout even in a very small conservatory. And, there’s nothing like getting some good vitamin D from the sun as you do your weights, yoga or bodyweight exercises. 

STYLE

There’s plenty of styles to choose from for a small conservatory. Below is a brief introduction to the most popular styles made available by conservatory fitters. Any one of these styles can be greatly customized to meet your home and your styles’ very specific needs.

Edwardian – Elegant, bold and rectangular. Easily the most popular choice of small conservatory in the UK

Elizabethan – Perfect for modern classic or classic homes and for panoramic views. Usually rectangular and airy in nature.

Lean To – Possibly the most affordable small conservatory plan that requires a simple roof + walls design. Also the most flexible when it comes to fitting into unique or irregular spaces that you are trying to use around your home

P Shaped – The best style to go next to a garden. The P shape allows for an illusion of a double space, with a small hallway leading to a more open setting. 

T Shaped - Have a elongated area alongside your home for a small conservatory? A T shaped design might be the perfect way to use it. Two hallways can connect to a central spce that can be used for some quality R&R or activities. 

Veranda – Want your small conservatory to give you an outdoor experience? This way, you can still enjoy the fresh air but without the rain and heat ruining the experience.

Orangeries – A very modern style of choice for a small conservatory. An orangery is characterized by a brick structure adorned with very large windows. It features a flat roof and also usually sports a large glass lantern as its centerpiece.

DECORATION IDEAS FOR A SMALL CONSERVATORY

BRIGHT AND LIGHT COLOURS

The last thing you want to do is use heavy or dull colours in your small conservatory. Wall and floor tile colours should enhance the sunlight that streams in. Whites and creams and maybe pastel shades are very popular choices.

POP IN SOME COLOUR

Add just a burst of colour in the form of an area rug or a lone décor item like a vase. Just a hint of colour burst can really highlight your small conservatory as it shows off all that natural sunlight that streams in, in all its glory.

SPACE SAVING FURNITURE

The focus of your small conservatory should always be on the inviting space it can offer. Depending on how big or small your conservatory is, you can go with space saving furniture like slimline, collapsible or stackable furniture. If it’s just you using the conservatory, you can indulge yourself in a comfortable swivel chair or armchair. At Abakus Direct, we have a great choice of swivel and armchairs with great quality, at incredible prices.

If your small conservatory is particularly large, you can consider putting in a 2 seater sofa, 3 seater sofa or even a small corner sofa. Shop all sofas at Abakus Direct here. 

SMART STORAGE

The key to incorporating storage into your small conservatory is to not take up precious floor space. Think tall storage units or wall racks that use up vertical space. It also pays not to clutter your small conservatory. Keep it minimalistic. Maybe a book rack and a small coffee table is all you need!

BLINDS ARE A MUST

With all the glass, conservatories can get hot, especially when they are small. And, this heat can radiate into the rest of the home as well. A simple way to overcome this potential problem is to use window blinds. A simple turn of the blind rod and you can shun away heat during the hottest part of the day.

WINDOW SEATS

No space for furniture in your small conservatory? No problem. You can use a small peripheral area around the windows to smartly build in some ledge seating. Though minimalistic, it can provide a great place to sip away on a nice hot cup of tea as you watch the rain fall outside.

PLANTS

Indoor plants are a great idea for any small conservatory. This is particularly brilliant when your conservatory is up against a garden. With a choice few plants, your garden can seamlessly flow from outside to inside, as if you never left it in the first place. And, with a great amount of sunlight streaming in, your plants are going to be as healthy as they can be.

There you have it, our ideas for a cosy, beautiful and inviting small conservatory in your home!