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Two other elements that need to be taken into account at the design stage are heating and lighting. Whilst it is possible to make further provision for these at a later date, it will undoubtedly involve considerable upheaval, and stress that could be easily avoided. Heating in your conservatory is an absolute must. Thermostatically controlled under floor heating would be my first choice every time. Not only is it supremely practical in keeping an ambient temperature for any plants in the room, but it is certainly the most discreet in appearance. It’s always sad to see an oil filled radiator or an electric fan heater in the corner of an otherwise elegant and stylish conservatory.
Lighting is also extremely important, and will usually take the form of soft, low level light from table lamps, perhaps topped up with a well-placed floor lamp or two to enable reading. With this in mind make sure you have enough sockets from the outset. If your conservatory is particularly large you may want to incorporate one or more floor sockets to alleviate the need for trailing flexes.
One of the most influential factors in the overall look of a conservatory is the floor. For out and out practicality there is no beating ceramic or quarry tiles, although LVT vinyl floors have come on a bundle in the last few years, with JAB having launched a splendid and well-priced range. If your conservatory runs off of a family area, and is designed to be extra living and play space for youngsters, then these types of floor are ideal. A ceramic floor however does have an inevitably clinical feel to it. This can be softened by adding a large rug, preferably with a good amount of texture. For a softer and more elegant feel use fully-fitted natural floor coverings, such as jute, wool or sisal. This may be more appropriate if your conservatory runs from a living or dining room. Whatever you do, don’t try to install wood flooring, as this will warp and buckle very quickly due to the extremes in temperature.
When it comes to decor, and fabrics to cover your furniture, once again it is important to pick up the mood of the room your conservatory runs from. For a light, bright feel use splashes of colour, mixed with tickings, stripes and checks in lively greens and soft whites, possibly with accents of soft pink. Using these colours of nature will also help to blend together the house and the garden, bringing the outside in. For a more sophisticated and elegant look use a neutral palette, and introduce a variety of different and interesting textures. One word of caution though, whatever the
desired appearance you would do well to consider the fibre content of any fabric before you select it, as it will be constantly subjected to massive amounts of the sun’s ultra-violet rays. In practise this means that natural fabrics with strong colours will fade, and delicate fabrics such as silks will very quickly rot and shred.
As we have already touched on, the temperature of a conservatory in the height of summer can get so high as to almost prohibit its use. This can be addressed by the thoughtful addition of blinds, possibly on the windows, but certainly to the roof. My favourite by far for this task is the Duette blind. A Duette blind is made using a honeycomb effect, thus trapping a layer of air and giving excellent results for both insulation in winter and cooling in summer. Roof blinds can also be motorised for ease of use and durability, and you now have the option of either mains or re-chargeable batteries.
The thoughtful inclusion of plants in a conservatory really helps to blend together the house and the garden, but be careful when selecting your varieties as they will have to thrive across a huge temperature range. If you have a constant and controllable source of heating you will be able to introduce some really quite exotic species, but do seek expert advice, and try not to cram it so full as to look like the hot house at Kew Gardens. Shrubs and plants around the outside of a conservatory, whether they are in borders or tubs on a patio, also help to soften its lines and make it truly a versatile and worthwhile addition to your home.
JOHN BIDDELL - JOHN CHARLES INTERIORS 349 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B17 8DL
T. 0121 420 3977
www.johncharlesinteriors.co.uk LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
HOME S & INTERIORS JOHN BIDDE L L - INT ERIORS EXPER T
John Biddell - John Charles Interiors
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