Garden rooms are a true joy in the summertime and a saving grace come colder months. These glassed-in spaces keep us in close contact with the outdoors, while providing shelter from the elements. They also present opportunities to get creative with interior design! There are, however, a few pitfalls and points to keep in mind when furnishing these light-filled environments. Join us for a quick briefing on how to get yours right the first time!

Kitchen extensions can often take on unique footprints. They help to add more square footage to a home, although we often have to be a bit creative about where we find it. As such, it’s important to consider the shape of the conservatory you’ve created and any obstructions to work around. We’d suggest maintaining a spacious feel by avoiding clutter, starting with only the essential furniture pieces and building out from there. Make sure you measure out a floorplan to block in the furniture you’ve selected, using tape, newspaper, or – better yet – boxes to represent where it will be placed. This should help you get a feel for the scheme before you finalise any orders.

Furniture for Conservatories

Now, for the specifics. If you’ve got a large enough wall to support a full-sized sofa, that’s an excellent piece to start with. Our Henry sofa is a classic that brings a cosy and casual feel to its environment. If you’re a bit more strapped for space, consider a snuggler like our Hartfield. It’s shorter than a full-sized sofa and introduces a more intimate feel.

To create a living room atmosphere, a coffee table goes a long way. However, if you’d like to maximise space and avoid bleaching wooden surfaces in the sun, consider a large ottoman in a UV-resistant fabric. Our Archie is an excellent candidate for the job, working overtime as a footstool, coffee table, or a bit of bonus seating. 

To make use of corner space or peripheral areas, we’d recommend a petit armchair or two alongside a compact footstool. We love the look of our Leni armchair paired with the Little Billy footstool. They don’t take up too much space, yet pack a major punch in terms of style and functionality. 

Fabrics for Orangeries

Finally, the fabrics! Orangeries are flooded with light, making it very important to think ahead on the fabric front. Most fabrics are subject to fading and bleaching over time when exposed to direct sunlight. That’s why we’ve rounded up some great options that are UV-resistant, so you can enjoy the sunshine without fretting. These are fabrics that have a beautiful designer look while keeping practicality top of mind. Sometimes you really can have it all!

First off, we’d recommend a look at our Aquaclean fabrics, like the Velvet and Chenille. They hold up to sun very well and score exceptionally on ease of maintenance. Our very own Julie Smith is also working on a new range of colourways referencing our signature earth-toned palette, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that! From a designer fabric perspective, we love Linwood’s Omega Velvet, which shares the same sun-safe properties. Harlequin has also come out with an Indoor/Outdoor range of fabrics specifically primed to stand up to the elements. They deserve extra kudos for making these textiles from recycled fibres and coating them in a Carbon Zero finish. We particularly love the Hito and Ocala fabrics, which bring in punchy patterns and characterful colours that are a far cry from your average garden furniture garb.