9 Ways To Use Your Conservatory In Winter

Homeowners are always looking for ways to improve their homes to make them nicer places to live in, as well as for the purpose of adding value to the property for future resale purposes. If you’re a homeowner looking to invest in improving your property, one of the best ways to spend your money is by having a conservatory built. It provides you with an extra room, more storage space, adds value to your house, and bridges the gap between your home and garden.

For most people, the conservatory serves as a portal to connect the outdoors and indoors, allowing you to enjoy your garden and feel closer to nature from the comfort of your conservatory. A tapered glass roof and large windows all the way round ensure that your conservatory is the lightest and brightest room in your home, making it the perfect place to enjoy those long summer evenings.

However, for many homeowners, conservatory usage can begin to dwindle when the nights draw in and the temperature drops. Why invest all that money on a room that you only use for half of the year? The experts at Meadow Hill Conservatories have some top tips to help you get the most out of your conservatory all year long…

• Insulation: Ideally your conservatory will have been built with energy-efficient double or triple glazing, which helps to prevent heat from escaping. Fitting draught excluders to the internal and external doors of the conservatory can also help to keep heat in.
• Radiators: If your home has central heating you should consider having it extended into the conservatory. A radiator doesn’t have to be unsightly; you could choose one that you can make a feature of, or conceal it with a vented radiator cover.
• Portable heater: If you don’t want to install a permanent radiator, portable heaters can see you through the winter. Fan heaters are cheap but can be noisy, whilst gas-filled heaters cost more but provide a more powerful and consistent heat.
• Under floor heating: If you don’t want to rely on a portable heater, and lack the space for a permanent radiator on the wall, under floor heating is a good solution. It is independent from your central heating and has its own thermostat and control panel.
• Air conditioning: Most air con units heat as well as cooling a room. This gives you the best of both worlds as you can keep your conservatory warm and cozy in the winter, and cool and fresh in the summer.
• Curtains: The large amount of glass in your conservatory is great in summer when you appreciate the abundance of natural light, but in winter heat is lost via the windows. Curtains and blinds help to add an extra layer of insulation and keep things cozy.
• Soft furnishings: Blankets and cushions add texture and warmth to your conservatory, whilst a rug or two on the floor can help things to feel warmer underfoot, which is especially useful if you have stone or tiled flooring.
• Furniture: Wicker and bamboo chairs are great in the summer, but lack that cozy appeal in the winter. Store your summer furniture away if possible and replace with comfy fabric sofas and chairs that you can curl up in.
• Lighting: During the summer your conservatory is lit by natural light until late into the evening, but in winter it goes dark mid-afternoon. Add some lamps and candles to your conservatory to create ambiance and warmth.