How To Style Your Conservatory - Expert Tips

Published 30th Nov 2023 | Updated: 1st Oct 2024

The best way to style your conservatory furniture is to base it on the size of the space and how you intend to use it. This will dictate whether your focal point is seating for relaxing, or table and chairs for dining. You’ll also want to arrange your furniture to take advantage of the view outside the conservatory. Then you can think about colour schemes, choice of accessories, and how to tweak your conservatory according to the seasons.

This blog explores the latest trends in choosing colours and accessories, as well as tips for mixing and matching your conservatory furniture. The idea is to create a conservatory that suits you all year round.

Keep up with the latest trends in your conservatory furniture

Good quality conservatory furniture will always be in fashion and worth the investment. Whether seating, dining or a combination of both, cane furniture will work with you to reflect the latest interior trends in your conservatory.

Two key techniques involve your choice of accessories and colour. Both give you endless opportunities to switch up according to your mood and the season.

Choose accessories to complement your conservatory furniture

Accessories really are your key to making sure that your conservatory keeps up with you and your style:

• Scatter cushions and throws: probably one of the quickest ways to refresh and change the mood in your conservatory. Choose different sizes and go for colours and textures. Be brave in your combinations. In the winter they’ll add to the cosiness, and you can hint at warmer weather to come with bright sunshine and coastal tones.

• Rugs: warming your feet, adding visual depth, pulling a room together – conservatory rugs can achieve so much. Explore the current fashion for bold, nature-inspired designs.

• Lighting: you can create a mood immediately with your choice of conservatory lights and, again, your options are many: floor, hurricane and table lamps, candles and strings of lights. Move them around to suit your needs and be sure to alter the colour of the light itself.

• Ornaments and artwork: pictures, photos and seasonal ornaments will help with your theming. Just take care not to make your conservatory too busy.

• Plants: always a great choice for a conservatory, plants can lift your mood and really will embrace any nature-inspired theming. In vogue right now are macrame plant hangers.

Use colour to complement your conservatory furniture

A single key colour is a good idea, whatever the size of your conservatory and its furniture. But don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns and designs.

Embrace Nature-Inspired Palettes

Nature-inspired, earthy colours are very fashionable right now: golden yellows, warm greens, orangey reds, warm terracotta and lots of golden browns. These colours create a welcoming and cosy atmosphere while still feeling sophisticated. They evoke a sense of calmness and create a welcoming atmosphere connecting you with the outdoors.

Highlight with Accent Colours

Accent colours can add visual interest without overwhelming your space. Bright cushions, colourful artwork, or decorative accessories can serve as eye-catching focal points. This is a great way to express parts of your personality whilst keeping a cohesive feel to your space.

Create Spaciousness with Monochromatic Schemes

If you're looking to create the illusion of more space, a uniform white colour scheme is a great choice—especially effective when the conservatory frame is also white. However, if you’re not a lover of white don’t panic this style can still be achieved. Light or soft neutral colour palettes can achieve this same monochromatic style. Choose one or two key colours and base the rest of your decor and accessories around this.

Master the Art of Mixing Patterns

Embrace the maximalist in you, don’t hesitate to go bold with vibrant hues and eye-catching patterns to make the space your own truly. Embrace your style and let your personality shine through! Don’t shy away from combining stripes, florals, and geometric designs; they can coexist beautifully when balanced. Try varying the scale of patterns to create harmony. For instance, pair large-scale patterns with smaller ones for a dynamic yet cohesive look.

Modern Makeover

Modernising your conservatory is all about blending traditional charm with contemporary flair. Consider integrating sleek, glass-top tables or minimalist metal accents to create a stylish contrast with the organic lines of the cane. Adding contemporary accessories, such as abstract artwork or chic lighting, can further enhance the overall aesthetic.

If you want to lean into the natural look with a bit more of a modern feel, layering in greenery with potted plants or stylish planters can enhance the natural vibe.

By thoughtfully combining these elements, you can transform your conservatory furniture into a stunning focal point that marries classic elegance with modern sophistication.

Quick tips to modernise your conservatory

Here are four quick ways of embracing new interior ideas:

1. Replace your old cushions with the latest earthy colours, patterns and textures – velvet, wool, cotton, metallics...

2. Update your conservatory blinds and curtains using new colours and materials.

3. Add some vintage furniture, such as a quirky armchair.

4. Invest in a cocoon or hanging chair. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, they’re a cool alternative to the classic conservatory armchair.

Choosing the right material

Whilst it is entirely up to you what you put in your conservatory, there are a few materials that we would advise against. Conservatories are known for being a sun trap and not every material can withstand this.

Leather is a popular choice for sofas or accent chairs. However, over time the leather would dry out and crack because it is not designed to be exposed to sunlight and high temperatures. Similarly, furniture wrapped in acrylic or polyester will suffer the same fate. These materials will quickly fade when left out in the sunlight for too long.

Although wooden furniture is known for its durability it still suffers when used in a conservatory. Temperatures can fluctuate in a conservatory from humid highs to chilly cold. This can lead to wooden furniture splitting and fading.

At JB Furniture we would advise you to use cane furniture in a conservatory because it is designed to withstand sun exposure as well as hot and cold temperatures. ‘We would always recommend cane furniture to be used in a conservatory. As a material it is inherently durable and will stand the test of time.’ says Dave Sadler - JB furniture Owner.

Can I mix and match different styles of conservatory furniture?

Yes, this is absolutely on-trend. The trick to avoiding the space looking busy and disjointed is to have a colour or material theme running throughout the conservatory. This can be easily achieved with accessories, such as cushions or rugs, as well as blinds and wall coverings.

The idea is to link disparate pieces together, using colour and similar themes. For example: an elegant art deco armchair, in a light grey or beige, would work well alongside a cane sofa, especially if the cushions have a similar design or colour such as mint or floral.

Whatever the size of your conservatory, keeping a sense of space and airiness are important.

How do I create a minimalist conservatory?

Minimalism is a balance: not too cluttered or too bare. The colour palette, furniture and style must be ‘you’, but in a way that’s just enough. ‘Less is more’ in other words.

Minimalism need not be a cold concept. Certainly, clutter won’t make a space welcoming. Instead, it’s how you put shapes, colours and textures together. Leaning towards minimalism will make you think more about the space and how to use it to its best advantage. (It’ll also be easier to clean!)

So, the idea is not too many accessories or small tables. Nothing too busy - if you have a complicated design on a rug or seating cushions, make sure to include enough clean lines and plain areas. Limit decorative accessories to a few thoughtfully chosen pieces, like a single statement plant or a striking piece of artwork, to avoid overwhelming the space.

Creating a minimalist conservatory is all about embracing simplicity and functionality while maximizing natural light. The colour palette for a contemporary conservatory tends to be neutral; with blacks, whites, and more recently grey, being popular choices for walls and window coverings. You needn’t be that austere if it doesn’t suit you. Go for a pastel colour but just the one. Or have pops of colour in the furniture and accessories to contrast with neutral walls.

Find the best arrangement for your conservatory furniture

The most important thing is to arrange your conservatory furniture and accessories to suit its purpose. Is it for sitting and enjoying the garden, or do you hope to dine in the conservatory? Make that the focus – sofa and chairs or dining table.

Don’t assume the furniture has to be in the middle of the conservatory. Try using the outer edges. For example, a corner sofa will maximise the space for social gatherings, allowing you to position a coffee table where it’s needed. On the other hand, a good-size dining set for entertaining and family meals needs room for people to sit comfortably and for you to serve food and drink easily.

Once you’ve positioned the major pieces of furniture, you can work out where best to place your accessories: lights (no trailing cables), rugs (for comfort and to add shape to your space), tables (in easy reach).

Make sure nothing is in the way of doors – you need to be able to move in and out of your conservatory without tripping over or bumping into anything. Also, if you have a great view into your garden and beyond, then think about furniture that sits low to the floor.

When you’ve finished arranging everything, stand back and consider how your conservatory looks from both inside and outside. Does it look welcoming and well-planned? Good job!

How do you arrange furniture in a small conservatory?

Much of the guidance (above) on arranging furniture in a conservatory applies to a small conservatory. Always select pieces of furniture that are in scale with the available space. Use all of the space and pull furniture into the centre of the room, don't leave it at the edges.

Focus on whether you want to relax or dine in your conservatory, and make sure the furniture isn't taking up more space than necessary. Pick furniture with slim dimensions, avoid chunky conservatory sofas and tables or high-back chairs. A small sofa and coffee table are enough to mimic the feel of a living room. An oversized sofa will just make the space look even smaller and it will be difficult to add other key accessories such as a lamp and table. Or, for a really tight corner, use a comfy armchair and adjoining footstool to make good use of the space.

The smaller the space, the fewer accessories you need – maybe a floor lamp and a rug if there’s room. Throws are always a wonderful low-profile addition when you need a little warmth. Finally, keep the whole area clutter-free, especially the floor.

Utilise your space

When choosing furniture consider the above two sections and think about how you can cleverly use your space and furniture. If you have a smaller space perhaps you should consider multifunctional furniture. For example, nest tables that can be pulled out when needed and then tidily stored away so they don’t overwhelm the space or how about footstools with built-in storage? Multifunctional furniture ticks every box, it allows you to have the furniture you want without it taking up too much space. Conservatory furniture needs to work for you and your needs so don’t be afraid to explore different options.

Add seasonal decor to your conservatory

In the last few years we have noticed an increase in people dressing their homes based on the seasons and holidays. For example, as September draws in you will notice more pumpkin-based decor then as December gets closer this will shift again to decor with a more festive feel.

If you choose a neutral palette for your walls and furniture, such as shades of white, cream, taupe, or grey, you can add other, stronger seasonal colours. Here are some very quick conservatory decor ideas:

Cushions: swap out your conservatory cushions with different coloured ones reflecting the season.

Lighting: the most obvious trick with lighting is to add different coloured fairy lights.

Ornaments: a great opportunity to catch the eye with Christmas baubles, autumn pumpkins and cones, spring flowers and summer coastal influences.

Candles: different colours and smells can really call to mind a particular time of year.

Plants: whether real or artificial, potted plants and wreaths can be dressed for special occasions.

Flooring is key

Flooring is important as not only does it contribute to the aesthetics of the room but it has to be functional. Conservatories see a lot of footfall and of course sunlight - so choose your flooring carefully.

Usually, you will find hard flooring in a conservatory such as stone tiles, laminate or vinyl flooring. These kinds of flooring are the most popular because they are durable and low maintenance. However, you may want to carpet your conservatory because it is more cosy. Just remember that conservatories can get very warm and humid so avoid thick pile carpets because they are more likely to retain moisture.

If it’s not in the budget to get new flooring but the current flooring doesn’t match your decor style, don't panic. Rugs can be a lifesaver. There are so many shapes, sizes and colours available you will struggle to find one you don’t like. Rugs are an excellent choice as they add a bit of warmth to the room.

Regardless of if you choose new flooring or opt for a rug, we would recommend that you keep it light. Light colours don’t show the fading as much as dark or rich colours do.

The importance of lighting

Lighting is the finishing touch to your conservatory and can determine the overall mood of the room. That’s why it’s important to get it right.

Consider how you want the room to feel, do you want to create a cosy ambience or a bright open space? If you’re looking for cosy then choose a bulb with a more yellowy softer tone. However, if you want something bright then white bulbs are the way to go.

You could use lighting to enhance your overall decor style. If you’ve gone for a more maximalist look don’t be afraid to use table lamps with bold and bright shades. Maybe you’ve gone for a more coastal feel, then why not try a table lamp with a rope base?

Don’t forget about ceiling lights or wall lights, these are a perfect combination of functionality and style. Classy pendant lights can add a touch of sophistication to the room whereas rattan light shades would work beautifully alongside cane furniture and add to the natural feel.

Included in conservatory lighting is illuminating your garden, as traditionally conservatories look out onto a garden. Adding a few lights just outside the conservatory not only gives the illusion of a larger space but it gives you something to look at after the sun sets!

Style your conservatory your way

In our experience, the most successful way to style your conservatory is to make it all about your furniture. Whether you want minimalist, modern or a mix of styles and trends, you can pull your look together with colour, accessories and seasonal decor. Why not make a start with our stylish range of conservatory furniture ideas and accessories at JB Furniture.

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Have further questions about different types of garden tables we stock? Our friendly, knowledgeable team are always on hand to help, just give us a call or visit one of our showrooms in Wakefield or Newcastle.