The reason for making the addition of a conservatory to your home is to compliment your house and extend the usable living space out into your garden. It is important to keep this basic goal in mind when planning your conservatory as well as when you design it after construction is completed. While utilizing the services of a professional design expert - particularly one that is well-versed in conservatory design – is helpful, the final product will be much more comfortable for you and will accomplish your goals while suiting your tastes if you familiarize yourself with the important aspects of the conservatory and consider the primary and secondary uses of the space. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Before you even begin the conservatory ordering process, consider the space that you want the conservatory to include. Consider the types of furnishings that you want included in that space as well. It may help to use string and stakes to mark out a rough area where you want it to be so that you can get a more accurate visual representation of how large the external and internal areas will be. You can also use this tactic to see what sizes of furniture you will be able to fit in the conservatory after it is completed.
Always make the entrance to your conservatory from an area of your home that you use most often. This is usually the kitchen or a room adjacent to the kitchen. This will allow easy access to and from the oft-used portions of your home without confusing your guest traffic by diverting them through other areas. Additionally, it makes carrying things to and from the kitchen much easier when you are dining in your new conservatory.
If you can, try not to place the door that goes out into the garden directly across from the door that leads into the home from the conservatory. This will create a corridor effect and will make placing furniture less simple. You want your conservatory to be a place for comfortable gatherings, not a hallway to the outdoors.
Don’t build a smaller conservatory that you believe that you will use. If you are able to afford it and the area in your garden permits it, you may want to consider actually constructing your conservatory at least a few square feet larger than you originally intended. This way you will not be caught with a much smaller conservatory than you planned and will save you the potential trouble of building additional room later on.
Do your best to select materials that will compliment your home. If at all possible, match the exterior materials of your home with the exterior materials of the conservatory. This way, the conservatory will look much more like a natural extension of the house than an afterthought. Additionally, ensure that the shape of the conservatory doesn’t disrupt the exterior aesthetics of the home. Your home was designed in a particular manner and you want to compliment that design rather than hinder it.
As you look around it may seem that there are many conservatory styles to choose from. But the majority are based on Victorian, Edwardian, or a modern lean-to style. There are some exceptions with companies offering Georgian or Regency conservatories for example.
Many bespoke conservatories are made up from the basic styles, using the lean-to to link units or adding several Victorian or Edwardian bays to give a conservatory its own unique look. Don’t be surprised that what one company calls a Victorian style, for example, is referred to as something else by another firm.
If you aren’t sure what you want - get brochures from several companies, surf the internet, and visit sales rooms to look at the variations of styles offered.
Make a sketch of what you would like and see how different designs best fit this. Ask a salesman to come up with a design, sketch or a computer drawn image so that you have a better idea of what you are buying.
Don’t be put off by sales talk. If one company talks about bays and another splays, ask what they mean. You won’t look silly, you will just be ensuring that you know what you are paying for.
The same applies when it comes to the number of walls - would you believe they can even be counted differently - that’s where a sketch or design is so valuable.
If a salesperson isn’t prepared to ensure you know what you are buying, then it is probably a sign that the service given by the company won’t be very good either.
If you are bowled over by the look and style of something in a brochure, take the time to look at the materials used and if they suit the style of the conservatory and how they will suit your home.
And just remember that you are the customer. You need good service, sound explanations and to be absolutely convinced that you are making the right choice for you and your home.