Conservatory Furniture

If you've noticed conservatory furniture before, whether it be online, in a shop, at a friends or your own house, you'll have noticed that it is usually made in a different way to the furniture in the rest of the home.

Why shouldn't I use normal home furniture in my conservatory?

When the temperature outside takes a dip (it has also been known to swell here in the UK, too), you'll notice that it will also happen in the conservatory. This is due to their lack of insulation allowing any heat to conduct itself outside.

Similarly, if the temperature does in fact increase or the sun shows itself, heat will easily radiate itself inside through the transparent walls and roof.

These large variances in temperature, coupled with the often less air-tight and damp resistance mean that normal home furnitures less durable construction vastly decreases their potential life span.

As well as this, heat transfer by radiation isn't the only problem that the sun can pose, but its ultra-violet rays have a tendency to fade materials colours.

Furniture designed for use in the conservatory

Conservatory furniture is usually made from woven woods, including the most popular, Rattan, as well as others such as Wicker, Banana leaf, but may also be made from man-made materials such as Resin.

This type of construction is more apt for dealing with the conditions found in conservatory's, such as humid or cold atmospheres, and are generally more tough and durable.

As well as this, there are other benefits which can help when attaining furniture for a conservatory, including the construction allowing for easier transportation because of its lighter weight, and conveniently, the material cushioning of such furniture is easily replaceable. This is a large benefit, because as we have already learnt, it is possible for materials kept in a conservatory to fade, allowing them to be renewed for a fraction of the cost.

Coordinating conservatory style

When it comes to coordinating the style you want to go for when choosing conservatory furniture, it can help to define whether you consider yours as part of the house, part of your garden, or a combination of the two.

For example, if your conservatory opens onto decking, it might be worth considering the relative style of cushions and type of weave material in relation to the type and colour of the decking or possible outdoor furniture.

Conversely, if the conservatory's adjoining room is almost connected, or part of the conservatory itself, which might be the case if there are large transparent sliding doors, then it might be a better idea to coordinate the theme with the room in question.

Benefits for your home

All in all, despite the negativities of a conservatory, it can in fact be a space that gets nearly as much use as the rest of the house. A large part of its inclusion as a living area can be the choice of furniture, and this decision is ultimately yours, and as long as the space is somewhere pleasing to you, it is more likely to add more value, whether that be monetary, lifestyle or general ambiance.

Edward Sloane is the ownder and MD of Home Life Direct, one of the UK's leading online furniture retailers.