How to Keep Your Conservatory Warm in Winter

Conservatories are great, aren’t they? A whole new room added to your house that’s far cheaper, quicker and less upheaval than an extension. You won’t generally need planning permission for a conservatory either. 

But the best thing about a conservatory is all that glass making the room light, bright and airy and the perfect place in summer to work, read or entertain. It’s no wonder estate agents in Essex and Kent, along with less rural areas, say conservatories remain on many potential purchasers’ wishlists. 

However, in the winter, conservatories become less appealing. With glass being less insulating than brick walls, conservatories can get very cold, making the room less inviting to work, read or entertain in. 

It’s a shame to have a room unused for most of the time, so, with that in mind, how can you make your conservatory a room you want to spend all year in, not just the warmer months? 

You can, of course, get a roof put on your conservatory but the whole point of a conservatory is that they’re mostly glass, so below we’ll show you how to keep your conservatory warm in winter. 

Blinds, curtains and soft furnishings 

Heat escapes through glass, therefore blinds or curtains will help to keep the cold out and will also minimise any drafts from the windows. Along with blinds and/or curtains, soft furnishings such as throws, blankets and cushions will retain heat and take the edge off the cold from any hard chairs or non-fabric sofas. 

If you have a hard floor, consider putting down carpet instead. We realise carpet’s not usually the first choice for a conservatory, so placing rugs down to stop heat escaping through any gaps in the floor will also work. Rugs also have the added bonus of being much warmer under your feet than wood, laminate or vinyl flooring. 

Electric radiators 

If your conservatory is really cold in winter, you might be tempted to install central heating. However, installing central heating in a conservatory is edging more towards an extension than a conservatory, plus installing central heating is expensive, disruptive and may possibly require planning permission. 

Electric radiators, on the other hand, are perfect for conservatories, as they’re attractive, affordable and energy efficient. 

Furniture 

People generally furnish their conservatories quite sparsely. A few pieces of wicker furniture, a few plants and that’s about it. 

However, an empty room is a cold room and fabric absorbs and retains heat. So, have a think about swapping that cold, wicker furniture for fabric chairs and sofas instead.  

Reduce the risk of mold

We’re not suggesting your conservatory is moldy, but mold can lead to a drop in temperature, so it’s best to be avoided if possible. In fact, mold is best avoided anyway as, more importantly than a drop in temperature, it’s harmful to health. 

You can help prevent mold growing in your conservatory by investing in a dehumidifier to remove the excess water in the air. 

With these few tips on how to keep your conservatory warm in winter, you should be able to enjoy your room all year round, not just in the summer.