How to Make Your Small Conservatory Look Bigger

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Posted: December 13, 2014

So everybody is dreaming of a large self build conservatory facing lots of greenery and flowers in spring. Such dreamy atmosphere seems too good to be true, and not everyone can actually afford constructing one. Being limited by space is one issue, and the other is a limited in budget. But did you know that you can still actually get a smaller conservatory and still enjoy your leisure time there?

One of the best tricks that can make your conservatory look larger is the colour scheme. By choosing paler colours for the interior walls and darker ones for the flooring, you can create an illusion of bigger space. The walls would seem wide and borderless while the floor’s colour pops, getting all your attention onto it and disregarding the limited space of the walls.

Another thing that can be done is to use patterned tiles for the flooring; but also making sure that the walls are painted with pale colours. The herringbone creates an impression that all spaces are directed inwards. This makes one feel like there is still bigger space on the sides.

As much as possible, free your conservatory from unnecessary clutter. If you are planning to display your collection of paintings, limit the number from 2 to 3. Having a lot of things hanging on the walls can be annoying.

And lastly, use tile flooring that does not need high maintenance. It should be slip-resistant and one that does not need a rug for aesthetics. Rugs occupy much space on your flooring, and if you have a small conservatory, that is not a good idea.

So there you go. You don’t have to feel limited with a small-sized self build conservatory anymore. There are more ways on how to make it look more spacious aside from the tips mentioned above. Again don’t limit yourself. After all, it is your convenience and comfort that should be satisfied and not others’.

Posted in DIY Conservatories

How to Have the Best Conservatory

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Posted: December 12, 2014

How to Have the Best Conservatory

You may have been wondering how some homeowners end up having amazing home designs using materials which are readily available to you; and to add to that, affordable too? We may blame ourselves for not being creative, or for not being brave enough to try something uncommon. This is the same feeling you get when building DIY conservatories.

Comparison really robs the satisfaction that you can get from what you have accomplished. The most important thing that you must not forget is that you are not doing something to please others. Try to reconsider the reasons why you want to build a conservatory; if you are feeling otherwise.

When you are mainly driven to make your house look better compared to your neighbours, or to impress most of your guests during social gatherings, then you surely would feel bad the time you get to see a conservatory which looks more sophisticated than yours.

But if you are driven by the need for expansion due to your house’s limited space, have a good place to relax and get away from, or to add value to your home as you are going to sell it years after, you become less vulnerable from comparing what you have to others.

After you have evaluated why you want to have your own conservatory, carefully check for the elements that make you feel comfortable for a certain place. If you love serenity and meditation then adding accents of a Japanese garden would nail it. If you are more into classic arts, then perhaps using conservative colours and shapes for the structure would help.

There is certainly nothing wrong with comparison as long as you don’t feel ungrateful for the project that you have spent time and effort for. In fact going for DIY conservatoriescan uncover how creative you are in your own way, and that alone is an accomplishment.

 

Posted in DIY Conservatories

How to Give Your Old Conservatory a Face Lift

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Posted: December 11, 2014

It is not just your house or your garage which can get a face lift. Your self build conservatory can, too. An upgrade for your conservatory may not look like a need but it can actually help in improving or even prolonging its use. It has to remain an enjoyable part of your home or it will become good as nothing.

Your conservatory upgrade does not need to be expensive. You just have to know additions you can make. Below are three things you can start with:

1. Have the glass cleaned

Now, you may have been promised that your glass is self-cleaning. It is true, but a regular check is not bad. Have your glass cleaned and inspected by window cleaners once in a while.

Inspection can also prevent or give you a heads up of future deterioration.

2. Plant shrubs around

Nothing beats seeing greenery around your glass house. Seeing greens gives you a refreshing feeling. If you don’t have any, or if they are too few, plant shrubs around and not trees.

Shrubs can withstand weather changes at the same time not a threat to your conservatory’s structure since they don’t grow tall.

3. Upgrade the lighting

And to enjoy your conservatory at night or to get either a more intimate or lively feeling as you stay there, upgrade the lighting. You can do this by adding accent lighting to your existing primary lighting.

Your types of lighting will have different switches so you can basically choose depending on your mood or the type of ambience you want to have.

Consider the different functions of your self build conservatory and you will be amazed as to how much upgrade you want to do. You may want to work with its original builders especially if the upgrade has a lot to deal with the structure.

Posted in DIY Conservatories

How to Build a Conservatory Even with a Busy Schedule

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Posted: December 10, 2014

So you got the perfect DIY conservatory in mind but now you don’t know how to start this seemingly complicated project. There are other responsibilities to attend to but you want your conservatory to be personalized and carefully done. This could be handled well if you are working with builders that you have already proved to be reliable and efficient. But what if it’s your first time?

1. Plan ahead

There is no substitute for looking ahead. This means you are equipping yourself with enough backup plans. A lot of things could go wrong with construction and you should be prepared for those.

2. Have your area surveyed

Before you leave everything in the hands of your builder, have your area surveyed, taking note of pipe lines, trees and other crucial things that should be considered for the construction.

3. DO the papers

You don’t need to know a lot of legalities in your area. All you have to do is check with the local government about the necessary papers you need to work on. You would be lucky if the size of your conservatory is still within the limits of “no-building-permit-required”.

4. Take pictures as the project progresses

In your absence during the day’s work, take pictures of how the project progresses before leaving your home and by the end of the day. This will help you evaluate productivity.

5. Always ask for a report

There are things which can’t be captured by pictures. Always ask for a report from your builder to know how everything is going.

Your DIY conservatory project can easily push through as you do your part in keeping everything in place. It may seem stressful but as long as you have a system and you stick to it, this project will not be that hard for you.

Posted in DIY Conservatories

Getting the Right Roofing for Your Conservatory

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Posted: December 9, 2014

If you want to have a lean to conservatory, you really have to be cautious about the kind of roofing that would be used and how it would be installed. Constructing one can actually be tricky if not done by experienced builders.

Setting that aside, there are also factors that you have to look into when deciding for the kind of roofing that you should get.

1. Trees

If there are trees around your conservatory, that can’t be cut down, expect that you would get a huge deposit of dried leaves weekly, especially in autumn. It’s also a given to see small branches and twigs from time to time when the day is windy.

Go for sturdy roofing material that isn’t prone to rusting and breaking.

2. Sunlight

Is there no chance that you can move to a shady part in around your house? If your conservatory is highly exposed to the sun, most of the day, then going for glass roofing would mean you have to have it tinted.

You can choose tiled roofing instead if sunlight is really unbearable.

3. Indoor plants

But if you are planning to have plants inside your conservatory, and have it function like a green house, then glass roofing would be best. Make sure enough sunlight passes through the glass so as not to compromise your plants.

4. Other functions

Consider other functions that you want to have for your conservatory. If you are new to the area, take note of the changing weather conditions. See whether your roofing material would be practical and comfortable enough for the functions your conservatory should have.

Talk to your builders and tell them what you want and need. Make sure you work with those who have already earned credibility in your area. If you are new, check for online reviews, or even have a little chit chat with people in the park. It’s always best to get the best people work on your DIY conservatory.

Posted in DIY Conservatories

Having Plants within Lean On Conservatories

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Posted: December 9, 2014

If you are planning to have plants inside your lean on conservatory, and you want them to be there for a long time, there are elements that you have to consider before starting the construction. These elements are essential if you are expecting good growth among flowering and non-flowering plants, as well as healthy produce with your fruit-bearing ones.

Having many things in your checklist, as part of your planning, could be overwhelming. It takes patience and coordination with your builder as you slowly put a check on each one, but for sure this will help you to achieve satisfaction by the end of the project.

Here are few things that you have to consider for your conservatory:

1. Water supply

Since your conservatory is lean on, can your existing water supply system provide for the new building as well? Where is the nearest faucet located?

2. Position with reference to sunlight

Just like building greenhouses, a conservatory with plants should receive enough light to promote growth. This means, you have to position your conservatory where there is abundant light in the morning, and lesser in the afternoon. Of course you don’t want to expose your green friends to the scorching heat of the sun!

3. Roofing

You can choose from tiles to glass for your roofing. But considering the health of your plants, using glass would be best. This will allow ample light to pass through. Make sure there are no trees that would obstruct sunlight.

Because lean on conservatories actually cut some costs, by using the existing wall of your house instead of building a new one, adjusting to the considerations mentioned above couldn’t be that bad. In the long run, your investment would pay off as you enjoy a relaxing place in your home and feast with your harvest.

Posted in DIY Conservatories

Dos and Donts in Maximizng the Functionality of DIY Conservatories

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Posted: December 8, 2014

One reason why homeowners decide to have DIY conservatories for their home is the functionality that it will offer. It is versatile and can function as a playroom for kids, dining area, recreational space for the whole family and many more. While a conservatory can be fully functional in the winter, it may lose its appeal and usefulness during the summer season or spring when the homeowner allows it to happen. You can certainly do a lot of things to keep a conservatory functional the whole year round. Below is a list of dos and don’ts that you can observe.

 

Dos

1. Do plant trees and flowers around and within your conservatory. They can certainly help cool the area during the summer season. Both flowering plants and non-flowerings shrubs which can provide shade can be added to your conservatory.

2. Do add blinds and curtains to block the sun’s rays during the day and the early afternoon. With these, staying in your conservatory even in the summer is possible.

3. Do add furniture inside your conservatory. Couches, tables and chairs may be added to your conservatory to make you and your family comfortable. You can make it your lounge area to relax and share some quality time with the whole family.

Don’ts

1. Don’t over-design your conservatory. Keep it simple and as minimalistic as possible. This will help create an airy ambiance compared to a seemingly overstuffed space. Minimize the use of big furniture. You want to save space and a small table, a couch and some chairs would already be enough.

2. Don’t store your unused stuff in your conservatory. It is not a storage room! Throw the things you don’t need or recycle them.

3. Don’t let warm air to get in. Close the doors and windows if necessary. You can also make use of blinds and curtains for the windows to prevent heat from seeping in. When heat gets trapped inside, it will feel very uncomfortable during summer days.

Posted in DIY Conservatories

DIY Conservatories as Additional Attraction

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Posted: December 7, 2014

DIY conservatories are not that expensive as they seem to be. The visual features may trick us a little bit and think it is just for those who can afford expensive roofing, regular maintenance and other modern systems.

Each conservatory can have different functions depending on the features we choose to customize it with. Some use tiled roofing so as not to get direct sunlight; which is very common for conservatories that are mainly used as dining or receiving area.

Other homeowners use insulated glass roofing or sometimes tinted ones to enjoy just enough light during the day as well as evening lights. Tinted roofing also offers privacy for conservatories that are situated near public vicinity.

Some conservatories are limited by seasons, which means they are highly functional during winter and abandoned in summer, mostly dependent on the kind of materials used in its building.

But did you know that by housing some indoor plants or building a little koi pond, you can actually transform inexpensive conservatories to look more sophisticated and attractive? This means it is not about how much money you put into constructing one but how creative and free you are.

You can build a small version of botanical, Japanese, or urban vegetable garden. The availability of sunlight is always in abundance which makes it easy for you to grow as much greens as you want. Your conservatory can actually hold different types of garden and the list is limitless.

With these in mind, you can adjust the type of materials as well as the design itself depending on the purpose of your DIY conservatory. You can really be in full control of how much you can put on your project and at the same time not compromise the attraction it can add to your home.

Posted in DIY Conservatories

Creative Types of Conservatories

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Posted: December 6, 2014

Creative Types of Conservatories

There are different types of DIY conservatories and basically there is no limit when it comes to its function, as long as you are convenient about it; and at the same time safety is highly considered.

You don’t necessarily have to depend on trend to get the best type of conservatory for you. In fact, there are homeowners who have gone beyond the usual functions.

1. Pool

If you have a pool in the backyard, you may have experienced the pain of having to clean it from dry leaves and other unnecessary objects that are floating there. But when you house your pool in a conservatory, you are being saved by such mundane work.

At the same time, you will get a more private experience as you swim. It can make you feel secured at the same time as you indulge with this type of relaxation.

2. Working area

Getting enough light is a need for those who are into crafts such as sewing and embroidery. You need enough light to see things in detail but doing it outside could mean inconvenience since you need to have your working materials with you.

But having a conservatory as your working area makes you productive. Another benefit that you will have with conservatory as your working area is that you save electricity as you work at daytime since you get good sunlight.

3. Walkway

If your property is too big, and you experience frequent raining in your area, your conservatory as your walkway is best. You can even add some benches and enjoy mornings sitting there.

There are more types of DIY conservatories that are creatively used. Evaluate your needs and don’t just settle for what you see in your neighbourhood. In any case, you are the one who’s going to spend for it, so your needs are the ones which should be met.

Posted in DIY Conservatories

Checklist in Deciding for a Conservatory

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Posted: December 5, 2014

Checklist in Deciding for a Conservatory

You may now be in the process of deciding whether you would go for a self build conservatory or not. You may think that you need more space because your house is feeling smaller and smaller each year. But are you really sure about it?

Are you sure that you need a conservatory and not extension instead? These two are quite similar since they both offer more space. But the latter has limited restrictions compared to the first.

To get a resolve, answer these 3 questions:

1. How often will you use it?

What is the main function of your conservatory? Do you intend to spend most of your daily routine there? If yes, you will surely have issues during summer heat and the cold days of winter. A conservatory is like a conductor of cold and heat. Certainly, you can’t just spend most of your time here.

2. What kind of furniture or electric appliances goes there?

Depending on the license you would get, the kind of electric appliances that you can house in your conservatory would be more limited compared to an extension space.

As for furniture, if you are going to use wooden ones, prepare for color fading. Since this space is mainly made of glass, UV rays will have all the access to your wooden furniture.

3. Is your neighbourhood safe?

And did you know that getting a conservatory can actually make your property look vulnerable? It looks really easy to break in. If your neighbourhood is safe, having a conservatory is not a bad idea.

Of course, it depends on you whether you would go for it or not. If you have your alternatives on how to fully enjoy your self build conservatory then by all means go for it. After all, putting it up is already an asset since it increases the value of your property.

Posted in DIY Conservatories

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