Conservatory blinds, and ten ways to update your conservatory

If your conservatory is overdue for an update, the following tips can help give it a fresh new look without breaking the bank.

1. Conservatory blinds

Conservatory blinds are an easy way to update the look of your conservatory with plenty of added benefits. You get privacy and protection from the glare of the sun in a range of materials and colours to complement your décor.

2. New seating

Whether it’s a new settee or chaise, a soft armchair or a swing seat, updating the seating in your conservatory is an easy way to refresh the look. If new furniture is more than your budget can manage, you can still give your conservatory a makeover with a few new cushions and cosy throws.

3. Homely touches

If you want a conservatory that looks and feels like an extension of your home, choose cosy fabrics and wallpaper that give the space a “real room” style. Sturdy furniture in rattan or wood are excellent for lending a permanence to your conservatory so that you can enjoy it all through theyear.

4. Dining focus

If you use your conservatory as a casual dining room, don’t ignore the impact of a well-set table. Swap tablecloths and tableware for each season, and dress up your table with a vase of colourful flowers or a show-stopping centrepiece.

5. Soften windows

The full-length windows in a conservatory can sometimes benefit from the contrast of soft, plush furniture. With little wall space to hang artwork or photos, you can add colour to the room with eye-catching patterns and bold shades on cushions, throws, furniture and conservatory roof blinds.

6. A touch of the outdoors

Achieve a pretty garden look indoors with potted plants and botanical prints inspired by nature. Brighten up your conservatory with white furniture and cushions to prevent the space looking too much like a jungle.

7. Statement furniture

Sometimes, updating just one piece of furniture with a bold statement piece is all the renovation that your conservatory needs. Choose a great sofa, a beautiful chaise or a retro-inspired dining set to add some style to a tired conservatory.

8. Vintage charm

Carefully selected vintage accents, such as furniture, tableware, lamps, artwork or even an antique screen in place of conservatory blinds, can add charm and interest to your space.

9. French country style

Fresh white paint on walls and furniture provide the perfect backdrop for tasteful blue accents and rustic touches. A casual French country style is a lovely look for your conservatory.

10. Tropical accents

Think bright, bold colours and leafy green plants and trees to make you feel like you’re relaxing on a beach somewhere warm and tropical, no matter the season.

11. Year-round comfort

To truly update your conservatory, why not commit to an insulated conservatory roof? You’ll get better temperature regulation and energy efficiency than with conservatory blinds for a more comfortable, usable space.

A beginner’s guide to DIY conservatory blinds

If you’ve been considering blinds for your conservatory, you may be surprised to know that you don’t have to spend a fortune on bespoke design or professional installation. With a little patience – and perhaps the aid of an online video tutorial – you can DIY a decent set of blinds for your conservatory.

We hope that this quick guide will help you get started.

The basics

You can find DIY conservatory blinds at most builders’ supplies or DIY stores. These kits include everything that you’ll need to install your own blinds, including material, fittings and hardware. All you need to do is measure your conservatory windows correctly.

There are four main types of conservatory blinds for you to consider:

• Venetian blinds.
• Vertical blinds.
• Roller blinds.
• Roman blinds.

There are pros and cons to each of these types of conservatory blinds, sodo some research to help you decide which is best for your space. Keep in mind colour and style, durability, practicality and energy efficiency.

Measuring correctly

The key to a successful DIY installation of conservatory roof blinds is to measure your windows properly.Take your time with this step as it’s critical to ensure a good fit.

If you want your conservatory blinds to cover just the glass pane itself, measure only the inside recess of each window at the top, middle and bottom for height, and the left, middle and right for width. Write down each measurement, and then take only the smallest number for both height and width as the true measurement.

If you want the blinds to cover the whole window, frame and all, measure the outside recess of each window. Again, take measurements in three positions – top, middle and bottom for height, and left, middle and right for width.

Fitting your conservatory blinds

The proper fitting method will depend on your DIY kit manufacturer, the type of blinds you’ve chosen, and how your conservatory is built, but the basic principles are generally the same.

It’s important to make sure that you’re installing your conservatory blinds straight and level to avoid the sloppy look of crooked window coverings.

Next, you’ll have to decide if you want to fix your blinds to the window frame or to the lintel. The instructions included with your DIY kit should recommend the best method for the type of blindsyou’ve chosen.

Take care when drilling. Be sure tohave a good drill and sharp, new drill bits at hand as drilling into a lintel can be difficult and drilling into UPVC is a bit tricky. However, if you go slowly and measure precisely, you shouldn’t have much trouble.

Conclusion

Installing conservatory roof blinds is a project for experienced DIY-ers. If this isn’t you, consider a more effective solution with an insulated conservatory roof. You’ll get dramatically improved temperature regulation and energy efficiency without sacrificing everything you love about having a conservatory for a lovely, comfortable space you can enjoy all year round.