Perhaps you’re here because you’ve been eyeing up that underused conservatory and thinking that it would be much better used as your home office. You could be onto something. And we’ve got all of the conservatory office ideas and guidance you need to make it happen.
At Slouch, we’re all about transforming spaces into havens for working. After all, if you’re not comfortable it doesn’t matter what your office looks like, whether it’s in a high-rise office block or a conservatory. Add in a comfy office chair with adjustable height, lumbar support and seat positioning and you’ll be right at home.
Now, let’s get into exactly how else to make that conservatory your dream workspace.
Why should you transform your conservatory into a home office?
There are a lot of reasons why conservatories can make fantastic home offices. Here are some of the biggest draws.
- Incredible natural lighting – One of the biggest benefits is that you’ll get to work in the fantastic natural lighting a conservatory offers.
In fact, using as much natural lighting as you can rather than relying purely on electrical lighting is one of our top green office ideas.
- Makes good use of existing space – For lots of people, their conservatory is a room without a clearly defined purpose. Because of this, they often aren’t used to their full advantage.
- Creates work/life separation – Create that all-important separation between work and home life. Having a dedicated office space helps you mentally switch off at the end of the day and stop thinking about work, even when you work from home.
- A room with a view – A garden view definitely beats most offices’ views of industrial parks, busy traffic, car parks or even brick walls.
- Open plan layout – Conservatories offer a blank canvas with plenty of space to design your ideal workspace. You can split your space into distinct zones for different activities.
With plenty of great reasons to make more of your conservatory, we’ll walk you through how to make it happen.
Conservatory office ideas, tips and guidance
As promised, here’s Slouch’s big list of things to know and consider if you’re planning to take the plunge and convert your space.
Consider how you’ll heat and cool your space
The thing about all of those lovely windows that let in heaps of light is that they can make keeping the temperature stable one of the biggest challenges. Getting this right will be key to making sure you can use the space comfortably.
Heating
Heating the conservatory is the main hurdle, as the large surface area of glass doesn’t provide the same insulation as solid walls. Here are some popular methods to consider:
Radiators: Some conservatories will already have central heating – if this covers your heating needs then you don’t need to worry about how to warm up your office during work hours.
However, if your radiators aren’t warming up the space well enough, consider having more installed.
Remember to hire a qualified plumbing contractor to do the work, as you don’t want to risk any leaks in your system.
Underfloor heating: Installing underfloor heating can help you feel far more warm. It’s a neat psychological trick that if our extremities feel warm then we perceive our bodies as being less cold.
Rugs: If underfloor heating isn’t in the budget then even just adding a rug underfoot can help make the space feel far more snug. It can also help to protect your flooring from office chair wheels!
Roof insulation: Improve your thermal insulation by having your roof insulated. This isn’t cheap, but can make a big difference to how your office conservatory will retain heat.
Thermal blinds: These can also be a game-changer. They help keep warmth in during winter and reflect heat in summer, making your workspace usable all year round. Plus, they’re great for managing glare on your screen on those super-bright days.
Portable heaters: As a final option, don’t forget how well portable heaters can warm up a conservatory. Plus, there are far more energy-efficient options than there used to be.
Cooling
Just as the large glass windows make it tricky to retain heat in Winter, they can also trap in the bright sun during Summer. Here’s how to combat it.
Blinds and curtains: Make sure you have blinds and curtains fitted across your windows. They’ll reflect the sun’s rays before they can heat up your space. As mentioned above, thermal options work particularly well here – especially if you can find ones that are light-coloured on the outside to reflect heat.
Fans: If opening the windows in your conservatory office just isn’t cutting it, a good fan can make all the difference. Desk fans are great for cooling you down while you work and pedestal fans can help circulate air around the whole space. For larger conservatories, consider a ceiling fan for better overall airflow.
Portable AC unit: If all else fails, purchase a portable AC unit to get some relief. Morden units are smaller and quieter than ever before and can be tucked away in storage over the Winter months.
While it might take some trial and error to perfect your heating and cooling setup, you’ll likely find a solution that works for you. After all, it’s the price you pay for a light and airy space to work in instead of an office with no windows.
Create a multi-use space
Conservatories offer the ability to section off the open plan spaces into different zones. With some office storage units you can section off an area for your work as well as creating a distinct area to relax in. That way you can really get the best from the room.
Plan out how you’ll get wifi and electricity
It may be that your conservatory already has enough power points, however as many were built with leisure in mind there might not be enough space to plug in everything you need for your work setup. A qualified electrician will be able to add more outlets where you need them.
Wifi can be tricky too. Before you get carried away with these conservatory office ideas, test whether your wifi connection reaches to your conservatory. Sometimes it’s beyond the boundary of what your router will provide. Purchase a wifi extender if needed – if you plug it into an outlet it will extend the range.
While you’re sorting out your technology setup, make sure that any loose wires are secured so they aren’t a trip hazard. Implement an office cable management system to keep your space safe and neat.
Check your conservatory office security
If you’re planning to fill your conservatory with expensive office equipment, it’s worth thinking about security. Conservatories typically have lots of entry points and glass panels that could make them vulnerable. Consider additional locks on windows and doors and extend your home security system to cover this area
Make your space your own
Our final tip is to embrace your new space and get decorating. New office furniture and storage in just the beginning of the story. Shape the space into a calming and productive space to both work and play with decor like curtains, plants and aesthetic desk essentials.
Perfect your new home office
Wherever you work from, comfort is key.
From garden rooms to conservatories and even attics – we love knowing that our comfortable office chairs can help turn anywhere into a productive workspace. Here’s how Vika added a Slouch Task One chair to her attic office, showing just how simple our chairs are to install and set up to perfectly support your back.
Check out Slouch’s highly adjustable ergonomic office chairs and sleek matching office desks to bring this comfort to your own space. And of course, we’ll keep on adding helpful guidance on how you can get the best from your workspace on our blog.
Have questions for our customer service team? Get in touch at [email protected].
