13 Conservatory refurbishment ideas: Bring an old conservatory back to life

Do you have an old conservatory that could use a little bit of TLC? If so, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we will be discussing 13 conservatory refurbishment ideas that will help bring your old conservatory back to life. Whether you’re looking to update your conservatory’s appearance or make it more energy-efficient, we’ve got you covered. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

The benefits of refurbishing your existing conservatory

Refurbishing your conservatory can be a great way to add value to your home, as well as make it more energy-efficient and comfortable. Here are some of the main benefits of refurbishing an old conservatory:

Increased energy efficiency

Depending on what materials you use for your refurbishment, you could reduce the amount of heat lost in winter or keep the interior cooler in summer. This can save you money on energy bills and help with climate control.

Improved appearance

Refurbishing your conservatory can give it a fresh new look that will improve its overall appearance and make it more inviting.

Greater comfort

Installing double glazing and insulation can help reduce noise pollution and make your conservatory feel cosier when you’re relaxing in it.

Now that you understand the benefits of refurbishing an old conservatory, let’s take a look at some ideas to help you get started:

1. Install a new conservatory roof

Replacing or repairing your existing roof with new tiles, slates or conservatory roof panels can make a massive difference to the appearance of your conservatory.

For instance, choosing a glass roof for conservatory roof replacement can be a fantastic option as it will let in more natural light and make the space feel airier. An example of a really elegant style for this would be a conservatory roof lantern which will make a stunning feature of your conservatory.

You also have many materials and styles to choose from when it comes to a replacement conservatory roof, whether it be a polycarbonate roof, tiled roof or aluminium roof – each with having ranging benefits and costs.

2. Add insulation to your conservatory

Adding insulation materials to your conservatory walls and roof will help keep your conservatory more comfortable all year round by reducing noise pollution and providing greater thermal performance helping you keep the conservatory warmer by keeping the outside temperature out.

One very effective way of doing this is by adding insultation board to any external walls or roof to quickly and affectively have improved thermal efficiency.

3. Replace the conservatory windows or install double glazing

Double glazing is one of the most effective ways of improving your conservatory’s energy efficiency. Glazing technology helps reduce heat loss in winter and can keep the interior cooler in summer.

If your conservatory windows are old and tired, replacing them could make a huge difference in terms of appearance and energy efficiency. You can also opt for triple glazing to provide even better insulation.

Another idea when it comes to replacing conservatory windows and doors, is to add self cleaning glass. Doing this can significantly reduce how often you need to clean your conservatory, saving you time and energy, and letting you enjoy your conservatory more.

4. Add new bifold or patio doors to conservatory

Conservatory refurbishments don’t have to be limited to your roof and windows, you can also update the doors too. Installing new bifold or patio doors will give your conservatory an instant modern boost and open up its garden access.

What’s more, you’ll also benefit from extra insulation provided by these type of doors. Bifold and patio doors are available in a variety of colours and materials, so you can find the ideal fit for your conservatory.

5. Replace conservatory flooring

Another great conservatory refurbishment idea is to replace your flooring. This is a great way to give your conservatory a modern feel and can make an old space look brand new.

The materials you choose will depend on the existing floor structure and what type of conservatory you have, but some popular options are laminate, engineered wood or vinyl tiles.

If you find yourself getting cold in the conservatory in winter, you could also explore underfloor heating as conservatory flooring idea as this will help to keep the space warm and comfortable.

6. Make it open plan

When thinking of how to remodel your existing conservatory, you could consider removing any dividing walls and open up the space.

Creating an open plan conservatory has become increasingly popular in recent years as it allows you to maximise the potential of your existing space, plus it can look incredibly stylish and modern.

7. Change the conservatory shape or design

Depending on what size of conservatory refurbishment project you’re after, it could be worth exploring new conservatory designs or shapes as a complete overhaul.

If you’re looking for something to really transform your space and make a statement, this could be the perfect option for you.

You can also choose from many different conservatory styles such as Victorian, Edwardian or Gable-ended and pick the right combination of materials to compliment your home.

Additionally you could even change the shape, maybe opting for a P shaped conservatory instead of a lean to conservatory, adding in extra living space with a whole additional room or extension.

8. Apply paint or wallpaper to walls and floors

If your conservatory walls are looking a little tired, some additional conservatory refurbishment ideas would be to apply paint or wallpaper to the walls and floors.

This will give your conservatory an instant refresh and make it look like a completely new space. You could even add a feature wall or bright colour scheme to really liven up the area.

9. Updating furniture, accessories or plants

Finally, one of the simplest ways to give your conservatory a new look is to simply update the furniture and accessories.

This could be anything from replacing sofas, chairs or tables with something more modern, to adding plush cushions and throws. You could also add some extra greens into the room in the form of plants or flowers. Some great conservatory plants include ferns, spider plants and orchids.

10. Decorate windows with curtains, blinds, or shutters

Adding window treatments such as blinds or shutters are a great way to bring some extra style and character to your conservatory, as well as providing privacy when needed.

Curtains are also a great option, as they can be used to softly diffuse the light coming into your conservatory and create a cosy atmosphere.

One of our favourite things to do if you’re planning on replacing the conservatory doors, is to add patio doors with built in blinds. These will look great and provide a modern finish, plus you can choose from an array of fabrics to really make the doors stand out.

11. Choose the right lighting

Lighting is essential in any living space, and it can really set the mood for an area and bring a conservatory to life.

You could opt for traditional wall lights or spotlights, or you could go for something more modern such as pendant lights or LED strip lighting. Conservatory fan lights can also be a great option if you find things a bit hot in the summer, as they have two purposes and are much more energy efficient (and a lot cheaper) than adding air conditioning.

You could also explore different options for natural light, such as skylights or bi-fold doors.

Finally, why not add some solar powered lights to the outside of your conservatory for those summer evenings when you’d like to spend time outdoors?

Whichever you choose, changing around your conservatory lighting as part of your conservatory refurbishment project can make a huge difference to how the place feels.

12. Plastered vaulted ceilings

If you’re looking for a more traditional feel, one of our favourite conservatory refurbishment ideas would be to add plastered vaulted ceilings.

This will give your conservatory an elegant and timeless look whilst opening up the room, adding height and creating the illusion of space.

You could also add some ornate coving or cornicing around the edges to really bring out some of the detailing.

Alternatively, you could explore other options such as adding a false ceiling to cover up any cracked or discoloured areas.

Whatever you choose, bringing a little extra detail to your conservatory will make it look and feel much more luxurious.

13. Convert the conservatory to an orangery

The final conservatory refurbishment idea on our list is to turn it into an orangery by adding corner pillars.

Although this is a slightly more drastic change, it can make all the difference to a tired conservatory and will help to add value to your home.

The addition of brick or stonework pillars will really give the space an eye-catching feature, as well as creating a grand entrance hall feel.

You could also opt for bi-fold doors instead of traditional conservatory doors, as these will further enhance the grandeur and make the area feel much more spacious.

Whilst this may be an expensive option and could end up being close to a total conservatory replacement, the result would be a stunning area to entertain or relax in.

If you want to explore this option more check out full guide on converting a conservatory into an orangery.

How to decide which refurbishment ideas to use

We’ve gone through 11 difference conservatory refurbishment ideas for you to explore, but how do you decide which ones are right for you?

The main things to consider when deciding which ideas to use, is what your budget and time frame are.

For example, if you’re trying to keep costs down then adding window treatments or changing the lighting could be cheaper alternatives compared to a full conservatory replacement.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a dramatic transformation then converting your conservatory into an orangery could be the way to go.

If you some additional assistance, consulting a conservatory refurbishment service may be a good option as they can help you to decide which options are best for your needs and budget.