Think back in time to conservatories you remember from the 1980s, 1990s or even the early 2000s. Chances are you’re imagining a characterless uPVC greenhouse; a quick extension bolted on the side of a property. No style, no purpose and no forethought as to the best use for the space.

The fact is conservatories felt too hot in summer and too cold in winter, discouraging their use. Many conservatories became a waste ground – an uneasy, junk-filled link between the house and garden.

Times have changed. Conservatories today are highly liveable spaces – stylish, well-considered and temperate. The humble blind is among the reasons for this shift, offering a chance to add colour and charm to the conservatory, as well as temperature control and improving privacy.

The best blinds for conservatories

Enjoying wide, open landscapes is one of the best things about having a conservatory. But there are also times when a bit of privacy is appreciated. And then there are those fleeting moments when the sun’s glare gets too much and a touch of shade is necessary. High-quality conservatory blinds balance these requirements.

Pleated and roller blinds are great choices. The fabrics offer excellent privacy, but also tuck away at the top of the window frame, leaving uninterrupted views of the outdoors. Alternatively, Perfect Fit blinds are ideal too. This design is fixed within a casing that clips into uPVC frames, becoming part of the window for a smart finish that also opens wide.

The truth is, just the little privacy offered by these blinds immediately increases the options for using a conservatory, opening it up to almost every purpose.

What’s trending?

Sheer fabrics are extremely popular. The veil-like material reduces the worst of the sun’s glare and also offers cover from outside, without completely cutting off the world.

In terms of colours, calm greys are very ‘now’. They won’t draw the eye away from the lush views on offer when partially raised. And when lowered, the simple style won’t overcomplicate the decor in the conservatory.

What about shutters?

Conservatories and shutters are a natural fit. It’s possible to fit shutters to windows of almost all shapes and sizes, so the tall, floor-to-ceiling windows in conservatories are no problem. And in fact, tall shutters look impressive, giving a conservatory a sense of stature.

Other than their dashing looks, shutters can be opened fully, leaving the window and that all-important view there to enjoy. If a middle ground is needed, keep the panels closed and open the slats, creating a shaded and secluded space with a hint of the outside on show. What’s more, the windows can be left ajar with the shutter panels closed and slats open, letting a lovely breeze inside and cooling the conservatory on those hot summer days.

Most common uses for UK conservatories

According to a new study of British homeowners and renters with conservatories, the most popular ways to utilise this extra space are as a dining room and an extra living room, with some of respondents also admitting that they used their conservatory as a home gym, a pet room or a cinema room.

A new piece of research has revealed more about how homeowners and renters use their conservatory space and the company behind the study is now calling for UK homeowners to explore the wider potential of their conservatories.

Web Blinds polled 2583 adults, aged 21 and over, for the study, all of whom either rented or owned a UK property with a conservatory.

Participants were initially asked if the fact the property came with a conservatory played a large part in their decision to purchase or rent the home, with the vast majority (72%) admitting the extra space was a key influencing factor in going ahead with choosing their home. Of the remaining individuals, 17% revealed that they would’ve ideally liked more garden space with the home and 11% stated that they would’ve chosen to live in their house regardless of whether it had a conservatory or not.

Next, all those taking part were asked to reveal what they currently used their conservatory space for, with the most common answers revealed as follows:

• A dining room – 41%
• A separate living room – 28%
• A playroom for children – 11%
• A home gym – 6%
• A pet/animal room – 4%

Of the more unusual answers given to researchers, 2% of participants revealed they used the space as a home office, with another 2% utilising the space as an additional bedroom. Three people had invested in blackout blinds and projectors in order to turn their conservatory into a home cinema room and one person had even been granted planning permission and had turned their large conservatory into an indoor swimming pool.

Converting a conservatory into a home cinema

Believe it or not blackout blinds in conservatories are increasingly ‘a thing’ and it’s nothing to do with getting a good night’s sleep. A surprising number of people choose white blackout blinds and use them as a projector screen.

The blackout fabric helps stop outside light shining through, darkening the conservatory and creating a real movie-watching atmosphere. Then the white screen comes into its own as the perfect backdrop to an indie flick or a blockbuster hit.

This novel way to use blinds also helps make the most of a conservatory. Now, it’s more than a dayroom – it’s a home cinema at night too.

For example, one of Web Blinds’ clients required a blackout roller blind for her sunroom-cum-movie room. The sunroom, unsurprisingly, benefits from a lot of sun and the family loved relaxing in the space and used it as an extra living room.

The client wanted to put a projector screen over the 3m wide window. In such a bright room, it was essential that the client chose a product with a blackout coating.

Web Blinds supplied the blackout blinds for the client’s movie room. When the blinds are pulled down, the sunny room is transformed into an atmospheric cinema room. The room is now used more often than the living room.