A conservatory is a great way to add value and extra space to your home. However, being built primarily of glass or perspex, they've gained something of a reputation for being hot and humid during the summer, and draughty and cold in the winter. Now, thanks to modern insulation, your conservatory, sunroom or solarium can be enjoyed all year round. For something even cosier, opt for a brick-built orangery and with the right décor, your glazed space can be transformed into a chic, stylish space...

Create warm linear shadows in your conservatory by installing window treatments such as Venetian blinds or shutters. It's an easy and attractive way of controlling light and temperature in the room. We love how these shutters echo the tone and material of the wood frames and lead to seamless style and colour throughout. 

For a seamless continuation from the main house into the sunroom use the same floor tiles for both areas. This works especially well if the conservatory doors are bi-fold style. A large soft rug defines the inside as a homely area whereas the external space will feel outdoorsy yet sheltered. 

Create an indoor tropical paradise in your conservatory with a wicker hanging chair. Fill the wow-factor feature with puffy palm-print pillows and use the advantage of warm indoor temperatures to grow heat-loving potted plants such as jungle palms and desert cacti. 

Garden rooms and outdoor home offices are super popular in these times but instead of building a brand new detached space, why not convert a conservatory into a home office instead?  The benefits of working in a light-filled room and inspirational garden views remain, but it's a much shorter trip to put the kettle on! We love the relaxed charm of this narrow, lean-to conservatory with a vintage display of wall mirrors to increase the sense of space. 

Break the boundaries between porch and conservatory living with an enclosed terrace complete with pretty painted shutters. In warmer climates, this is the perfect combination. Slated walls let cool air flow through while attractive shutters add privacy, shelter and shade to keep stylish furniture and fabrics protected. 

If you are lucky enough to own an outdoor swimming pool turn your sunroom into a pop-up pool house with whitewashed wood walls and natural oak board-walk style flooring. At The Art House, rattan patio chairs in bright colours complete the vintage seaside style. 

Build a cave-like hideaway by carving a conservatory out of stone walls. Rustic steps, painted clad walls and wicker furniture gives this small conservatory a rustic and cosy atmosphere. It's the perfect country cool spot to retreat to after an afternoon out in the sun. 

The difference between a conservatory and an orangery is that the latter, instead of glazed has brick walls like an extension but larger windows and a glass roof. This contemporary style with light-streaming lantern roof has been transformed into a white-hot sunroom with minimal accessories and shimmering pearlescent stone floor.

Having a lovely deep pile carpet in any room is soft and warm underfoot, so why not the conservatory too? It's a clever way to increase the sense of internal space and adds a touch of luxury to the look. However, a high-traffic area next to the garden can get dirty quickly, so carpet tiles or a large mat or runner by the door might be a more practical option in busy households. 

Evoke island vibes of old with pale stone flooring, pretty floral upholstery and bamboo roller blinds. Arrange furniture socially under a chic chandelier to create an elegant sitting area for afternoon refreshments that continue as the sun goes down. 

If you have room and the budget a conservatory spanning the entire width of a property can allow for an entire new open-plan space. Here, an elegant pitched roof conservatory has separate dining, social seating and entertainment area in the one long room. 

Large pieces of draped white canvas fabric make a refreshing alternative to usual conservatory window dressings. Teamed with hanging vintage storm lanterns the harbour-style additions give this contemporary all-glass conservatory at Rhapsody a distinctly nautical vibe. 

Create space for large gatherings with a glazed space dedicated to dining. Whether the light-filled space is used to extend a kitchen diner, like at Zamani, or is a glass-walled dining room in its own right, sliding doors will offer an alfresco feeling that will last well into twilight. 

A traditional conservatory gets warmed up and given an informal lounge-vibe with the positioning of two colourful linen sofas opposite each other. A rich, patterned rug will insulate a tiled floor and unites the space beautifully. This mix-and-match approach will create an eclectic look that means you can reuse existing furniture and change up accessories according to season. 

Draw light in through every aspect of your space – even the roof. A peaked glass roof references regal Victorian design, while slimline black windows add a modern twist to a classic design. Pair with oversized winged chairs for a bright and sophisticated scheme.

Get inspired by the shades of your garden and reupholster dining chairs with pretty botanical fabrics in refreshing tones. Plenty of pattern and texture will create the ideal setting for entertaining, whatever the season. Create a cohesive scheme by upcycling and painting the legs of your dining table in complementary tones for a real room transformation.

The black frames are the star of the show in this beautiful conservatory by 2L Design, so the décor is kept neutral in shades of taupe, grey and ivory. Cold surfaces, like the tiled floor, are warmed up with fluffy rugs, throws and pillows to make sure this space is usable all year around. 

An easy way to create ambiance in your conservatory is by adding the right lighting. It's not quite inside, but not quite out, so storm lanterns placed on the floor will look the part and draw the eye out towards the garden. For a cosy feel come evening, add LED festoon-style fairy lights and layer up the furniture with throws and cushions.

When it comes to making your conservatory cosy all year round, it pays to think about having installation installed. Depending on the look you would like to achieve you can choose from uPVC or a plaster finish. uPVC gives a wood cladding appearance while plaster will have a seamless look for a more subtle finish. It will mean you can use your space all year round, perfect for those chilly winters.

Extending your kitchen with a conservatory is a fabulous way of creating a large yet affordable kitchen-diner – and you may also have room for an extra sofa too. A Victorian peaked roof will maximise space and flood the whole area with light. Invest in fitted blinds to make the zone feel less stark and shade you from direct sunlight during mealtimes.

This beautiful timber orangery has been dressed to resemble a classic English sitting room with effortless modern country style. A ticking-striped linen sofa is laden with linen cushions in zesty lime and indigo to pick up on the china lamp base, which will also provide warm spot lighting for cosy evenings in.

Conservatories make great reading rooms thanks to the abundance of natural light. Transform your glazed space into a cosy nook with floor-to-ceiling bookcases, comfortable seating and warming dark wood. Add a ladder to reach the highest shelves if you want to get the ultimate library vibe. Bibliophile? These homes are inspired some of the world's best-loved books.

An elegant open-plan living room and dining room are united with the use of different shades of purple. A woollen tartan rug is guaranteed to keep the chills at bay, too. With such a showstopping accent colour the rest of the furniture is kept pretty neutral, with glossy accessories adding a final glam touch.

A contemporary conservatory is the perfect blank canvas for a colour transformation. A blue sofa and rainbow-coloured rug are super uplifting and look the part against a striking wall mural. What's great about this conservatory is that you can create a brand new scheme when you wish with just a few coats of white paint and a furniture refresh.

A log-burning stove will turn your conservatory into a snug and stylish space all year round, especially if you opt for a contemporary stand-alone style. Channel Nordic chic by filling the rest of the room with Scandi-style furniture in soft, muted colours.

If anything is likely to tempt you into the conservatory mid-winter, it's surely the promise of something to warm the cockles. This beautiful bespoke wooden bar is a clever way to make the most of an underused space in the house and the choice of a dark wood adds warmth to the scheme, perfectly complementing the unusual mid-century sofa.

A red-hot trend at the moment, metal Crittall-style windows are the perfect way to bring the classic conservatory bang up to date. Team with exposed brick walls for a stylish, industrial vibe. 

Create your own alpine getaway with a wood cabin-style conservatory. This look is simple to achieve and great for those keeping to a budget as all that is needed is pared-back furniture and neutral decorating. Mount simple pale wood panelling to the walls and add Scandi or mid-century-inspired furniture.

Brighten up a contemporary concrete-and-brick conservatory with a colourful dining table and chair set. Pair modern Eames-style chairs in a range of tropical shades with plenty of oversized, structural plants for a modern take on an orangery.

An empty room always feels colder than a full one, so apply this wisdom to your conservatory and you'll instantly make the space feel cosier and more welcoming. Rich ruby accessories and beautiful antique furniture lend an exotic look to this stunning New York penthouse; a room you'll want to dine in all year round.

Curtains aren't the usual choice for conservatories but they're a sure-fire way to add texture and keep your space cosy in the winter months. Furnish your room with plenty of indoor furniture to enhance the homely feel.

Comforting natural wood in deep tones will bring perennial warmth to your conservatory. Here, a feature fireplace and black tiling create a striking contrast against the natural grain.

If contemporary design floats your boat, there are plenty of modern decorating ideas for your conservatory. In this scheme, architectural steel frames and frosted glass sections create privacy, whilst allowing light to flood the dining area.

What better way to decorate a beautiful rustic space that's full of character than with greenery? Eclectic garden furniture, plenty of potted plants and fresh flowers from the garden work beautifully with rattan furniture. Plenty of cushions and seat pads should keep everyone warm enough outside of summer, too.

Fancy injecting a splash of colour into your conservatory? For something a little more refreshing try pale mint. While it's a subtle shade, it's enough to cover woodwork and create a calming and elegant space throughout the year. 

Who wouldn't want to relax around this lovely log-burner for an evening? This large conservatory feels homely thanks to the vintage leather sofas and bright pops of canary yellow in these matching armchairs. The true star of the room is the oversized string light, that fills the cavernous space without feeling too heavy. 

A feature stove can make a stylish, warming addition come the winter. But if you want the same ambience during milder seasons then opt for an electric version that allows you to cut off the heat. For contemporary conservatories, you could even choose something daring like a double-sided stove.

A vibrant assortment of floral wallpaper will turn a traditional conservatory into an elegant summer house, perfect for a relaxed afternoon tea. It's fine to stick to one print, but if you're feeling brave fill the room with different patterns in similar colour palettes for a fun eclectic scheme.

Bi-fold or concertina doors are a clever modern conservatory update as they open fully, creating a continuous flow into the garden; perfect for alfresco-style dining during the summer months, with the integrated blinds offering shade in glaring sunshine and insulation during cold snaps. 

Could this be the ultimate design? The mix-and-match velvet chairs and gorgeous wall lights give this room serious style points but there are some very practical touches, too. The modern wrought iron chandeliers ensure the room will be cosy and striking after dark, while neutral semi-sheer blinds will keep the chill out after the sun sets.

Add a twist to your conservatory décor with clever striped blinds. Not only do the horizontal lines elongate the space, but the opaque fabric keeps the light flowing, too. Balance the busy windows with pale modular furniture for a stylish and welcoming room.

Measure up your conservatory and if you can, fit in a comfortable corner sofa. This is an especially good idea for large families with teenagers; a peaceful haven to escape to may be a blessing. Choose a muted shade to blend into a neutral scheme or add velvet for a hint of luxury.

A large space can often feel cold especially when the floor is tiled but ceramic and porcelain flooring are perfect conductors for underfloor heating, which will make your conservatory cosy throughout the year. There's also the added benefit of having radiator-free walls for artwork and beautiful border tiling.

The warm tan timber of this conservatory can take some bold décor but keep it to one strong accent to stop things looking too busy. A pair of matching iris blue sofas instantly create a warm and welcoming living space that should work for 12 months of the year. A second natural wood in the coffee table and lamp bases tones the whole look down. 

For a pared-back scheme that celebrates the best of the natural world, opt for organic materials and textures. The perfect blend of style and substance, the warm tones of this bamboo sofa are off-set beautifully by the rustic white walls and flooring. Light, sturdy and waterproof, it's an ideal multi-tasking piece that can easily be moved outside in the warmer months.

With only glass between you and the garden, why wouldn't you want to fill your conservatory with lush greenery to bring the outside in? Create a living wall by installing modular shelving and place trailing plants on each tier. Then dot tall potted house plants in various corners to frame the whole space with nature. 

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