How to light conservatories and orangeries
Conservatories are considered to be a modern addition to homes, but did you know that they were first conceived back in the 16th Century? They were designed to be similar to a modern day greenhouse as they were used for growing plants, except that they were attached to a house. The most popular plants were citrus trees which is where the term ‘orangery’ originates.
Conservatories are now seen on many houses as they are a cost effective way to expand living areas within our homes. They are bright and airy spaces which allows us to feel that we are outside – this is especially beneficial when there is inclement weather!!
In the daytime, due to the predominantly glazed structure, there will be little need to have lights in the space. When dusk come however, there are no reflective surfaces to rebound the residual light which makes it dark. In order for us to continue to use this space, we need to have some lighting, but what are the best type of lights to use?
Ceiling lights are an obvious choice for ambient light as they cast wide reaching illumination from the centre of the room.
You will need to think about the balance of the space and work with your ceiling design. If you have a clear ceiling and enjoy looking at the stars, then you do not want a huge light blocking your view.
For a contemporary twist, you could consider a glass design which offers a great area of light without the need of a large shade. Our Copenhagen range has loads of beautiful glass lights and lamps in a range of colours and styles. They are mouth-blown in Denmark and are sure to add a touch of Nordic luxury to your room.
Spotlight bars and clusters can be really effective used here as you can ensure that the light is angled to ensure an even spread of light.
If your conservatory does not have the correct cables in place for a ceiling light, then you’ll need to call an electrician in or consider some alternative types of lighting.
Wall lights are a great way of adding a warm, ambient light to a conservatory. There is always at least one solid wall which you can use – whilst installing these, you could also consider adding wall lights to the other side of the wall to enhance that space also!
Whilst providing useful light, they also have the benefit of not cluttering up floors and furniture which is particularly helpful in smaller rooms. You could also consider picture or poster lights to showcase artwork below which will add extra interest to the room. There are some adjustable options that you can also alter so that they become a reading or task light which ensures that you always have light where you need it. Our Monaghan range of wall lights offers a huge and versatile range of adjustable wall lamps in traditional, vintage and industrial styles. This is a great range of lights made in solid metals where the attention to detail and quality shines through!
Now all this is well and good, but if you have just paid to have a conservatory put on to your home, you may well not have any pennies left to be utilising electricians! Panic not; there are always lamps that you can use by utilising the sockets already in place around the room.
Lamps can be particularly effective at creating a cosy ambience in a room. A strategically placed floor lamp can provide as much illumination as a ceiling pendant. You may have to consider more than one if your conservatory is too large for one to light effectively. You can also get long armed floor lamps where the shade is projected away from the base which will offer more centralised illumination.
Ceramic Lamp Butterfly Base
Table lamps are a great addition to a conservatory, regardless if they are the only type of light or if you have every type in there! If they are the only light you are using, you could consider a ceramic table lamp which add a great style to the room.
They are also ideal when placed on the dwarf wall construction of the conservatory to save adding unnecessary furniture to the room. Be careful to measure the lamp at the widest point before you purchase to ensure it will fit!
Now that you have got some ideas for the inside, it’s time to look at the garden again. As you will already know, if it’s dark outside and light inside, it will make the outside appear even darker. However, if you have a low level light on inside and introduce some externally facing lights from your conservatory, voila! – you have your view back. You can also continue the chosen lighting theme so that when you sit outside looking in, the spaces continue to flow as one.
You may also consider putting some lighting around the circumference of your garden which will allow for an even better illumination and view from the room.
So, now you can start to plan how you are going to light your conservatory! There are loads of trends out there that will work in a Conservatory so you can get creative. A few of the favourites that have been used to great effect:
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Antler Floor Lamp
Country and Rustic – This is a trend that really helps to bring the outside in. Pick a few pieces that match or complement each other and you have instantly got a theme that you can follow for the rest of the room
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Kingsley Chandelier
Chandeliers – one of the most popular uses for conservatories which works extremely well, is to utilise them as a formal dining space. You can really add a touch of decadence and luxury by hanging a chandelier over the table – they will also offer an excellent spread of light over the table for you and your guests
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Pyramid Lamp Set
Scandinavian – A pared back tranquil space works really well in conservatories as this trend is all about nature and the inner and outer spaces flowing as one. Consider a tech-free zone with this look which will create a luxurious space for quality time
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David Hunt Sail Boat
Nautical – An alternative look is to create a vintage or retro setting with luxurious brass, copper and chrome with a hint of the nautical styling. This can make a larger conservatory seem much cosier and will add interest to the space
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Audrie Wall Light
Minimalist/Modern – if you are after a more modern, contemporary twist to your space, consider using glass lights, or lights with pale crystal beading detail to keep things bright and in keeping with the structure of the conservatory.
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Textured Naturals – This is a great look for adding interest into your room whilst still keeping a relaxing vibe. This works especially well if teamed with one or two plants and perhaps a wooden table and chairs to make it feel that the walls to your garden simply melt away…
I hope that this has helped inspire you for your conservatory! For a selection of the lights we love in conservatories and orangeries, you can browse and shop here.
Images supplied by David Salisbury Conservatories and Orangeries: https://www.davidsalisbury.com/