Fancy dinner with a view? A conservatory can make a luxury dining space with scenic views of your garden and lots of natural light. Low hanging lights and lamps also create a dream ambiance for evening dinner parties – or upgrade family mealtimes.
But if your conservatory is older, poorly insulated and damp, it can distract from the feast you’ve prepared. Read our guide below to learn more...
Can I use my conservatory as a dining room?
Yes, you can absolutely use your conservatory as a dining room. Depending on its size, you could fit a quality dining table and chairs, and a matching cabinet for your crockery.
Here’s what a conservatory dining room has to offer:
- Natural views
- Adds value to the space
- Dinner party opportunities
- Brings the family together
- Easy access to your kitchen
Things to consider
Moving your dining room into your conservatory will free up space in your kitchen or lounge, and mealtimes will feel more special. But there are a few factors to consider first.
Temperature
Is your conservatory too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter?
Older conservatories with polycarbonate or glass roofs tend to be poorly insulated, so it can make for uncomfortable temperatures to dine in. You’lll need a fan or heater depending on the weather, which might look out of place at a dinner party, not to mention the noise and energy consumption.
A more permanent solution is a solid tiled roof. This is insulated and fixed onto an existing conservatory to stop heat from rising and escaping. You could choose from composite slate tiles, which are solid and impact resistant, or steel tiles, lightweight and durable.
Eurocell’s Equinox Tiled Roof has U-values as low as 0.12, so it’s energy efficient and can be installed in just two days.
Noise
If your conservatory has an old polycarbonate or glass roof, it can get noisy when it rains or hails, which will distract from dinner conversation.
Again, a solid tiled roof will help to reduce the noise, and it's weather and impact resistant, so there’s less chance of the roof panels being blown off in stormy winds, or gaps and cracks forming.
Condensation
If your conservatory is poorly insulated and ventilated, you can experience condensation. Windows and mirrors might appear foggy and you may see water droplets running on the walls or feel them falling from the conservatory frame. Condensation could be worse in a conservatory dining room with the hot, steamy food.
To prevent this, opt for double-glazed doors and windows. These offer thermal insulation, so there’s less chance of condensation and help to maintain a consistent temperature by keeping the cold or heat out. Your dining room will feel drier and look better, while also improving its energy efficiency and soundproofing.
Size
Whether you opt for an Edwardian, Victorian or Contemporary Conservatory, it needs to fit a dining table and chair set without looking or feeling cramped.
Eurocell’s conservatories come in any size, so you have total design freedom. It's best to measure your dining table and chairs in advance, and any other furniture you plan to fit.
If you have a small conservatory, a dining room may not be practical – but there are creative solutions like extendable tables (more on this below).
Conservatory conversions
A EurXtension is a conservatory conversion that’s manufactured from structurally insulated panels (SIPs), a solid tiled roof, and double-glazed doors and windows. It can turn a leaky and damp conservatory into a warm and functional dining space.
The EurXtension is fully insulated, energy efficient and maintains a regular temperature no matter the weather. It’s also airtight, secure and can be customised.
How it works:
- Existing conservatory is removed and recycled
- Base is built on your old conservatory foundation
- SIP walls, and double-glazed windows and doors are fitted
- Solid tiled roof is attached
- Electric cabling fitted
- Walls and ceilings are plastered
- You can design your dream dining room
Designing an envious conservatory dining room
There are plenty of ways to style a conservatory dining room. From a nature-inspired theme, to picture perfect and Instagrammable, your new dining room can become a real focal point in your home.
Colours
Start by choosing a colour scheme.
The colours that look good in a conservatory include light shades like cream, taupe or pastels because they reflect the natural light and make it feel more spacious. Darker colours like deep red or grey, on the other hand, look bold and striking.
Character
Add personality to your conservatory dining room with artwork or photos but make sure you use blinds to prevent them fading in the sunlight. If your photos or artwork is particularly valuable or sentimental, avoid putting it in your conservatory.
A low hanging light will illuminate your dining table and fairy lights can create a magical ambiance.
Contrast
Opt for patterned rugs, chair covers or cushions, which not only cosy up your conservatory but add pops of colour.
Choose a quality table cloth. White is a good option because you can dress it up with a textured table runner, plate holders and coasters.
A colourful bunch of flowers placed in the centre can draw attention to your table too.
Furniture
The main furniture you will need is a dining table and chair set.
Opt for specialist conservatory furniture because it's designed to last and won’t fall prey to issues like warping, which happens with untreated timber in the sun.
A wooden table and chairs can help to bring the outdoors-in. To protect your glass dining table from the heat, you could add a table cover or glass protector. You can also use placemats and coasters to protect against hot drinks or meals.
Place the dining table in the centre of your conservatory if you want to make it a focal point.
You could also add a comfortable sofa and TV for after dinner entertainment, and a sideboard to store your extra plates, cutlery and glasses.
What to do if you’re limited with space
If your conservatory is more intimate, opt for a compact or foldable dining table.
How much space you need for a six seater dining table depends on the product but a standard six seater dining table is 72” x 36”. You’ll have to account for chair space too. Experts say to leave around 36 inches behind a dining chair, so it’s easy for you to get out and diners won’t feel restricted. That also means the dining table should be 36 inches from your conservatory wall.
There are also creative solutions like a bench as opposed to chairs or a breakfast bar with stools.
"There's lots of conservatory options and possibilities for homeowners. You could choose to upgrade the roof on your traditional conservatory to a solid tiled roof, or you can add more glazing and add cladded pilasters for a more modern looking conservatory."
Sean Bunyan, head of commercial operations, and conservatory and extension specialist
Budget design ideas
Invest a good portion of your budget into a quality dining table and chair set, so that it lasts for time to come. Browse second hand stores where you might find a solid antique piece or look on online marketplaces for some bargains.
You could also upcycle a lower cost or existing table to save some pennies and create a table that no one else has. You can always dress up your table to hide any imperfections with a nice table cloth and accessories like place mats and a runner.
What it takes to design the best dining space
A conservatory already offers great views and natural light, so designing your dining room becomes that much easier.
Think creatively with the space and resources you have, and try to make the most of the floor space. Play around with the layout to see what works best and look online for inspiration.
Also make sure that your conservatory is fully functional before you design your dining room. You want to be able to use it everyday regardless of the temperature, so explore options like a EurXtension or modern conservatory.
