Thanks to the rise in the number of people now working from home, the home office is no longer a space used merely for sorting out a bit of admin now and again or as somewhere to file away important documents – these days home office design can mean the difference between looking forward to get up and going in the morning and dreading the working day ahead.
That said, it can be hard to find the right spot for a home office. It needs to offer somewhere quiet and peaceful to help with focus, yet tucking it away in a dingey and cold location in the house will do nothing to help with a sense of wellbeing.
Conservatories can provide the perfect place for home offices – bright, airy and with fantastic views of the outdoors. However, this type of building also comes with some features that need careful navigation to make this kind of set-up a success. We reached out to the experts for their advice on the top points to consider when designing a conservatory home office – here's what they had to say.
Do conservatories make good home offices?
While the concept of using a conservatory for your home office ideas might seem like a good one, it is important to look at both the pros and cons of locating an office space in a largely glass structure.
"A conservatory can make a fantastic home office if it’s properly insulated and thoughtfully designed," picks up Aaron Basi, chartered town planner at Planning By Design. "The biggest mistake people make is treating it like a standard room. Conservatories behave very differently in terms of temperature, light, and acoustics. In older conservatories, overheating in summer and heat loss in winter can make the space uncomfortable."
George Lucas, one of the experts at Vale Garden Houses, agrees that designing a home office for a conservatory comes with a particular set of considerations.
"A conservatory is, by its very nature, designed to maximise light and create a strong visual connection with the garden. This quality can be both its greatest strength and its biggest challenge when used as a workspace," points out George. "Natural light has proven benefits for wellbeing, productivity and mood. Working in a space that feels open, calm and connected to nature can reduce stress and create a far more pleasant daily routine than sitting in a darker internal room. That said, the same expansive glazing that floods the space with daylight can create practical difficulties."
George Lucas is the marketing executive at Vale Garden Houses. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding conservatories that contributes to all areas of the company.
Aaron is a versatile and resilient Chartered MRTPI Town Planner with private and public sector experience. Aaron has a deep understanding of the planning process as both the applicant and local planning authority. Whether small scale residential or large scale commercial developments his expertise ensures the best advice and robust planning applications.
1. Make temperature control a priority
One of the main things people worry about when it comes to conservatories is that they will suffer from overheating in the summer and feel freezing cold in the winter – neither of which make for ideal working conditions.
"Conservatories with a high proportion of glass are more susceptible to solar gain in summer and heat loss in winter. If the space is to function as a serious working environment year-round, it must be properly insulated and well ventilated," points out George Lucas. "Low E glazing, adequate roof vents and opening side windows will all help control overheating."
You will also need to think about conservatory heating if you plan on using it on a daily basis as an office.
"Underfloor heating or trench heating systems are particularly effective, as they provide even warmth without occupying valuable wall space needed for desks, shelving or storage," advises George Lucas.
2. Your office layout matters more than ever
The way in which you arrange your office furniture within your conservatory needs to be really carefully planned due to the large amounts of glazing that make up the walls and roof.
"Glare on computer screens is one of the most immediate concerns within a conservatory home office," says George Lucas. "Direct sunlight can make screens unreadable and cause eye strain, particularly in south- or west-facing conservatories. Careful orientation of the desk is therefore critical. Positioning a workstation perpendicular to the glazing, rather than directly facing or backing onto it, can significantly reduce glare."
"South-facing spaces get beautiful natural light, which supports wellbeing, but you’ll need to consider some glazing innovations such as solar-control glazing or blinds to prevent glare and overheating," adds Aaron Basi. "North-facing rooms offer softer, more consistent light, often ideal for screen work."
"Incorporating high-quality blinds, such as Pinoleum (wooden or reeded blinds) or other adjustable systems, allows light levels to be moderated throughout the day without sacrificing the room’s character," says George Lucas.
Pinoleum or bamboo roller blinds are a great way to prevent overheating and glare in a conservatory without blocking out light completely. This one comes in a wide range of sizes and two different finishes.
3. Consider how you will create a private working space
With their expanses of glass and direct connection to the rest of the house, conservatories can lack the privacy that something like garden offices can offer. There are ways to address this, however.
"Unlike a detached garden office or summer house, a conservatory attached to the main house keeps the occupant within the rhythm of family life. For some, this is a benefit, offering the ability to remain connected, accessible and part of the household. For others, it may present challenges in terms of noise and interruption," points out George Lucas. "The suitability therefore depends as much on personality and working style as on architecture. Those who require isolation for concentrated tasks may prefer a more enclosed or detached solution."
You will also need to think about how you will feel working in a space so visually open to the garden. While it might be lovely to gaze out at your carefully curated patio ideas, how will you feel when you are trying to concentrate while the kids are having a water fight in the garden, for example?
"Because conservatories are often garden-facing, privacy needs consideration," advises Aaron Basi. "Strategic planting, frosted lower glazing, or well-fitted blinds can prevent the space from feeling exposed."
4. Choose office furniture with maximum storage
In order to remain an organised space, you will need to carefully select office furniture that will fit in with the large proportion of windows within a conservatory.
"A conservatory works best when it retains a sense of openness and lightness, so bulky furniture should be avoided," says George Lucas. "Built-in storage, slimline desks and concealed cable management will prevent visual clutter.
"Because wall space is often limited due to glazing, consideration should be given early on to where shelving, printers and filing will be accommodated," continues George. "In some cases, incorporating more solid wall sections into the design can improve functionality without compromising aesthetics."
5. Don't forget the importance of artifical lighting
While conservatories are generally full of natural light during the daytime, during the winter, or if you plan on working after hours, you are going to need to consider how the space will be illuminated.
"Lighting design should not be overlooked. While the room may feel bright during the day, task lighting is crucial for early mornings, winter afternoons and evenings," says George Lucas. "A layered approach works best – a central statement light for general illumination, discreet downlights around the perimeter, and dedicated desk lighting to avoid relying solely on overhead fittings.
"Care must also be taken at night, as internal lighting can reflect off the glazing," warns George. "Lower-level lighting helps to minimise this issue and creates a more comfortable atmosphere."
6. Incorporate soft furnishings to help with acoustics
While creating a practical space is likely to be at the forefront of your mind, it is important to ensure that this is also a space you look forward to spending time in – as well as somewhere you feel comfortable hosting meetings if your work is likely to involve this.
Not only can adding in a few decorative flourishes and soft furnishings help the office feel warm and welcoming, which can be particularly important when it comes to ensuring modern conservatory ideas don't end up feeling sterile, it can also offer a practical function.
"Conservatories can be surprisingly echoey because of all the glass," explains Aaron Basi. "Soft furnishings such as rugs, upholstered chairs, fabric blinds, or acoustic panels can dramatically improve sound quality, especially for video calls."
FAQs
Does a conservatory home office require building regs approval?
Conservatories are not typically subject to building regulations, but if you plan on making certain alterations in order to make yours more suitable for use as a home office, you may need to meet certain criteria and seek building regs approval.
"In some cases, upgrades may trigger conservatory building regulations requirements, particularly if the conservatory becomes a permanently heated workspace," points out Aaron Basi.
Building regs approval may be required if:
- You change the ratios of solid wall to glazing
- You remove external walls and doors separating the conservatory from the main house
- The heating system is upgraded from one that is independent of your home
- Significant electrical upgrades are being made
In some cases, orangery ideas can work better than conservatories so, before settling on one over the other, be sure to do your research on which will be most suitable for your needs.
