How to buy the best conservatory furniture

Transforming your conservatory with furniture to suit your style can truly elevate the space, making it a room to enjoy year-round – whether relaxing or tackling tasks on your computer.

When you're shopping for conservatory furniture, there are several considerations aside from budget. For one, you'll need to think about how open you want the space to be. And do you want a modern or more traditional feel?

These tips will help you transform a bland space into a cosy retreat. You can also discover the best time to buy conservatory furniture if you're looking for a bargain.

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Conservatory furniture ideas

If your house is limited on space, you won't want to overload your conservatory with furnishings. It's better to create a space that flows, particularly if your conservatory has doors that lead out to the garden.

Take a look at our image gallery for inspiration:

Suitable seating is important, especially if you plan on entertaining. Think about how you'll arrange chairs – you might want to consider an L-shaped sofa or two-seaters around a coffee table, for example. See below for more details on conservatory sofas.

Your conservatory should be bathed in light during the day, but investing in lighting for evenings can make a world of difference. A floor lamp or fairy lights in the corner can create a tranquil reading nook, while a ceiling light (or smart lights running on a schedule) will prevent the space from feeling dim and unwelcoming.

When developing the room, you should also consider:

• Multifunctional furniture – invest in some space-saving items such as a coffee table that folds into a dining table, or a sofabed for guests staying over.
• Dining space – if your conservatory is large enough, you can use furniture to form distinct zones.
• Plants – a brilliant way to add vibrancy to your conservatory without breaking the bank. Choose plants that can handle temperature fluctuations throughout the year (see also: Conservatory plants).
• Storage – crucial for a tidy conservatory. You can invest in disguised storage, too, such as an ottoman footstool to tuck items inside.
• Finishing touches – you can add splashes of colour and texture by incorporating rugs, cushions and throws.

For more on conservatory design, read our guide to conservatory interior ideas.

Modern conservatory furniture

Experiment with a minimalist design if you want to make your conservatory feel more modern – aim for a clutter-free space that uses neutral colours such as whites, greys and beiges. In terms of materials, metal, glass and polished wood should fit well.

A light conservatory sofa pairs well with a darker, oak coffee table, and you can introduce cushions or plants for a hit of colour. A patterned rug will also inject some personality.

Gadgets will help your conservatory to function well. Automated or electric blinds mean you don't have to get up off the sofa; likewise a wi-fi lighting system and Bluetooth speakers can be controlled at the press of a button.

Traditional conservatory furniture

For a traditional look, stick to natural materials. Classic pieces such as wicker chairs and rattan sofas pair well with a wooden table. If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with patterned armchairs.

Consider a muted palette if you want to achieve a traditional look – think shades of cream or pastels.

Wooden storage units can help you fill a corner and add a cosy cottage vibe. Add some lamps and pictures in frames to tables to create a more homely space.

Conservatory sofas and chairs

Before buying a sofa or chair for your conservatory, make sure you know exactly how much floor space you're working with. Grab a tape measure if you're unsure and have the measurements to hand when you start shopping.

Ultimately, you don't want your seating to drown the room. Leave plenty of space for you and your guests to move around. Remember that a corner sofa can maximise space in a tight room.

There's a strong chance your conservatory will get hot in summer, so it's important to pick out a sofa or armchair to suit those conditions. 

Rattan or wicker are a popular choice; they're natural materials, so they won't heat up in direct sunlight, and lightweight, so you shouldn't have trouble moving them around if you want to swap the layout. Bamboo and willow are also good alternatives.

If you're searching for a fabric chair, make sure the material can withstand long periods of sun exposure so you don't end up with seating that fades over time. Some fabrics can also become weak and more prone to rips.

Modular sofas are worth looking at if you want flexibility and many come with removable cushions or covers for hassle-free cleaning.

Cleaning and maintenance tips

• Vacuum regularly – banish dirt and debris to keep your furniture looking fresh. Our vacuum cleaner reviews can help you pick out a Which? Best Buy.
• Deal with stains sooner rather than later – if you're looking for products to add to your cleaning arsenal, see our advice on cleaning sprays.
• Stop furniture from fading – minimise direct sunlight exposure by installing blinds or curtains.
• Remove bad smells from your sofa – we suggest using bicarbonate of soda. Lightly sprinkle it over the area, leave it for 15-20 minutes, then vacuum it up.
• Consider getting your sofa reupholstered (if you've had it for a while) – worth a try if cleaning sprays don't do the trick. It's likely cheaper than buying a new sofa.

Discover the mistakes that will make your conservatory overheat in summer

Conservatory dining

Adding a dining space to your conservatory means you can enjoy sunny breakfasts and lazy summer suppers surrounded by natural light and greenery. Use it year-round and it'll free up space in the main part of your house.

Rattan dining sets are popular for a conservatory and come in many shapes and sizes. 

A circular table and chairs will appeal if you don't want to take up much space. Some shapeshifting tables can be folded out to provide extra room if you have more guests than usual.

If you have the space, a large rectangular dining table can be a focal point – just make sure it matches the aesthetic of other furnishings. Opting for bench-style seating means you can push the chairs under the table when you're finished.

Rattan conservatory furniture

Rattan is fast-growing, making it an eco-friendly choice.

You shouldn't have any trouble finding rattan furniture to suit your budget – we've seen armchairs for less than £100. A huge range of retailers stock it, offering single chairs, two-seaters and corner sofas. Popular retailers that sell rattan furniture include Ikea, The Range, Dunelm and John Lewis.

As a big-name brand selling rattan furniture, Ikea stocks the following:

• Agen armchair with cushion – a stackable chair made of hand-woven rattan.
• Holmsta armchair – this chair is made of handwoven rattan, bamboo and wood.
• Tolkning bench with storage – add extra storage to your conservatory while maintaining a natural look.

Note that dirt can sometimes get trapped in the crevices of a rattan chair. Get into the habit of regular cleaning to keep your furniture looking its best and avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals.

Conservatory plants

Some plants are more sensitive to the cold than others, so the degree of heating you provide will dictate the plants you can grow.

Cool conservatories

Providing your conservatory remains above 5°C during winter, here are three plants to choose from:

• Abutilon hybrids – they flower from early summer into autumn and produce a long succession of large, pendant blooms.
• Isoplexis canariensis – reaches a height and spread of 1.5m. It blooms in summer and, if deadheaded, will provide colour over a long period.
• Acacia dealbata – well suited if you favour colour earlier in the year. From late winter into spring, this large shrub is covered in lovely clusters of pale yellow.

Warm conservatories

If the minimum winter temperature in your conservatory is slightly higher, above 10°C, the choice of plants is far wider. Here are three we recommend:

• Hibiscus rosa-sinensis – bears flamboyant, large flowers. There are many varieties available, with either single or semi-double flowers in bright shades of red, pink, orange, yellow and white.
• Pachystachys lutea – flowers from late spring to autumn producing compact, bright golden cones of overlapping bracts. Emerging from these come long, white, tubular flowers.
• Ipomoeaindica – one to consider if you have ample space to fill. It bears an abundance of broad, purple-blue trumpet flowers.

Many plants enjoy high humidity. If this isn't possible in your conservatory, stand your plants on trays of moist gravel and group them to retain humidity. Since conservatory conditions encourage your plants to grow, be prepared to feed and water them frequently during summer.

Conservatory furniture sale

According to research from the furniture and furnishings website ufurnish.com, many retailers stock their conservatory furniture in late February. Towards late March, shoppers can take advantage of spring sales and conservatory furniture is often discounted.

Of course, there's nothing stopping you from buying conservatory furniture at other times. You might spot end-of-season discounts around late August or September as retailers try to make room for new stock. Black Friday in November is also an opportunity to snag a bargain (see also: how to avoid fake Black Friday deals).

Where to buy conservatory furniture

Shopping in-store will let you see just how comfy a furniture set is, but you might find better deals online – especially if you set up email alerts for specific items. Whether you're shopping online or in store, make sure you pay attention to the returns policy.

Popular online retailers that stock conservatory furniture include:

• Ikea – stocks a selection of sofas and armchairs for your conservatory. If you're looking for storage units, it also sells rattan benches, pouffes and baskets.
• The Range – sells fabric, rattan and wicker sofas. You'll also find room dividers that can separate your dining area.
• Dunelm – popular for conservatory chairs, blinds and coffee tables. It also stocks geometric rugs that can modernise your space.
• John Lewis – has several rattan furniture sets to choose from; the two-seater Viola sofa is around £590.

Find out which retailers are rated highly by Which? members with our guide on the best furniture, homeware and DIY shops.