For plant enthusiasts, adding a conservatory to their home is a dream. More accessible and easier to heat than an outdoor greenhouse, it provides an environment in which we can keep our babies safe in winter and add plants that are unsuited to our climate.
However, some of us lack the garden space to add an exterior conservatory. Or perhaps we just like our garden the way it is. So what’s the best solution?
Good news: you can remodel interior rooms in your home to work in the same way as a conservatory! With this list of considerations, you can enjoy all the benefits of indoor gardening without having to find space for an expensive glasshouse in your yard.
Look South
If possible, choose a south-facing room as a starter. The sun spends the majority of the day in the south, and so you’ll maximize your plants’ sunlight hours by picking a room with windows that face in this direction.
This is especially important if:
- You live further north, as winter daylight hours are short
- You want to grow sunlight-hungry plants such as citrus
If there’s no south-facing option, east is your next-best bet. Many plants enjoy the morning sun, and early morning watering can produce great results. Just don’t choose a north-facing room, unless you’re planning to exclusively grow fungi!
Big Windows, Big Results
If it’s in your budget, adding a large window to the room will help your plants a great deal. If the room has multiple walls that could take a window, it’s a great idea to have sunlight coming from multiple directions.
You should choose a window that provides the best insulation, as plants close to the window won’t like it if cold winter air is leaking in. That said, having windows that you can open will provide great air circulation in summer, and your plants will love that.
Floor & Walls
It may sound obvious, but please don’t use a carpeted room as a conservatory. Your plants need water, and lots of it. You may also want to mist your plants to keep their leaves moist.
Carpets will absorb this water and rot. Tile or linoleum flooring is a much better choice. Plus it’s easier to see soil that has spilled out, which makes cleaning far easier.
Likewise, the walls of your plant room should be designed similarly to your bathroom. Water vapor will be heavily present, so expensive wallpaper might not be the best shout. On the other hand, there are many attractive options such as wall tiles that are perfect for this job.
Suit the Room to the Plants
We all know that our leafy friends have their own special needs and personalities. If you’d like a climbing plant such as a grapevine, choose a room that can fit a wall trellis. If you’re looking to grow warm-weather plants, consider a room that is easily heated.
Placing plants around the room in a way that ensures they get the right level of light is also an important consideration. Remodel the room to suit the plants — they’re your guests, and they deserve the best!
Conclusion: Light, Love, and Location
Turn your spare room into an indoor conservatory and your plants will thank you. Get in touch with our remodeling contractors today and bring nature into your home.