Use These Stunning Interior Design Trends For a Timeless Look

Use These Stunning Interior Design Trends For a Timeless Look

It can be pretty challenging to keep up with the ever-evolving trends of our modern world, in fashion, music, technology, and many more aspects of our everyday lives. 

The design of your home isn’t something you’ll necessarily have the time or money to switch up every time a new trend rolls around. For this reason, it can be beneficial to stick to the timeless trends that are guaranteed to never go out of style. 

(Not to mention, implementing timeless interior design into your home is significantly more sustainable than following new trends.)

Need help knowing how to give your home that classic look? We’ve compiled a guide to some of our favourite interior design elements that you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come. 

 

If You Can Sit On It, Upholster It

There’s nothing more stylish and timeless than furniture that actually serves a function. No one wants a chair or sofa that’s too uncomfortable to actually relax on. Upholstered furniture is a simple, elegant way to make your home more comfortable and functional whilst also adding some personality.

Why not make it a statement piece by adding a splash of colour or a bold pattern?

Your Books Need a Home, Too

Speaking of functionality, what’s more practical than building your bookcases into the walls of your house?

There’s nothing quite as calming as walking into a room full of books. Built-in bookcases offer a stylish way of displaying all those beautiful hardbacks whilst opening up the floor space. On an aesthetic level, they certainly give off an aura of sophistication.

Brickwork Makes the Dream Work

If you really want to show off the history of your home, there’s no better way than through exposed brickwork.

Give your house an authentic feel by stripping it back to its core. By showing off the brickwork, you are paying homage to the architecture itself.

Go Minimal for Maximal Impact

Nothing kills a home like clutter.

Over-decorating is an easy way to make your house look perpetually messy. If you want to create a look that stands the test of time, you’ll most likely want to ditch the excess and create a simple, minimalist look that is easy to tidy, looks good and prioritises functionality.

Conserve Your Style With a Stylish Conservatory

Conservatories are the perfect place to implement all of these design trends. You can design your conservatory to serve whatever purpose you have in mind, whether you want somewhere to relax in nature, somewhere to practise your hobbies or even a functional office space designed to boost your productivity and creativity. 

Conservatories in themselves are very much a timeless home feature, perfect for connecting you to nature all year round.

Luckily for you, we at Outside Interests are experts in all things conservatory and all things interior design. We can elevate your home, making it more practical and comfortable for you and all the family. 

Check out our website for more details on what we offer, or pop down to our Barnham showroom to talk to a member of our team. We’re always more than happy to talk to you about your needs and offer advice on which styles would work best for your property. 

Contact Outside Interests for a timeless look every time. 

 

Make Sure You Consider These 3 Things Before Building a Garden Office

Make Sure You Consider These 3 Things Before Building a Garden Office

If you’re reading this, there’s a pretty high chance that you’ve had to work from home at some point over the past few years.

As the pandemic spread across the world, home offices have become an increasingly popular and necessary part of many houses. Even post-pandemic, many people are finding working from home to be the new norm.

Of course, being at home throughout the working day can present some difficulties. It’s hard to get anything done when screaming kids are running through the house, and various family members are frantically trying to find their keys before heading out to work.

The solution?

A garden office, of course!

Transform Your Orangery or Conservatory into a Functional Space

Conservatories and orangeries give you the best of both worlds – close enough to the house to sneak into the kitchen for a snack now and again but separate enough that you won’t get distracted by the rest of the household.

Plus, you have the added bonus of being in the heart of nature while you work, soaking up the vitamin D and getting some inspiration from the greenery around you.

Like with everything, there are several things you need to consider before building your garden office. We’ve put together a handy guide that will make sure you’ve covered all the bases.

Power Up

In this day and age, most people work primarily from their computers or laptops. For this reason, you will need a sufficient source of power and electricity in your garden office, with your power outlet placed in a practical position.

There are a lot of risks involved when it comes to electricity, which is why we would recommend hiring a professional for this job.

Style vs Functionality

If you want to create a space that is conducive to productivity, you need somewhere you find creatively stimulating and inspiring. The best thing about creating your own office is that it’s yours; you have full reign over the design, furniture, and every other little aspect. 

Don’t be afraid to put your own spin on it. If bright colours put you in a good mood, throw in a vibrant sofa and office chairs. If you want to create a cosy, soothing atmosphere, maybe throw in a cream-coloured rug, plenty of blankets and some pine-scented candles. 

However, make sure that you balance out the creative with the practical. Ultimately, you’re there to work, so you don’t want to create an atmosphere that makes you so comfortable you want to go to sleep. 

Don't Forget About Heat

There’s a prevalent stereotype surrounding conservatories that says they’re always too hot in summer and too cold in winter. With all the modern technology we have available nowadays, this doesn’t have to be the case.

Insulating your garden office properly is the key to making sure it stays the perfect temperature all year round.

Still confused? No worries. The team at Outside Interests are experts in all things conservatories and orangeries and are always happy to offer advice about which heating system would work best for your situation.

We'll Take Care of It

Once you consider these elements, you’ll be well on your way to building the ideal workspace, right there in the comfort of your own home. 

If you need help with anything, from planning to installation, the team at Outside Interests is right on hand to help you. Give us a call on 01243 553 334 or pop down to our Barnham showroom to see the range of styles we have on offer.

Easy Ways To Make Over Your Conservatory

Easy Ways To Make Over Your Conservatory

Many people overlook how valuable a space a conservatory can be in your home. It’s not uncommon for conservatories to turn into dumping grounds or makeshift laundry rooms as they’re gradually taken over by neglect. However, here at Outside Interests, we believe that they can be a functional, stylish addition to your home. If the aforementioned scenario sounds familiar to you, check out our tips below for making your conservatory a space you want to hang out.

Replace the Roof

One of the main reasons people tend to neglect conservatories is their unregulated temperature. Being in such close proximity to the outside world means that a conservatory climate can very much depend on the weather outside. This can make it extremely cold in the winter and almost unbearably warm in the summer. Moreover, having a particularly old roof may cause other issues such as leaks, mould and noise pollution.

Modern roofs have come a long way in terms of energy efficiency and temperature regulations. Options include thicker roofs, UV protection roofs and climate control roof vents.

Plants

Being so close to the outdoors doesn’t mean you can’t bring a bit of nature indoors. Adding some houseplants to your conservatory can make the space more colourful and visually appealing. On top of this, it can help your health and the air quality of your home through increased oxygen levels. Multiple studies have found that bringing plants indoors also has a positive impact on our mental wellbeings.

Furniture

We all know how exciting a good furniture shop can be. What beats the feeling of walking into a freshly redone room, styled just the way you like it? If your original interior design choices have gone a bit stale, why not spruce it up with some fresh pieces? This gives you a great chance to inject some colour and personality into the room. You can also make the space significantly more functional and practical.

Curtains and Carpets

You’d be surprised how much flooring and curtains can transform a room. Why not treat yourself to a stylish rug or some stunning blinds to give the conservatory a splash of personality and comfort? If you’re looking to add a pop of colour, you could even invest in some cosy accent cushions and make the room more inviting. Whatever your vision, small details like flooring and curtains can have a huge impact and make it feel more homely.

Smart Technology

We’re living in a modern world, after all. Why not take advantage of everything today’s advanced technology has to offer by investing in some smart technology for your conservatory? From smart lighting and audio to thermostats, you can truly transform your space with devices like Google’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri.

Outside Interests is the Company For You

We should be your go-to choice for anything conservatory-related. Our team is teeming with passionate individuals with an abundance of expertise in the design, construction and installation of conservatories. If you’re looking to update your current structure or have a new one installed, we would be more than happy to help you come up with some fresh ideas. If you’re looking for visual inspiration, feel free to drop a visit to our Barnham showroom, where we have a large range of buildings on show. Alternatively, give us a call and talk to a member of our friendly team to get more information on our services. Why wait any longer? Your home deserves a little TLC!

Out of the Box Ideas for Orangeries and Conservatories

orangeries and conservatories

Over the past few years, there’s been a huge surge in interior design content across social media, particularly since the lockdown inspired many people to renovate their homes. Across Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok, we are seeing thousands of people sharing home decor ideas, serving as a source of inspiration and jealousy for maybe. Much of these design ideas are very different from what we may be used to seeing in catalogues and stores. We’ve had a browse and selected a couple of our favourite design ideas for orangeries and conservatories that we think will spruce up your home and improve your happiness.

Biophilic Orangeries and Conservatories

The American psychologist Edward O. Wilson coined the term ‘biophilia’ in 1984, describing it as ‘the urge to affiliate with other forms of life’. Literally, it translates to ‘love of nature’. Essentially, he had noticed the negative impact that urbanisation had on people’s well-being and sought to reverse it by encouraging people to connect with the outside world. By strengthening the bond between yourself and nature, you can improve your well-being, reduce stress and enhance your creativity.

You’re probably wondering how exactly this relates to orangeries and conservatories. It turns out, there’s pretty much no better environment in which to incorporate a biophilic design than one of our structures. After all, they are somewhat naturally biophilic, being in such close proximity to nature, with large glass windows to let in the natural light and heat. As this light streams into your house, you will be exposed to more vitamin D, which many people are deficient in. Studies have shown that a lack of vitamin D can lead to depression, so getting lots of sunlight is extremely important.
Through their naturally warm, light atmosphere, orangeries and conservatories are also the perfect place to grow plants. Conservatories were originally designed to grow tropical fruits due to their ability to trap heat, light and moisture without being affected by the elements. By adding plenty of plants to your conservatory, you will improve the air quality through increased oxygen and add colour to your home. It’s no secret that bright colours can have a huge impact on our moods.

Emotional Escape Rooms

With such a rise in the discussion around self-care and mental wellness over the past few years, it’s no surprise that ’emotional escape rooms’ have become the latest trend in interior design. You can probably guess what these rooms are by their name; they are essentially rooms designed to allow you to escape your emotions in whatever way works best for you. These can hugely vary from person to person. For example, some may wish to create a meditation space, perhaps incorporating soothing colours, a couple of beanbags and some candles or incense. Alternatively, you may need a place to release your anger, in which case you could create a ‘rage room’, perhaps containing things to destroy or a punching bag. Whatever your needs, your emotional escape room can be tailored to suit you and allow you to release your emotions in a healthy way.

Give Your Home the Upgrade It Deserves

There are a million and one other innovative ideas for your orangery or conservatory scattered across the internet; these are just a couple of our favourites. If you’d like to talk to an expert about how you could incorporate a stunning new conservatory or orangery into your home, get in touch with the team at Outside Interests today. We will be more than happy to help you select a design and discuss all your options. A better you could be just around the corner!

Three Benefits of Using Your Conservatory as an Office

conservatory office

The world of work has transformed quite dramatically over the past few years, most notably in terms of where we work. As the Covid-19 pandemic has continued to influence the way we live, more and more people are finding working from home to be a permanent solution. In this case, setting up a makeshift workspace on your kitchen table might not cut it anymore. If you’re working from home for the foreseeable future, you may want to consider investing in a proper office space to optimise your productivity, comfort and sanity.

Less Noise

If you live with other people and have experienced working from home before, you are more than likely all too used to attempting to block out the noise of your housemates as you fruitlessly try to concentrate. It’s never fun and generally results in you getting significantly less work done than if you were in a more optimal environment. Having a conservatory office allows you to separate your home life from your work life, increasing concentration, reducing distractions, and boosting productivity. Moreover, those zoom calls with your boss will be much easier without distracting background noise!

Natural Lighting

Many people are unaware of just how much lighting can affect your productivity levels. If you’ve ever tried to work in a dark, poorly lit room, you probably found yourself feeling much more tired and irritable than usual, which is only natural. After all, how can you expect to work well in the same environment you sleep in? Conservatories let in an abundance of natural light, which will help you stay awake when replying to those Monday morning emails. The sunlight will also expose you to plenty of vitamin D, which is essential to healthy brain functioning and will boost your mood, helping you feel productive and happy during your working day. 

Making the most of the natural light will also be highly cost-effective, as you will save money not only on lighting but also on heating. The conservatories at Outside Interests trap heat, helping you feel warm and cosy all year round. Our innovative glazing systems help regulate the temperature in the summer, allowing you to keep cool and avoid overheating.

Personalised Environment

As mentioned above, it’s challenging to work in the same environment you sleep in. It’s also difficult to work where you eat or chill out after a long day at work. Building a custom office can help separate the different areas of your life, allowing you to avoid burnout and risking your mental health. With a bespoke conservatory office from Outside Interests, you can customise your environment to optimise your productivity, giving it a personal touch and making it comfortable and creatively stimulating. Not only will this help you get more work done, but it will also help you to establish better boundaries when it comes to work, creating a healthier work-life balance and reducing your overall stress.

Visit Outside Interests to Help Your Productivity Soar

At this point, it’s pretty much a no-brainer. With our excellent customer service and affordable prices, there’s really no reason not to invest in your productivity and mental health. For more information on our stunning structures, contact our expert team or come visit our Barnham showroom today. You’ll thank yourself for it later!

Why Do I Need a Conservatory?

conservatory

Traditionally, conservatories were built for gardening purposes, intended to grow tropical fruits back in the 1700s. Their ability to trap heat and moisture whilst protecting plants from rain, wind and snow made them an ideal environment for certain plants to thrive. Nowadays, the possibilities for your conservatory are endless. Outside Interests offers an extensive range of bespoke conservatories equipped with innovative glazing technology and venting systems that keep them comfortable all year round, no matter the weather. We’ve got your back, whatever you have in mind for your conservatory.

If you’re a little unsure as to how best to use the new space, here are a few of our favourite suggestions that we frequently build for our customers:

Gardening

In some cases, it’s best to strip it back to basics. Why not use your new conservatory for its original purpose? After all, there’s a reason why this use was so widespread back in the day – because it works! Living in Britain means that you can never be sure what the weather will throw at you, and it’s certainly not unusual for plants to struggle due to the unpredictable climate. Conservatories offer a reliable, optimal environment for your plants to flourish, ensuring quicker results.

Growing your own fruit and vegetables is highly beneficial in a number of ways. Firstly, it negates the need for plastic packaging, making it a much more environmentally-friendly alternative to buying from the supermarket. Your own fruit and veg will likely be much more nutritious than those you buy, as they haven’t lost any nutrients during travel. Lastly, it’s a lot more cost-effective in the long run.

Living / Dining Room Extension

This use is probably the most common one we see here at Outside Interests. A very popular choice among our customers is to extend their living space, bringing in an abundance of natural light and warmth and reducing the overall stuffiness of the house. This will help you save on electricity bills and will help improve your mood through the benefits of extra vitamin D. The extra space opens up plenty of opportunities for guests, parties and gatherings. 

Alternatively, it might be that your kitchen or dining area is feeling a little cramped and humid. Why not open up that space, bringing in natural light and making your dinner guests much more comfortable. Imagine a summer barbecue suddenly interrupted by a rain shower (we’ve all been there.) With a stylish kitchen conservatory, you can still pretend you’re outside enjoying the sun whilst remaining safe and protected from the rain and cold. 

Office

Over the past two years, the world has seen a huge increase in people working from home, no thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. It has become the new norm in many cases, meaning people need a more permanent workspace set up in their houses. Having an office conservatory allows you to escape the noisiness of the house, enjoy the natural sunlight and get your work done in an environment conducive to productivity. 

Contact Outside Interests Today

There are countless uses for conservatories we haven’t mentioned here. They are some of the most versatile structures and can significantly impact your house’s style, functionality, and space. From a games room to a kid’s play area, the opportunities are pretty much limitless. Is your interest piqued? Why not get in touch with the expert team at Outside Interests to discuss how a conservatory would best suit your home and needs? We are always more than happy to offer advice, answer questions, and give you a tour around our Barnham showroom, where you can see plenty of the styles we offer. Your new home awaits!

Points to Remember while Discussing Your Requirements with Orangery Builder

Requirements with Orangery Builder

Building an orangery is an excellent way of making use of additional space in your home; they are multi-functional and very versatile. However, since the investment can be quite costly, it requires appropriate planning. Discussing the purpose of the space with the professional builder for orangeries in Hampshire will be beneficial to help you decide on the most suitable orangery for your home and to optimise the financial value.

Points to consider before building an orangery for the house 

  1. Intention or objective of the space

Something to consider when you begin thinking about why you would like an orangery is, what are your requirements and what is the purpose of adding this extra space? An extension is another option to add more space to your home. Either choice will add a whole new dimension to your space whilst also adding value.

  1. Ambience and temperature

Regulating the temperature of an orangery can sometimes be difficult. Some homeowners find that during the summer months, the space can get very warm, whereas in the winter it can be extremely cold. We suggest making sure that the builders install appropriate glazed glass windows to retain the room temperature. You could also look at installing warm lighting to create an ambience. Other factors include adequate insulation, design composition, walls and paint etc.

  1. Damp conditions

Any damp issues must be resolved immediately. We advise that you ensure the orangery builder check this before beginning construction. Damp mostly occurs from mould, condensation or insufficient heating or insulation. The process becomes costly and time-consuming. It also hampers functioning in the long run. If you plan to sell your house in the future, addressing damp issues is vital.

  1. Materials

Another consideration to make is deciding on which materials to use. You have an array of choices from hardwood to aluminium and more. Each material has its benefits. When finding a builder of orangeries in Chichester you can discuss this in-depth.  It is all down to your own personal preference. There are also many cost-effective options and easy to maintain materials too.

  1. Positioning

The positioning of the orangery will be determined within the planning. Choose the direction of the doors and windows, the place to install the heating system and more. Decide according to the seasons, with proper air ventilation and access to the outdoors.

Questions To Ask Before Building An Orangery

orangery west sussex

Since the pandemic, we have certainly got used to the sanctity of our homes. Meaning the importance of our living space has become a priority.

Building an orangery may have been something you have recently considered. Orangeries have a range of benefits and can significantly transform the entire look and feel of a house. You can design an orangery to have a stylish, elegant and luxurious finish; the right builder will achieve this for you.

Within West Sussex, there is a range of professional services to help turn your dream build into a reality. To achieve the best results, we will suggest considering some factors to help.

Questions To Ask Before Building An Orangery

  1. How long has your business been operating?

It is necessary to check their work experience before beginning work. The businesses expertise will confirm the quality of their work. Take a look at previous projects and the number of projects your chosen business has handled.  An orangery is a significant investment.; therefore, we suggest looking at testimonials and examples of the work they have carried out. Initially, this will help reassure that you have chosen the right company and will also build trust going forward with your plans.

  1. Does the company have a registered work license?

To avoid any potential issues, you need to establish that the builders you have chosen have a registered work license. The business for orangeries in Surrey should be registered. Check whether the team you are dealing with is reputable. Conveying and exchanging ideas is essential, and communication is vital when deciding on a project like this. Ensure that the company works according to legal industry guidelines.

  1. Do you have insurance against any accident?

All orangery builders have a legal obligation to possess public liability insurance; you can ask to view their policy certificate. These are claims designed to safeguard the workers from any accident or death while they are at work. It also includes claims for property damage.

  1. Can your builders create an orangery that will enhance the look of my home?

We suggest doing your research into the style of orangeries you like. If your taste is suited to rustic charm, explain your requirements and see if the company can create this look. If you prefer a homely comfort feel, a company may suggest choosing an oak framed garden room. Regardless of the design you choose, by creating an open plan living space with an adjoining kitchen/dining room, you will immediately enhance the look of your home. It will be a wonderfully inviting space to enjoy.

One of the principal benefits of an orangery is that it becomes the link between the house and garden and can extend your outside views.

At Outside Interests, our expert orangery builders can design an orangery that has these attributes and so much more. We provide quality grade orangery building services at competitive prices. Our orangeries have a long-term guarantee to give you peace of mind whilst enjoying your new extended space.