15 conservatory blind ideas to control light, insulation and privacy

These beautiful conservatory blind ideas are more than just decorative. Conservatories by nature are open, light-filled, glass rooms where the right window treatment becomes transformative in more ways than one.

Blinds offer shade to cool in the summer, insulation to stay warm in the winter and a level of privacy to ensure that your garden room ideas can be used all year round.

Conservatory blind ideas

When considering buying conservatory blinds, think about how you'll use the room to determine what purpose your blinds need to provide – therefore which style is best suited. Is it for insulation, light control or privacy? Whatever you need from your space, we have a conservatory idea to inspire.

'Neat pleated blinds are ideal for conservatory roofs as they are made to fit awkward shapes,' says Yvonne Keal, Senior Product Manager, Hillarys.

‘Those with thermal insulation properties reflect the heat of the sun. For the sides, choose from Venetian, Roman, roller, vertical or pleated blinds. With Trilite pleated blinds, you can cover the lower half of the window for privacy, or you can use it like a conventional blind from the top.'

1. Welcome privacy

Classic venetian blinds offer aluminium slats which provide more than sufficient privacy when in place, blocking the view into your glass garden room. The tilt functionality allows you to open and close the slats to control the amount of visibility. 

If your garden is overlooked you will benefit from a touch of privacy provided by this traditional blind design.

2. Control the light on all levels

Given a classic conservatory design features 75 per cent windows, it can be hard to decide where is best to place blinds. These Duoshade Easifit Grey Weave conservatory blinds are made to measure, giving you precise coverage for your space. 

Choose to restrict the view on the bottom windows for privacy and on the top windows to control the heat. Set on easy to install brackets, which simply click into place. This option of blinds requires no tools to fix them in place.

3. Insulate and reduce noise pollution

'We would usually recommend our Duette product range, partly due to the fact that it helps control temperature,' notes Chris Lapthorne at Luxaflex.

If you're wondering how to make a conservatory warmer, Chris has the answer. 'Duette has a unique honeycomb design and as you’ll know conservatories can become incredibly hot during the summer months. Duette stops heat from entering a room in the warmer months. And is also able to lock in heat during the cooler months.'

'Not only does it control temperature, but it can also absorb sound, reducing noise pollution and creating the perfect space to relax and unwind.'

4. Balance privacy with light levels

An open-plan kitchen diner can double as a small conservatory thanks to the roof lights and large sliding doors.

'Naturally, vertical and Venetian blinds can have their slats angled to allow that perfect level of light to enter the space while keeping prying eyes out,' advises Ana Zuravliova, Trend Specialist at Blinds Direct.

'Moreover, with many colours and finishes available to consider, both can easily add a sophisticated and elegant aesthetic to any part of the home.'

5. Co-ordinate all window coverings

This large conservatory has blinds on every pane of glass – a trick that works well if you're looking for window treatments for your orangery idea too.

'We are able to produce Duette Shades in different apex shapes too, so they can be used for the roof and help to create a uniformed look with the side blind,' says Chris from Luxaflex.

'If teamed with our TruFit solution you can create a seamless look, without the need for drilling or screwing. These shades are cord free. They can also be integrated with our home automation system PowerView so that the blinds can be moved at the touch of a button, through your handheld device or tablet.'

6. Add subtle coverage and colour

Create a happy compromise between covering windows and enjoying the view beyond. English Blinds have a solution that is ideal to add subtle layers of privacy and colour, with a smart Vision Day & Night design.

The conservatory blinds offer an innovative two layered half voile, half opaque fabric design, to transform the way you enjoy sun, privacy and shade in your garden room.

The hybrid of fabrics provides a subtle blind solution for your home while this large corner sofa is the perfect piece of conservatory furniture. They operate in the same way as regular roller blinds – featuring a control chain running in a loop at one side of the blind to move them up or down.

7. Welcome an accent colour

Use your blind choice to inject an accent colour into your conservatory interior idea. Be unapologetic about using a bold accent colour to enliven an all-white conservatory. A bold accent colour can prevent the space from feeling flat, dull and a little sterile.

Whether using a plain blind, as shown above, or a pattern, ensure the colour is used throughout the rest of the decor to unify the look. Generally it's best to stick to one dominant accent colour. Pair it with a maximum of two other less dramatic shades on soft furnishings tableware and accessories.

8. Enhance the decor

Make your practical window treatment understatedly attractive to enhance the decor. Choose a neutral blind solution to add a stylish touch, without overpowering with pattern and colour – sometimes less is more.

Use natural tones with warmth to lift the white aesthetic of a conservatory space. Add subtle rustic touches such as this industrial conservatory lighting ideas and metallic chairs.

9. Block direct overhead sunlight

Go for the most practical blind solution to suit your space. If you're on a budget and looking for the most effective blinds to make a multipurpose conservatory more useable, at any time of day simply block the sunlight overhead. Only covering one area makes dressing the space with blinds more affordable.

Blocking the light overhead can help to prevent the conservatory from becoming too hot throughout the day. It also means the room is still just as bright and welcoming because the remaining windows are not covered.

10. Dress the side windows

In some conservatory spaces you might not need to use blinds in a practical sense. For a space that acts as more of a walk-through space or side extension to a kitchen you may be looking for more practical conservatory flooring ideas as shown above and blinds that are purely decorative. In this case you can use a simple fabric design that adds a pelmet of decoration to the top of the side windows.

There's no rule that says the blinds have to be functional first. You might only use them once in a blue moon – but their presence invites a stylish touch to the decor. Be sure to dust blinds you aren't using frequently, because it will build up overtime if they are not in use.

11. Co-ordinate with decorative designs

Look to a window blind idea to tie the decor scheme together. Choose a coordinating colour scheme to flow throughout, from the blind fabric to the floor rug and cushions.

12. Ensure privacy with shutters

As with blinds, shutters can help to control the light, welcome privacy and keep a conservatory cool.

'Installing shutters in your conservatory can have a range of aesthetic as well as practical benefits,' says Sam Tamlyn at Shutterly Fabulous. 'One of the most functional benefits is the ability they have to insulate the room. Adding an extra layer of insulation to windows, they act as a form of double glazing which in turn can help to reduce heating bills.'

'During the summer, some conservatories – particularly south-facing ones – become uncomfortably hot because of the hot light that streams through all day. Shutters can block this (at times harmful) sunlight, allowing the room to stay cool.'

'In addition to the benefit of temperature control, shutters are also the ideal solution for balancing light and privacy in rooms where comfort and well-being are a must. Both of these features work well to transform the conservatory to a room that is appreciated year round, rather than just in the summer months'.

13. Look for a perfect fit

'Since many conservatories use uPVC windows, Perfect Fit blinds are an excellent choice,' advises Ana from Blinds Direct. 'Perfect Fit blinds feature a special frame that allows them to clip easily into a uPVC window frame, without the need for drills or screws.'

'What’s more, by fitting one to your conservatory’s door frame, the blind will move as a part of it, helping you enjoy your space without worrying about your blind getting in the way.'

14. Control the light at all times

Having control over the light allows you to utilise the space at all times throughout the day – morning, noon or night. Without the presence of blinds there may be times of the day where the direct sunlight renders the space unusable.

Having the ability to block the light with a suitable window treatment idea also provides temperature control at these times too.

15. Choose a drop down design with pattern

If you're looking for more of a decorative conservatory blind idea, rather than purely functional, a drop down fabric blind is a stylish solution.

A seamstress is the best option to fashion a simple blind for each drop, meaning you can pick the exact fabric of  your choosing. Adding a lining will ensure the fabric is less likely to fade, and also offer a better level of shade.