Are you desperate to be able to enjoy the great outdoors without having days ruined by our unpredictable weather?

The answer has got to be a conservatory - the perfect light, airy retreat where you can enjoy a long, leisurely lunch looking out at your private landscape, or have a romantic dinner in the evening gazing up at the stars.

It’s also a great addition to any home - and could even add value to your property, as conservatories are rated as the top non-essential home improvement

Before you join the fast-growing ‘conservatory club’, it’s important to be aware of what makes a conservatory work well.

Aidan Jackson, marketing director of Amdega conservatories, says: “Space is always at a premium and a conservatory is the most versatile way of getting extra living space. These rooms can be used for anything from a dining room to a playroom, or even their traditional use – cultivating exotic house plants.

“I think one of the most unusual uses we have seen one put to was housing someone’s valuable collection of tortoises!”

Jackson cautions that however you use your conservatory, “it shouldn’t overpower the garden by being too large, and in style it must harmonise with the property’s original style or period.

“Good construction, with the stone or brick base blending with the house’s structure, is also vital. Don’t neglect adequate ventilation and heating so that you ensure the room can be used all year round. A space that is searing hot in the summer or freezing in the winter is pointless.”

Amdega bespoke conservatories start from around £25,000. Leading conservatory designer Peter Marston is passionate about conservatories and can take credit for some of the most beautiful examples in the world, from Tokyo to San Francisco.

“A conservatory’s a wonderful way of expanding your home and it enables people to live a semi-outdoor life by linking the house with the garden,” he says. His company, Marston & Langinger, has built bespoke conservatories in shaded city gardens, on top of buildings as enclosed roof gardens, or even as an entrance to a home.

Designs derive from enduringly popular period styles such as Edwardian timber designs or Victorian styles with lacy iron work, although he says contemporary designs are gaining ground. A bespoke conservatory starts from around £25,000.

“A skilfully designed conservatory should fit seamlessly with the existing building so the rooms it adjoins naturally flow to it,” he says.

“If that’s achieved, it can transform a house and most of my clients say it is their favourite room.” Use our guide to find one to suit your home and budget and create a chic conservatory with our style tips.

Conservatories have come a long way since they were invented by the Dutch in the 17th century to house plants.

They now come in a variety of different sizes from the lean-to, octagonal bay, rectilinear gabled structure, or a hipped structure on the side of a home. Styles include classic Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian. Materials include PVCu, PVCu wood grain and hardwood and they come in hundreds of sizes.

CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE

Blinds are essential for protection from the sun’s rays. Julie Bratton, marketing executive for conservatory blind specialists Thomas Sanderson, says: "Bright spring and summer sunshine is often a cause of concern as it fades furniture or upholstery, as well as causing glare on a computer or television screen.” The company’s blinds use a solar reflective fabric to reduce harmful glare while allowing natural sunlight to flood in. Hand-crafted blinds in 200 colours and styles have a remote control option.

CONSERVATORY STYLE

A conservatory can adapt to whatever style you choose, whether contemporary or traditional. When it comes to furnishing, it’s an opportunity to try something different in style from the rest of the home. In general, light, bright fabrics and informal furniture suit airy, sun-filled rooms. Aidan Jackson, marketing director of Amdega, says: “Avoid delicate fabrics or antique furniture because of the possibility of sun damage. “Cotton fabrics and hardwearing wicker or rattan furniture are ideal for a relaxing room like this.”

FABRICS

Natural fabrics and light colourways will suit your ‘indoor/outdoor’ room. Stripes or checks in 100% cotton would be a fresh, hard-wearing choice for a conservatory. Ian Mankin has a brilliant selection in his affordable range. Striped ticking fabric is available from £18.50 a metre.

Alternatively, reflect the outdoors with Laura Ashley’s floral fabrics such as Hutton Stripe, £20 a metre.

FURNITURE

Most high street furniture stores offer ranges of hardwearing wicker and rattan furniture. Marks & Spencer’s Mosaic collection features a table and four chairs for £349. Alternatively, try the Malang four-piece furniture set from Homebase, £299.

PAINT

Subtle and soft earth colours will blend better with garden surroundings than white. Check out Laura Ashley and Fired Earth’s paint collections. The latter’s range includes Elements of Colour by Kevin McCloud which features suitably subtle shades.

FLOORS

Use practical flooring such as tiles or vinyl. Companies such as B&Q sell well-priced stone or stone effect tiles suitable for conservatories, or consider hard-wearing vinyl flooring from companies like Amtico.

TOP TIPS

1. If you opt for a bespoke conservatory, ensure the designer incorporates your requests so the building is tailored to your lifestyle.
2. A south-facing room will benefit from heat and light throughout the year - ideal if you live in northern England or Scotland - but you will need blinds and extra ventilation if you live in the warmer South.
3. You will need double glazing and extra insulation in a north-facing conservatory.
4. The back of the house is the most common position for a conservatory, but you may be able to add one to the side of your home if it is set back slightly by even a couple of bricks.
5. Do not demolish a garage to fit a conservatory as it could put off future buyers.