CONSERVATORIES were originally used as a place to cultivate potted plants and as a link between the house and garden.

However, a conservatory can offer so much more and be a perfect solution to gaining extra space for you to enjoy the sunshine all year round.

Whether you need a second sitting room, a bright dining room, a home office or somewhere to relax, a conservatory will open up your home and fill it with light.

There are lots of options available so consider carefully before you buy. As with all types of building work, check with the local planning department before you commit.

Most conservatories are built at ground level on the back or the side of the house. Remember to go for a good size that the garden can accommodate and check your own view as well as thinking about the view from your neighbours' prospective too.

Go for a style that is sympathetic with the age of your property - one that looks like an after-thought will be unattractive and could make your home difficult to sell at a later date.

There are four main designs:

The lean-to: The most basic design, normally rectangular with a sloping roof. This suits modern houses.

Victorian: Bay-fronted with six or eight sides, these have pitched roofs (where all sides slope) with decorative castings and suit older houses.

Edwardian or Georgian: These are square or rectangular with pitched roofs (two sloping sides) and are a good choice for many styles of home.

Bespoke: Custom-made and designed for your home.

The most cost-effective conservatory is in kit-form, available from a DIY giant or specialist supplier. The simplest model can take a competent DIY-er several weeks to build.

If you can't face constructing it yourself, make sure you get help from a qualified fitter. Remember to get several quotes and ask for referrals.

Having a bespoke conservatory built by a specialist company is the most expensive option but this does mean you have something specifically designed for you by an expert who can take all the hard work out of the process.

As long as your conservatory is properly heated and ventilated, it will be comfortable to use all year round.

When you've planned what you want to use the space for, consider your lighting or maybe the addition of a central fan to circulate air in the summer.

Choose practical flooring - ceramic tiles are an excellent option but consider under-floor heating for the colder winter months. Wood and vinyl flooring can be considered, although some may fade in strong light.

Protect your furnishings with conservatory blinds. As well as making your conservatory look finished, they'll add a splash of colour and also serve a practical purpose as they reduce glare, insulate in winter and protect your furnishings from fading.

If you're thinking of adding a conservatory to your home, check out the website www.conservatories4uk.com as it has great hints and tips to guide you in all areas of conservatory design.

If you need interior advice, you can contact me at Honeysuckle Interiors on 01256 780831 or log on to www.honeysuckleinteriors.co.uk