A video of a homeowner candidly questioning the popularity of conservatories, a once “trendy” home feature, which she now considers “unattractive,” has gone viral on TikTok.
The clip, posted by 27-year-old Cariad Eccles (@cariadcooks), has garnered over 419,000 views since it was posted on April 11. Eccles lives in a two-bedroom terraced house in Cheshire, a county in northwest England, with her husband.
“Why on Earth were conservatories ever trendy?” text overlaid on the viral video reads. In the clip, Eccles is visibly unimpressed, asking: “Why did anyone ever think that conservatories were a good idea? I feel like I’m sitting in a garden shed and there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ve now vowed I would never buy another house with a conservatory.”
Despite the critique, Eccles told Newsweek that the extra space provided by the conservatory was still a draw. “I don’t regret going for a home with a conservatory, as it gives us lots of extra space, but I do think conservatories are unattractive,” she said.
@cariadcooks on TikTok
The viral post comes as home renovation spending was found to have surged in recent years, with the median spend increasing by 60 percent in recent years, from $15,000 in 2020 to $24,000 in 2023, according to a 2024 report by Houzz, a home design website.
Eccles explained to Newsweek that the couple originally hoped to renovate the space. “We thought we would likely convert the conservatory to a proper room, but as we won’t live here much longer before upsizing, it doesn’t make financial sense to do the work now,” she said.
In the video, she says: “But turns out it’s quite expensive to do that and we probably wouldn’t make the money back on the house because it will still be a two-bed and a terraced house.”
“The roof is the part of the conservatory I don’t like, as well as having the original patio doors inside,” she told Newsweek, noting that “it’s hard to make it feel cozy.”
Are Conservatories Worth Having in Your Home?
Experts say conservatories can still serve a purpose—if designed with intent.
“I think conservatories can be a wonderful addition to a home if well thought out,” Alecia Taylor, a designer at CabinetNow.com, told Newsweek. “They won’t always increase resale, but they’re a perfect chance to design a functional, sunny room.”
Jen Baxter from Baxter Hill Interiors said that in smaller homes, conservatories can be an inefficient use of space. “But if you already have one—or live in a larger home—it can become a jewel box within the house when designed well,” she told Newsweek.
Baxter, who specializes in creating bespoke interiors that enhance wellbeing, pointed to both aesthetic and health benefits. “A conservatory is a great way to connect more closely with the outdoors. While this intuitively feels right, it’s also supported by research in neuroaesthetics and biophilia, showing that exposure to nature can help reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing,” she said.
Design Tips for a Conservatory
Janette Ewen, designer and creative director at Parker Barrow Design, believes conservatories can become the “highlight of a home” with the right approach. “These spaces are designed for hobbies and fun and need to be decorated accordingly,” she told Newsweek.
Ewen recommends adding plenty of plants to soften the space. “Fill the corners of the space with potted plants in varying sizes, place some on plant stands and use mix-and-match pots for a bohemian flare,” she said. “Rounded-out rooms always feel welcoming. I always say a room with no obvious corners feels like a hug.”
Dima Berlin/Getty Images
In response to the echo heard in Eccles’s TikTok video, Ewen suggests layering rugs to absorb sound. “They do triple duty—they absorb sounds, soften the room, add design flare, and are comfortable for those standing in a room,” she said.
Furniture choices also matter. The conservatory is the ideal place for a mix-and-match rustic upholstered furniture style, Ewen added: “Bring in a few eclectic collectables to add personality. Old garden statues and antique bird cages will add character to the space.”
Baxter emphasized the importance of managing light and temperature. “High-quality—ideally double—glazing and proper insulation are essential to keep it usable year-round,” she said, suggesting soft fabrics and natural textures like jute rugs, rattan furniture and ceramic accents to warm up the space.
Taylor agreed: “To look inviting and functional throughout the year, proper temperature control and insulation are important. Installing comfortable seating, plush items, and a proper number of plants will make the room warm and linked with the rest of your home.”
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