Conservatories are very versatile rooms and can be used for so many different functions. The great thing about a conservatory is you can really tailor the building to your own specification to make sure you get a usable space, but also don’t impede on your garden too much.

But with this comes the struggle to be able to furnish a conservatory without the room looking too cluttered and still functioning.

Below are 8 ideas on space-saving furniture that will add to the practicality of the room and keep your conservatory looking sleek.

1. Hanging Chairs

Chairs are important in any conservatory; they provide comfort and are essential for entertaining. There aren’t really any set rules on what chairs you can put in your conservatory, but if you are looking for inspiration, you can see a great list of recommended conservatory chairs here.

You may not have considered a hanging chair, but they are an amazing space-saver while looking stylish and also homey. By attaching your chair to the ceiling (if the structure allows), you save the space underneath for anything else you need, whether it be magazine racks, toy boxes or even the dog bed!

2. Bench Seating

If your budget allows, consider some custom bench seating around your windows. Firstly, this gives you a seating area, meaning the rest of your conservatory can be dedicated to any other functions.

Secondly, many of these units can be customised to have storage underneath and as we all know, you can never have enough storage. You can dress your bench seating in cushions that complement the rest of the room and change them throughout seasons to really keep your room looking chic.

Extra storage can really help when dealing with changing weather, conservatories are notorious for suffering from extreme weather conditions so you can keep fans and conservatory heaters within this new storage, awaiting their appropriate season.

3. Leaning Shelves

No matter how big our homes are and how often we clear out clutter, we never seem to have enough storage space. Shelving units are great for books, DVDs, CDs and also decorative items like vases and plants.

However, these can be a bit overpowering in small rooms and can reduce natural light, leaning shelves are the perfect substitute. This still gives a large surface area for storing whatever we need but by taking up slightly less space, it really makes a difference to the aesthetic of your conservatory.

4. Mirrors

Mirrors are a fabulous way to give the illusion of a bigger space, especially if they are placed on a wall that gets a lot of light. Reflecting this light around your conservatory tricks the eye into thinking there is more space.

Statement mirrors are perfect as they don’t just give us this extra light but also can become the focal point of the whole conservatory. This doesn’t have to be costly, charity and thrift shops often have unwanted mirrors in them, take that battered old frame and give it a fresh coat of paint in the colour that compliments your current room and you’ll have a really classy piece of decor.

5. Low Furniture

This may seem a little odd but it really works. Purchasing furniture that is low, like coffee tables and chairs, can give the illusion of higher ceilings and therefore a larger room. You can then contrast these with taller furniture that is not bulky, such as floor lamps and plants.

6. Nesting Tables

Table space is essential when entertaining or doing activities with the kids, but we don’t want our conservatories to be dominated with large tables if we don’t have space.

The perfect solution is nesting tables, this gives you the option to transform one small table into two or more for when it is needed, with the benefit of tucking them away when not in use.

They are also perfect if you are wanting a more ‘grown-up’ look whilst in storage as you can keep the top table in line with your conservatory decor and you can decorate the smaller hidden ones to be more kid friendly. Adding vinyl and stickers is a great way to achieve this.

7. Rugs

It is a common misconception that rugs can make a room look smaller and a tiny space will need a small rug.

A large rug can visually break up your floor space and make the room look bigger as it tricks the mind into thinking the surface is grander.

If the rest of your furniture is quite neutral, go for bold colours and or prints to make a statement.

8. Pegs

This may not seem so innovative but used correctly, you can use pegs to really add to your space.

Not only will pegs keep coats and hats neatly by your conservatory door and stop the family from leaving them on floors and chairs, but they can also add a decorative element to the room.

House plants are the latest ‘it’ thing, but we don’t all have space for them. Conservatories are the perfect room to grow greenery due to all that wonderful natural light, so make the most of it.

Hanging planters and the very fashionable macrame hangers can look amazing dangled at different heights form a set of coat pegs. You can also use pegs for hanging frames, this lets you display your decorative items without taking up any precious floor space.

Pegs are also great for storage; we all have bits and pieces that don’t really have a ‘home’ and can often be stuffed under furniture or in the classic ‘messy cupboard’. Invest in some tote bags with your chosen design on them and hang them on your pegs, this way you can place anything you want in there but no one will know it’s organised mess, it can look more like a feature.

You should now have some great inspiration for how to furnish your small conservatory or any smaller room in your home. It’s a delicate balance between having the furniture you need and becoming too cluttered so always consider functionality first and then work around the design.