The best space-saving furniture

The festive period is a time for big get-togethers, roast dinners and guests. But as most of us don’t have Downton-esque entertaining facilities, this can present a challenge on the hardware front. Where is everyone going to sleep / sit / eat? Peter Kay struck a chord with the ‘‘emergency chairs’’ scenario, where the sprouts end up being passed around the table in a comedy trajectory from the highest stool to the lowest pouffe, as you try to cobble together enough seating.

To avoid cousin Kenneth sliding off the beanbag, you could invest in some smart chairs that can be stacked when not in use. Designers have spent many years trying to come up with the ultimate stackable chair that is comfy, strong, nice to look at, and a good fit on top of one another.

Robin Day’s classic Polyprop with its simple plastic shell on tubular steel legs has been reissued at John Lewis, which also sells Jasper Morrison’s simple and striking Magis Air. Last year, Ikea presented the Janinge, its fresh, Scandi take on the stackable chair. For well-priced fold-up chairs, it’s Ikea again, or the garden centre. Probably best not to sit Grandma on one of these at dinner, though.

Extendable tables come in all shapes and sizes, and you may just get by with an extra flap that you put up over the festive season. But if you want the wow factor, check out The Box: a cool, glossy coffee table that contains all the necessary bits to transform it into a long dining table, seating up to 10. It’s sold by onedeko.co.uk, an online stop for design-conscious space-saving furniture from chairs to tables and sofa-beds. Chelsea-based bonbon.co.uk also does a good range, including slick wall-bed systems. And Next is a good bet for sturdy guest beds that aren’t going to cripple your visitors in the night, including the stylish, contemporary Finnley.

But if budget and space don’t allow, you might be tempted to go for an inflatable mattress. These range from cheap one-pieces to deluxe base and mattress combos, seamlessly inflated in promo videos by smiling models. It is possible to spend a comfortable night or two on an inflatable bed – but you know it’s more likely to end in arched-back misery as the top layer heads for the floor.

Amazon and eBay are the natural hunting grounds for blow-up furniture, and you can research purchases in the reviews section. Then you’ll just have to take the risk, and if it’s no good for sleeping on, the little visitors can always use it as a Christmas spaceship.

Twitter: @BeContentUK