They were one of the biggest home trends of the 80s' and 90s' - hailed for offering unparalleled sunlight and an affordable space for all of the family to enjoy.But over the last decade, the British public has slowly fallen out of love with conservatories, with new data uncovering that just 8.6 per cent of households across the country still boast one.In London, this figure has plummeted to a staggering low of just 2.9 per cent, with residents in the capital typically favouring garden or balcony space, eXp UK found.According to interiors expert Jordana Ashkenazi, conservatories are undergoing 'a bit of an identity crisis' as they struggle to find their feet among modern home layouts.'They were one of the biggest home trends of the ’80s and ’90s because they were one of the quickest and most affordable ways to add extra living space without the cost, disruption and planning of building an extension,' she told The Daily Mail.'At that time, they made perfect sense. The problem is, many of them still look like they’re stuck in the ’90s. They’re freezing in winter, boiling in summer and have become the room where old furniture goes to retire.'With space valuable and homeowners eager to ensure they are making the most of every room, Jordana encourages individuals to question whether their conservatory needs an urgent makeover.From a library to a wellness retreat, playrooms and smart storage, read on to discover how to make your conservatory your new favourite room, and maybe even add value to your property... According to interiors expert Jordana Ashkenazi, conservatories are undergoing 'a bit of an identity crisis' as they struggle to find their feet among modern home layouts. Pictured: Lorraine Kelly seen in her conservatory 1. Stop treating it like a greenhouseIt's no secret that conservatories attract a great deal of light, with their all-glass exterior making them a perfect sun trap. However, with heatwaves on the rise and Britain currently enduring one of its hottest summers on record, the desirability of such a warm room may be slowly on the decline.Jordana said: 'If your conservatory is hotter than Marbella in July and colder than your ex in January, it’s officially time for a rethink.'She added that 'one of the biggest mistakes' owners of a conservatory typically make is opting for styles and decorations that are 'completely different from the rest of the house', 'Forget the wicker furniture, tired pot plants and anything that screams “sunroom”,' she said.'Instead, treat it like another living space by adding beautiful rugs, layered lighting, soft furnishings and furniture you’d happily have in your living room.'Life’s too short for rooms you only use three weekends a year.'2. Give it a facelift instead of a funeral While conservatories may be on the decline, Jordana advises against automatically assuming they are no longer an attractive feature altogether. Pictured: Mrs Hinch's stylish conservatory fitted with a fire While conservatories may be on the decline, Jordana advises against automatically assuming they are no longer an attractive feature altogether. She added: 'One of the biggest misconceptions is that your only choices are to keep a dated conservatory or spend a fortune building a new extension. However, there’s a really clever middle ground.'She noted that if the 'glazing is still in condition' then this is grounds for keeping a conservatory, as the price of replacing it is often the 'most expensive'.Meanwhile, she noted that rather than demolishing it altogether, certain upgrades can help improve the overall look and feel of a conservatory. 'Upgrading bulky white uPVC to slimline aluminium frames in bronze, black or anthracite, replacing the roof and installing more contemporary doors can completely transform the look,' she said.'One design solution I love is removing sections of glazing and replacing them with insulated half-height or three-quarter-height walls. It instantly makes the room feel less like a glass box and much more like part of the house.'She noted that beyond merely aesthetics, adding extra walls also helps to 'regulate the temperature, give you valuable wall space for radiators, artwork, cabinetry or furniture, and suddenly the room feels much more like part of the house.''Making these subtle yet crucial changes will allow you to 'feel closer to an extension without starting from scratch,' she added.'With thoughtful redesign, you can keep those advantages while creating something that feels far more luxurious.'Sometimes it’s not the room that’s dated; it’s the way it’s been built.'3. Make it feel like it was always there While a conservatory may inherently not be a traditional feature in a home, Jordana suggests that a seamless and effortless feel to the rest of the house is key. Pictured: Molly Mae's conservatory The ultimate goal, according to Jordana, is to 'make people wonder where the original house ends and the conservatory begins'While a conservatory may inherently not be a traditional feature in a home, Jordana suggests that a seamless and effortless feel to the rest of the house is key. 'If your layout allows, open it into the kitchen, dining room or living room,' she advised.'Continue the same flooring, paint colours, skirting boards, lighting and finishes so your eye naturally flows from one space to the next.'The ultimate goal, according to Jordana, is to 'make people wonder where the original house ends and the conservatory begins'. 'If they can't tell, you've got it right,' she added.'The best extensions are the ones people don’t even notice. They just feel like they’ve always been there.'4. Turn it into a luxurious dining roomPerhaps it was once home to sofas that were barely used or an old pool table. Now, Jordana suggests reconsidering your conservatory space as a more sociable part of the home. She added: 'Natural light and garden views make conservatories brilliant entertaining spaces.'To avoid it becoming a room with little use, Jordana suggests 'losing the tiny breakfast table','If you’ve got room with views, it deserves something more generous. 'A large dining table, upholstered dining chairs, statement lighting and some beautiful styling. It will become the room where everyone naturally gathers, and nobody wants to leave.'5. Create a Club LibraryRather than a room that gets little use and too much light, Jordana advises converting it into 'somewhere to properly switch off'.She added: 'Think bespoke bookshelves, oversized armchairs, layered lighting and rich textures. 'Somewhere you can enjoy a coffee, read a good book or just disappear for some peace and quiet.'She noted that rather than needing more space, having an area in your home that you can truly 'escape to' is the greatest option. 6. Design your own hotel-style retreatWhile too much sunlight can be challenging to deal with, the nice sunlight can also make a conservatory a suitable space for more relaxed activities. In particular, Jordana suggests converting your conservatory into an area where you can do the likes of 'pilates, meditation or simply enjoying a peaceful morning coffee before the day begins.'To help bring this vision to life, Jordana suggests investing a number of new home decoration pieces to elevate the space.She added: Introduce natural timber, linen fabrics, calming colours and plenty of greenery, and you’ve created your own boutique hotel-style retreat without leaving home.'7. Create a playroom that grows with your family A conservatory serves as an ideal place for a playroom if a homeowner has young children in need of more space, according to Jordana. Pictured: Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash in their conservatory Jordana explained: 'Conservatories make fantastic playrooms because they feel bright, open and remain connected to the rest of the house. Pictured: Stacey's conservatory before she renovated itAs an open, bright space that is usually in close proximity to the kitchen or living room, a conservatory serves as an ideal place for a playroom if a homeowner has young children in need of more space.Investing in some colourful decorations, smart storage and comfortable rugs makes it perfect for a playroom in the early years.However, soft furnishings can allow it to grow into a teenage snug as children grow older.Jordana explained: 'Conservatories make fantastic playrooms because they feel bright, open and remain connected to the rest of the house.'Add clever built-in storage and durable finishes now, then let the room evolve into a teenage snug, games room or study later on. 'It’s a space that grows with your family rather than a room that only works for a few years.'8. Give clutter a designer postcode'Let’s be honest, every family has Amazon parcels, wrapping paper, dog leads, school bags and all the random bits that never seem to have a proper home,' Jordana said.Instead of avoiding the clutter altogether, Jordana advises finding smart ways to work around it within the confines of your conservatory. She explained: 'Whether it’s bespoke or off-the-shelf joinery, it can transform a dumping ground into an organised storage room that still feels stylish.'Good storage never gets the attention it deserves, but it’s one of the reasons beautifully designed homes always feel so effortless.'9. Create a practical boot room or garden entranceIf your conservatory backs out onto the garden, then it serves as the perfect opportunity to create a practical boot room or stylish garden entrance. Utilising the space, rather than leaving it abandoned can ensure that it gets practical use for years to come.'If your conservatory leads into the garden, it’s missing an opportunity if it’s not working hard enough,' said Jordana.'Built-in cabinetry, bench seating, coat hooks, hidden shoe storage and somewhere to kick off muddy boots will stop the chaos reaching the rest of the house.'It’s one of those practical spaces you’ll wonder how you ever managed without.'10. Build the home office you actually deserve If your conservatory backs out onto the garden, then it serves as the perfect opportunity to create a practical boot room or stylish garden entrance. Pictured: Molly Smith and Tom Clare seen with their conservatory which overlooks their garden With working from home on the rise and study spaces often sparse, a conservatory is the perfect place to focus.' A conservatory’s natural light makes it the perfect place for a beautifully designed office with bespoke joinery, comfortable seating and plenty of storage,' Jordana noted.'It creates a workspace that feels inspiring rather than improvised.'She added that as homes have 'dramatically changed' and the way we use them has as well, this is the perfect time for your conservatory to 'earn its place in your home'. 'If it isn’t making your life easier or making your home more beautiful, then it’s time to give it a promotion… or let it go.'11. Be brave and let it goUltimately, some conservatories are simply not worth saving, and it is best to acknowledge when to let it go.'If it’s leaking, impossible to heat, unbearably hot in summer and completely disconnected from the rest of your home, sometimes the best decision is to remove it and replace it with a thoughtfully designed extension,' Jordana advised. 'Not because conservatories are bad, but because your home deserves something that works better for the way you live.'Sometimes the best renovation decision isn’t what you add. It’s what you’re prepared to take away.'