How to Design Your Home for Entertaining
While October is the month that the holidays start coming to mind, the truth is that most of us are entertaining guests all year long. Be it birthdays, anniversaries, or a night honoring an accomplishment, it seems that we’re always celebrating…as we should be!
The only thing better than a room full of your favorite people? Living in a home designed to accommodate these occasions with ease.
In general, I tend to keep our special events pretty informal, but nothing elevates your guest’s experience like an organized, welcoming environment that makes them feel right at home. Today I’m sharing my best tips for planning all of your entertaining spaces, including:
Kitchen
Dining Room
Basement/Kid Spaces
Foyer
Powder Room
So pop the bubbly and let’s go beyond fancy table settings and fresh flowers to create a memory-making experience for both you and your guests. (P.S. You’ll want to bookmark this one!)
Kitchens Designed for Function & Flow
Have you noticed that no matter where you want your guests to gather, they tend to find their way to the kitchen? The saying is true: this room is the heart of the home…and function and flow are essentials.
Snack & Drink Station: Create an appetizer and drink station that will benefit everyone – including the kiddos. (Because no one wants to hear “I’m starving!” all night.) Stock this area full of plates, napkins, silverware, glasses, ice, and bottle openers, so guests can easily help themselves while you prep for dinner.
Chef’s Helper: Be sure to position the food and drink area away from your workspace. The kitchen island or an accessible wet bar is a great choice, since guests can mingle on all sides. The chef (or maybe that’s you!) will be thankful.
Must-Have Storage: For a family who loves to entertain, plenty of storage is a must. Consider well-planned cabinet space, a spacious pantry, or a large butler’s pantry to keep platters, bowls, and cooking appliances organized and out of sight.
Dining Rooms with Space for Everyone
If you’re anything like most families these days, your formal dining room only gets used a few times a year. That hasn’t stopped families from wanting one in their homes, though. Gathering around a beautifully decorated table to celebrate a holiday is a beloved core memory, and most want to continue the tradition.
Table Tips: When choosing furniture for your dining room, I recommend a table with leaves. You may prefer to keep it at its smaller size for every day, but when you host large gatherings, you’ll be thankful that it can expand to accommodate extra seating.
Extra Seating: If seating everyone at your dining table is impossible, a designated kids’ table will give you more space and make the meal fun for the kiddos. Win, win! It’s also smart to have a few extra chairs scattered around the house that can easily be pulled up for entertaining.
Smart Serving: As you plan your meal, it’s also wise to consider where and how you’ll serve it. For example, large bowls of pasta and salads could be placed on the dining table and passed from guest to guest, but greasy pizza boxes for the kids…probably not. Also, check to be sure you have the appropriate size and amount of serving pieces for a large holiday meal.
The Game Changer: A buffet or sideboard in the dining room will serve two valuable functions: extra storage and the perfect dessert table. Plus, it looks beautiful!
Basements for Cozy, Family-Friendly Fun
With all of the time we’ve been spending at home over the past few years, basements have become a hot topic. People want a family-friendly space where they can entertain, but in a casual, laid-back way.
For the Kids: If kids are involved in your event, it’s important to ensure they have a place to go where they can be kids. The basement is usually the perfect solution since many of us use it as a kid-friendly, game-night, or movie-night area. Have toys, activities, snacks, and drinks ready so they can have fun while the adults chat upstairs.
The Essentials: You’ll want to keep this space relaxing and casual. Consider including a comfy couch, a large screen TV perfect for watching the football game, a fireplace (because in Minnesota, why not?!), a bar area for setting out drinks and food, and a table and chairs for playing games.
For Extra Comfort: Don’t forget the amenities that will put comfort and ease over the top — like a beverage fridge so guests can help themselves without having to trek up and down the stairs for a drink and a microwave for movie night popcorn. Does it get any cozier than that?
Foyers that Create a Welcoming Impression
You may be surprised to see the foyer on this list, but a welcoming first impression is essential to setting the tone. Think about your guests’ experience from the moment they walk in your door. Your foyer is the first space they will see, so make it memorable!
Set the Scene: If you design your foyer thoughtfully, you won’t need to prep much in this space. Before your guests arrive, set the scene for the occasion. Light a scented candle, include a fresh bouquet on your entry table, or dim the lighting for a moody entrée.
Accommodations: Guests will likely be shedding their coats, so make sure the coat rack or closet has plenty of space. If necessary, you could also designate an area for shoes, including a bench where they can sit comfortably to remove them. This will keep the rest of the home clean, too.
Mirror, Mirror: Last but not least, I always suggest adding a mirror to your foyer. Not only does it help brighten the space with reflected light, but everyone appreciates one last check in a mirror before entering a party.
Powder Rooms with Personality
Like the foyer, your powder room is not an entertaining space, but everyone will likely use this space at some point. Prepping this room to be part of the experience will make your event even more unforgettable.
The Amenities: For a special event, add nice towels and soap to your powder room. Be sure that the lighting is good and that toiletries are stocked appropriately for the number of guests who will attend.
The Design: The powder room is a small, closed off space, making it the perfect room to take a daring design risk. While this isn’t something you’d attempt on the night of the event, if you’re renovating or refreshing, why not get creative? I always encourage my clients to choose an exciting wallpaper or hang fun art in the powder room. You’ll be surprised by just how many people compliment you!
Outdoor Areas for Al Fresco Entertaining
Yes, summer has come and gone, but why not plan ahead? Entertaining outside has an entirely different vibe than our typical indoor gatherings. And who doesn’t love a good backyard BBQ under the stars with cocktails and good friends? Here’s how to make it count:
Landscaping: If you’ll entertain guests outside, it’s wise to be sure everything is prepped, clean, and neat for their comfort. No one enjoys walking through tall grass or dining with overgrown boxwood encroaching on the table, so make sure your landscaping is in order.
Clean & Pristine: Outdoor areas are notorious for collecting dirt, spiderwebs (and their inhabitants), and other unwelcome dinner guests. Wipe down tables, including the undersides, and be sure your grill is cleaned up and ready to cook delicious food. (Don’t forget mosquito-repelling candles!)
For Good Times: To inspire conversation and mingling, position chairs and sofas toward each other. Add ambient lighting, string lights, or a relaxing sitting area with a swing and cozy chairs. These are simple touches that will make your outdoor living spaces the place to be.
Entertaining with Ease
The secret is out — with some smart design moves and prepping each space before guests arrive, hosting becomes more enjoyable and soooo much easier. Whether you’re planning for a large, festive crowd this holiday season or a milestone birthday or anniversary celebration in the coming months, I know you’ve got this!
If you’re looking for additional guidance in designing the perfect home to entertain the people you love, we’re here to help. Reach out, and let’s start the conversation!
