How to Make the Most of your Living Room for Entertaining

In a continuation of last week’s blog where we offered tips on making the most of your dining room for entertaining, this week we’re all about the living room. After you and your guests have eaten your fill of delicious holiday gourmet, you’ll most likely end up wandering to your living room. After you’ve cleared the dishes, gotten some fresh air, and are ready to enjoy the post-meal afterglow, the last thing you want to worry about is seating. These tips will help you make the most of your living room entertaining space and get you ready to host for the holidays.

Rearrange 

The biggest contender when it comes to entertaining is how your arrange your space. To make the most of your living room entertaining space, you may want to make some changes before guests arrive. What works for you and your family on any given day isn’t necessarily what will work for a crowd. One of the first things you should ask yourself when hosting a gathering is how many people will be coming. Once you’ve narrowed down your guest list, take a look around your living room. How many people can comfortably sit somewhere in your living room as it is now? You’ll want to move things around if you can’t fit all of your guests comfortably. Before your panic and stress about making sure your living room can fit 20+ people, keep in mind that all of your guests will most likely not be in one space at the same time, minus eating in the dining room. A good rule of thumb is to make sure there’s at least a solid space within the vicinity of where you’re entertaining where all guests can find some place to sit comfortably, whether it’s the dining room, a nook, or living room.

Sectionals 

We love using sectionals in our living room designs because they offer bulk comfortable seating that keeps everyone facing each other for easy conversation. Sectionals can really make the most of your living room entertaining space by offering an abundance of comfortable seating that’s perfect for a crowd.

Sofa Tables 

Sofa tables are so space-savvy! They can definitely help you make the most of your living room entertaining space because they’re so easy and space-saving. We love using sofa tables behind a sofa in the living room for additional spaces to set drinks and appetizers but they are also a great way to bring in extra lighting. Set a chic table lamp on a sofa table, put out some extra napkins and a few coasters and you’ll be good to go.

Pub Tables 

Pub tables are an excellent way to add casual seating in your living room, if your space allows. Pub tables are great for playing games of Scrabble during the holidays and can double as extra seating, too. If your living room can host the space, we recommend incorporating a sectional for plush seating and a pub table for game playing and drink sipping. Alternatively, pub tables are great in spaces like a finished basement. Let the gaming begin! You can make the most of your living room entertaining space by mixing up various seating nooks, it just takes a creative eye to arrange your space accordingly.

Ottomans 

Of course, a living room wouldn’t be complete without a gorgeous ottoman. Ottomans are perhaps the most versatile piece of a living room. For one, they work as a stylish place to rest drinks and snacks. Short on seating? Many of our ottomans are plush and perfect for a comfortable place to sit. Plus, many ottomans can open up to reveal extra storage space for things like games, blankets, and all those little things you don’t want sitting out like remotes, cables, and chords. A sleek ottoman is perhaps our favorite piece for living room entertaining space.

Layout and Furniture Arrangement

The first step to maximizing your living room for entertaining is to establish an efficient layout. Consider these tips:

• Open Floor Plan: If you have an open floor plan, define your living room area with a carefully placed area rug. This helps anchor the space and guides guests to the central entertaining zone.
• Flexible Seating: Invest in a variety of seating options, including sofas, armchairs, ottomans, and even floor cushions. These can be rearranged to accommodate different group sizes and seating preferences.
• Conversation Zones: Create conversation areas with seating arrangements that allow guests to interact comfortably. Avoid pushing all furniture against the walls; instead, arrange pieces to face each other.
• Traffic Flow: Ensure that there is a clear path for guests to move around. Arrange furniture to avoid bottleneck areas and make it easy for people to mingle.

Versatile Furniture Choices

Choose furniture that serves multiple purposes to adapt to different types of gatherings:

• Sleeper Sofas: A sleeper sofa can turn your living room into a temporary guest bedroom for overnight visitors.
• Cocktail Tables: Opt for coffee tables with built-in storage or ones that can be raised to dining height. This versatility is ideal for both casual gatherings and sit-down dinners.
•  Mobile Bar Carts: A bar cart filled with refreshments can be wheeled to any part of the room, making it convenient for hosting.
• Stackable and Foldable Seating: Invest in stackable or foldable chairs that can be easily stored when not in use, saving space in your living room.

Entertainment Center

Create a focal point that elevates your entertainment experience:

• TV and Sound System: Invest in a high-quality TV and sound system to enhance movie nights, sports events, or gaming sessions. Consider wall-mounting the TV for a sleek, space-saving solution.
• Media Console: Select a stylish media console with storage for DVDs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices, keeping your living room organized and clutter-free.

Ambiance and Lighting

The right ambiance can set the tone for a memorable evening:

• Dimmable Lighting: Install dimmer switches or use lamps with adjustable settings to create the desired mood, from cozy and intimate to bright and lively.
• Candles and Decorative Lighting: Add candles, string lights, or LED strips to enhance the atmosphere and provide soft, inviting illumination.
• Art and Decor: Choose artwork, decor, and accent pieces that reflect your personal style and create a welcoming environment. Personal touches like family photos can add warmth and character.

Food and Beverage Station

No entertaining space is complete without a designated area for refreshments:

• Bar Area: Set up a bar area with a variety of glassware, cocktail shakers, and a selection of spirits and mixers.
• Buffet Table: If you’re hosting a dinner party, a buffet table can be used to display and serve food, allowing guests to help themselves.
• Refreshment Station: A dedicated space for snacks, appetizers, and non-alcoholic beverages is perfect for casual gatherings.

Technology Integration

Take advantage of smart home technology to enhance your entertainment experience:

• Smart Home Devices: Invest in voice-activated smart home devices like Alexa or Google Home to control lighting, music, and more with ease.
• Home Automation: Consider smart blinds, climate control systems, and smart speakers to create a seamless and user-friendly entertainment environment.

Declutter 

Our final tip in making the most of your living room for entertaining is to declutter. As we mentioned before, pieces like sofa tables and ottomans are great ways to make the most of your space. Before guests come, it’s probably a good idea to store away things like glass, crystal, heirlooms, and chords. If you have limited table space try and pair down the amount of photos and home decor pieces you have throughout the space to free up table access. Guests will appreciate having a solid surface to place drinks so they can be hands free for grandchildren!

What about you? What’s your favorite hosting tip? If you have guests coming to your home this season, we want to hear from you! Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram and show us your style. For more ideas visit our showrooms where you’ll find the perfect piece to show off your individuality. As always, our professional staff is ready to assist you. With years of interior design experience, each of our expert staff members can help transform your space into the room you’ve always wanted. Our online store shows you just some of the many pieces we have to offer.

Be sure to check our showroom to see our entire product line. At Home Interior Warehouse there’s always something new. For more design tips and showroom updates follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s in store.