Entertaining at Home: Interior Design for Hosting

This challenge is not uncommon – homes today have fewer rooms and they need to work harder, often serving multiple purposes. At Emma Wood Interiors, we take this into consideration, working closely with our clients to curate a space that will elevate the experience for yourself and your guests.

Consider the Brief

First and foremost, it’s essential to consider what is required of the space, and how you intend to utilise it. Are you partial to chic cocktail parties for extended family and a wider circle of friends, or prefer intimate dinner parties with your nearest and dearest? Perhaps you’re happiest with a games night, or a movie screening?

Always give thought to the function of the room, the number of people you’d usually expect, and how you would get the most use from it. Spaces such as games rooms need to earn their keep, but they can often be multi-purpose, combining a traditional library or snug with a pull-down projector screen, snooker table, or dry bar.

Curating a Welcoming Flow

We often find that the key to entertaining is ensuring the layout of the home facilitates a natural flow, which can vary dependent on the existing layout.

Open Plan VS Broken Plan

An open plan layout will be familiar to most owners of a modern and contemporary home. In this instance, we recommend embracing the spaciousness by arranging furniture in a manner that encourages flow, whilst also distinguishing one area from the next. For example, a well-placed sofa with seating opposite can be an anchor for social interaction, or a dining table set back from an open plan kitchen can establish differing zones whilst facilitating interaction between guests.

For added flexibility, consider a ‘broken plan’ arrangement. Sliding pocket doors or Crittall doors can be perfect for this, allowing a more open environment when desired, but with the option for more privacy and division when needed.

Intimate Closed Rooms

For smaller spaces, or if your home is a more traditional format, it naturally lends itself to a more intimate environment, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still cater to your number of guests. Enhance the experience with strategically placed furniture that lead a guest from one room to another, or encourage interaction between rooms by installing internal windows or glass that can raise curiosity and allow a sneak-preview. We love using reeded glass set into shaker-style doors for this purpose, but of course this can vary based on the architecture of the property.

Of course, there are often several more factors to consider such as indoor-outdoor living or Al-Fresco dining, so don’t hesitate to contact us should you need any assistance. Notably, I would say don’t be afraid of making changes to the layout if budget allows it – you may be surprised at the impact this can have on a space.

Layering Light

Never underestimate the significance of lighting! Too bright and the room can appear sterile and unwelcoming, but too dim and it becomes impractical. The goal here is to strike a balance.

We always recommend layering lighting to add depth and dimension to a space. Overhead lighting is often needed for function, but can be harsh or cold. Balance this with ambient light from floor lamps or table lamps for a more welcoming environment. I personally love incorporating candles to create a soft glow and warmth – though only in child-free areas of course!

Wherever possible, all sources of light benefit from dimmer switches, allowing you to adjust the light according to the mood of your evening.

The Extras

To create the perfect environment for guest entertaining, the list of considerations can be endless, dependent on the space and your requirements. Listed below are a few additional items you may want to consider:

• At Home Bar: If you favour a cocktail party or kitchen disco, an elegant and well-organised bar can be transformative to your hosting skills, even if just a sleek bar cart in the corner. Keep this accessible and stylish, with complimentary glassware or an antique ice bucket to add to the sense of occasion.
• Seating: Sufficient seating for your guests should be a key consideration, but we know that sometimes space can be tight – consider pouffes or floor cushions that can be stored away when not in use. Alternatively, modular seating can be an advantageous option, allowing you to change the configuration based on the type of gathering.
• Storage: Of course, hosting could be rather a challenge without the required glasses, plates, and barware (the list goes on!). Be sure to incorporate enough storage into your scheme so these items have a set home when not in use, and the area does not become cluttered.
• Acoustics: If you’re partial to loud music, or there’s a musician in the family, you may want to consider acoustic treatment and sound insulation to dampen sound, improve acoustics, and maintain good neighbourly relations!
• The Personal Touch: At Emma Wood Interiors, we often use existing artworks or heirlooms as a springboard for our design schemes, as no home is truly complete without your personal touch. Be sure to inject character into your room with personal art and accessories, bespoke candles or vintage finds.

Evidently, designing a space for entertaining is about more than aesthetics, and rather establishing a warm environment that encourage conversation, interaction and connection. If you’d like assistance with this, or to discuss your own project to elevate next year’s festive season, contact us today! We look forward to hearing from you.