Whether you enjoy hosting parties, having friends over to watch the big game, or simply love to entertain in general, it’s important to make sure your living room is set up for comfort and entertaining guests in style. From the furniture you choose to the layout, knowing how to design a living room for entertaining can make a huge difference in your guests’ experience. We have a few helpful tips that will inspire you to create a living space that’s welcoming and functional for every occasion. Read on to discover some easy ways you can design your living space to make it the ultimate place for entertainment of all kinds.
Blend the Outside with the Indoors
If your living room is connected to the patio, it’s important to create a seamless transition between the inside and outside. Choose furniture and colors that are in the same or similar style for a cohesive look. For example, if you love modern design, make sure that your patio furniture is as modern as the furniture in your living room. Everything doesn’t need to match perfectly, but it should be somewhat similar for a nice visual transition. Use curtains or window treatments over sliding glass doors to provide privacy when you want to keep things intimate. Try a rolling bar cart that you can wheel from the living room directly to the patio and back again. Choose versatile, durable indoor/outdoor furniture and area rugs that will work both on the patio and inside your living space.
Add an Entertainment Center
As you think about how to design a living room for entertaining, keep your television in mind. Perhaps you love to have parties where everyone comes over to watch the big football game. Or maybe you like to invite friends over to binge-watch your favorite TV series together or play the host for movie nights. Whatever way you choose to watch TV, a durable entertainment center will keep everything nice and organized.
Make sure your new entertainment center will fit the size of your TV set nicely. Place it in a part of your living room where it will become the focal point of the room. Once you choose a style and the location for the TV and entertainment center, arrange your sofa, coffee table, and chairs around it. It’s the perfect way to design a layout that shows your guests the living room is the place to be for watching everything you love together.
Layer Your Lighting
Different occasions call for different lighting scenarios, so make sure that you incorporate as many options as possible. If your living room is utilized for movie-watching, install a dimmer switch so you can turn the lights down low while the movie plays. Layer lighting by adding task lights throughout the living room. A tall floor lamp next to a comfortable chair or recliner gives your guests extra light to read by or just so they can hang out without straining their eyes. Place table lamps strategically throughout the room, too. You can put one on end tables or a console table so there’s more lighting whenever you need it.
Focus on Comfortable Furniture
Another tip to help you determine how to design a living room for entertaining is to always choose the most comfortable furniture possible. A large sectional is a great choice if you have a large living space and love to entertain lots of people at once. Sofas should be extremely soft and comfy with thick cushioning on the back, seat, and arms.
Look for furniture made with durable hardwood frames so you know it will last for years to come. Of course, you can also never go wrong with a nice recliner or a cushy swivel club chair. The more comfortable your living room furniture, the longer your guests will want to stay. Layer throw pillows and throw blankets on your furniture so that guests can feel cozy when they hang out in your home.
Add a Bar
If your home is the place to be for parties and entertaining, adding a bar will take things up a notch. A beautiful stationary bar gives you a place to mix and serve adult beverages whenever your friends come over. If you don’t have room for a bar or prefer something a little bit more versatile, consider adding a nice pub table and a set of matching bar stools to the living room. Bars and pub tables will make your living room look and feel more casual and laid-back. This is also a fantastic way to design a living space where you can enjoy a few cocktails, try the newest craft beer, or sip on a great glass of wine together with family and friends. A rolling bar cart is also an excellent choice if you only like to serve a few drinks on occasion.
Express Yourself
Remember that your living room is the place where you can show off your unique personality and style. Don’t be afraid to add some of your personal touches to this room. Whether you want to show off some of your favorite photos or hang up some artwork, the key is to use items that add a special touch to the room. Showcase some of your most treasured decorative items, collectibles, and mementos by placing them on a beautiful bookcase or some wall shelves.
Paint the walls in a color you love and incorporate fun and funky items that allow you to show off what makes you, you. Not only will this make your living room look unique, but it’s also a fantastic way to spark up interesting conversations. From adding a sturdy entertainment center to the room and picking out comfy furniture and unique décor, remember these tips so you can design a living room that will make entertaining fun and easy.
If you need any additional design help, we invite you to visit our furniture showroom. We proudly serve Menlo Park, Los Gatos, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Oakland, San Jose, San Mateo, Redwood City, Alameda, San Ramon, and the surrounding areas.
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