Designer Tip: Be a Good Host and Make Everyone Feel Welcome
Nothing fills a house with joy like good company and good times. Have your home become the house your friends want to spend time at by making your home comfortable and having a place for everyone.
If you have a large family, or if you like to entertain, be sure to consider those factors when planning your space. I have friends who love to throw parties, but they never have the appropriate placements for their guests to sit comfortably. After a while, they wondered why people stopped attending their parties. It wasn’t them, it was their furniture! (Or lack thereof.)
Sectionals are an excellent tool for accommodating larger groups in family rooms. In my floor plans, I often add a sofa table with a few small benches tucked under it, so that the benches can be pulled out at a moment’s notice for extra company. Your favorite armchair’s matching ottoman can also be utilized for larger gatherings.
One of the space-saving tricks that I have used in the dining room is placing a bench on one side. With the bench’s ability to seat more people closer together than a few chairs even right next to each other, you always have a simple way to squeeze more people in at the table.
Heather McManus
Artistry Interiors