How to Design a Home Your Friends and Family Want to Hang Out In
Be the Host With the Most (Style)
Is it your dream to host the perfect Thanksgiving dinner, be known for the most epic neighborhood block parties, or simply make holiday memories around the fireplace? Becoming the go-to holiday host takes equal parts hospitality (which you probably already have down) and an inviting home (which maybe you’re looking to spruce up). If your house doesn’t feel company-ready right now, don’t worry. The LiLi Tile Team is here to teach you how to design a home your friends and family will want to hang out in—any chance they can get. Get ready to become the host with the most style!
12 Tips to Design the Perfect Home for Entertaining
Designing a home for entertaining is all about making your guests feel welcome. Before you host your next gathering, ask yourself: Are there enough places for everyone to sit? Does the kitchen have enough space for food prep? Does my home have that warm, cozy feeling that makes people want to sit down and take their shoes off?
Follow these 12 tips to design the perfect home for entertaining friends and family.
1. Create Multiple Seating Areas
The first step in designing an entertainment space is to ensure there is ample seating for everyone coming over. Create multiple seating areas throughout your home—in the kitchen, living areas, and even outside on the patio. Rather than having one big communal space, break seating arrangements into smaller vignettes to promote conversations throughout the party.
2. Designate Zones for Different Activities
While you’re creating different seating areas, make it a point to designate zones for different activities. For example, you can have a dining space off the kitchen, a living room seating area for conversation, intimate bar seating to share a drink, and a game room setup for board games or movie viewing. Blending all these activities in one space can get chaotic, so remember to have some separation between these zones.
3. Add Indoor-Outdoor Flow for Easy, Breezy Hosting
If the interior of your home feels too small for hosting large gatherings, why not take the party outside? Creating indoor-outdoor flow in your home will naturally lead guests to explore patio and outdoor spaces. You can do this by installing large sliding glass doors, extending a covered patio, and using the same tile indoors and out to create the feeling of one continuous living space. Terracotta tiles are a great option for this because they are durable enough to withstand the elements and a beautiful complement to your home interior. As a bonus, add an outdoor focal point like a firepit to provide warmth on chilly nights and create a natural gathering space.
4. Spice Up the Kitchen With Chef-Approved Features
The best part of any gathering is the food! Adding a little spice to your kitchen design will turn up the heat on those holiday recipes you love to cook. Consider incorporating a kitchen island into your design for additional prep, serving, and seating space. Adding a butler’s pantry could also be a good option for keeping the main kitchen area looking clean for guests. If a major kitchen remodel isn’t on the party agenda this year, small updates like a trendy Zellige tile backsplash will completely transform the look of your space and make it more inviting.
5. Keep Things Cool (or Heat Things Up)
It’s a small detail, but have you ever noticed how the temperature of a room affects how you feel in a space? This comfort level could be what makes your guests leave the party early. Did you know cement tiles help regulate the temperature of your home? That’s right! Their high thermal mass helps keep the interior of your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which means your guests will feel cozy for any holiday gathering.
6. Design a Fireplace Feature to Gather Around
Can you think of anything cozier than a holiday gathering around the fireplace? Creating a statement fireplace feature is a fantastic way to ground your space and set the perfect backdrop for your holiday entertaining. We recommend tiling your fireplace surround and hearth with a fun and colorful patterned tile and accenting with an oversized mantel.
7. Layer in Textures for a Cozy Vibe
Liven up your room and give it that cozy vibe by layering in different textures. Of course, this includes throw blankets, pillows, and draperies. But don’t forget to think about the textures of hard surfaces, like metallic finishes, tiles, and woodwork.
8. Show Off Your Personality
Remember, the family, friends, and guests attending your gatherings are really there for you! So, don’t be afraid to show off your personality throughout your home. Making generic or safe choices can leave your home feeling a little bland and impersonal. Instead, embrace your favorite colors and have some fun with your design choices. You may even want to go as far as designing your own custom tile!
9. Make Your Furry Friends Feel Welcome
If your home is pet-friendly, why not extend the party invitation to your four-legged friends? Make it a puppy party by designating indoor and outdoor pet spaces, making sure to include extra water bowls and plenty of toys. In your design plan, you can give an ode to your family pets by personalizing their spaces with doggy and kitty tiles from the LiLi Pets Collection.
10. Embrace the Dark Side
Have you ever considered how the office feels different from your favorite happy hour bar? You probably feel more relaxed at the bar, ready to catch up with friends and maybe even dance. Chances are your office space is light, bright, and sterile, while the bar is a little darker and moodier. Embrace the dark side in your design by selecting richer colors and mood lighting. This will make your space cozier, more intimate, and less buttoned up for that Friday night feeling!
11. Prioritize Durability
Hosting large gatherings comes with a bit of wear and tear. You should be prepared for the occasional spilled drink and not let it ruin the party. Select durable finishes, such as performance fabrics and cement tile floors. You could even use patterned tiles to create the visual feeling of a rug with the benefit of easy cleanup.
12. Send Out the Invites
The most important part of designing a home for entertaining is sending out the invitations! Remember, your home doesn’t have to be “perfect” for you to host the perfect party. The most important design elements are your friends and family who fill the space.
Make Your House Everyone’s Favorite Hangout Spot
There you have it! With these 12 design tips, you’re well on your way to designing a home everyone wants to hang out in. Remember, the most important part of designing your home (and hosting a party) is to have fun!
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