One of the best features of owning your own piece of real estate in Australia or New Zealand is inviting other people over to share in the experience. Whether you are having friends over for some evening cocktails or hosting this year’s family Christmas, you’re getting the chance to show off your home and let your guests relax in a comfortable, sociable atmosphere.
Here are a few tips, big and small, you can take advantage of to make the most of the experience.
1) Open up the space
Open plan living is all the rage at the moment, and for good reason. This architectural style breaks down the barriers between guests both literally and figuratively, letting conversation flow equally between everyone.
However, even the largest living room in the world isn’t much use if it’s cluttered up with various bits of furniture. While you definitely want enough seating for everyone, there is a certain art to ensuring that you get the best of both worlds: space and comfort. For example, try investing in a rounded coffee or dining table rather than a rectangular one to add some soft curves to your decor and ensure your guests are spending less time dodging sharp corners.
One factor that you also have to remember that it is more about the illusion of space than the reality. Floor to ceiling windows take advantage of natural light, while also giving your guests a beautiful view of the outside world, making the room seem larger than it is. Better yet, investigate your options in bay windows to give your living room a little more space, some architectural flair as well as the chance to install window seating.
2) Comfort is king
You want your guests to be comfortable in both mind and body. Softer fabric choices like velvet for your sofas offer a luxurious experience for your guests, while light, calm shades of colour will stimulate a similarly relaxed atmosphere.
3) Fill in the blanks
Music and parties, parties and music. They go hand in hand, and for good reason. They fill in any awkward silences, create something for guests to bond over and help keep the gathering upbeat. You can take advantage of this in a number of ways.