Designing A Home For Entertaining
We started Cape House with a shared desire for creating spaces built for entertaining! It's in the casual dinners, daily routines and celebrations around the kitchen island that we find the most joy.
A house built for hosting.
Today we're diving in and sharing a few of our best tips for designing a home that's ideal for entertaining! Whether it's an existing home or your new construction dream home, with a few simple changes you can make your space the perfect spot for hosting and toasting!
1. AIM FOR BALANCE, NOT PERFECTION
Ditch the concept of design perfection and embrace the balancing act. Your home doesn't have to be perfect to entertain, in fact, your guests would rather it not be. Overly formal spaces can often feel stuffy so opt to mix in casual touches that make guests feel comfortable enough to stay awhile!
2. OPEN UP YOUR KITCHEN
While open floorplans are certainly well suited for hosting large gatherings, if you live in an older home you probably have more division between the rooms in your home. You can still open up your kitchen to make it a space for more than meal prep. Adding comfortable bar or counter stools around your kitchen peninsula or island can instantly turn your kitchen into everyone's favorite room in the house! No space for stools? In-kitchen dining is a great alternative. A neglected breakfast nook can transform into a lovely gathering space with the right table and chairs!
3. TAKE THE PARTY OUTSIDE
When we hear clients and friends share that their space is just too small for entertaining, we often explore the potential of a backyard revamp! With proper outdoor furniture, a few fancy twinkle lights (full disclosure: they're not all that fancy - just a lot of fun!) and a little imagination, you can create outdoor living spaces ideal for hosting.
4. DON'T NEGLECT GOOD SEATING
It's easy to select beautiful chairs and sofas but it's equally as important to select comfortable chairs and sofas for your space! As a guest there are few things worse than sitting around a dining table in a chair you can't stand! Thankfully, we're all about form AND function at Cape House so we take both comfort and design into consideration. If you take just one thought away from today's post: comfortable living and dining room seating makes your guests feel right at home!
5. DON'T OVER-FILL THE SPACE
If you're hosting a large gathering, consider open spaces around the rooms you're entertaining in. Less furniture means more room to stand and gather. Things like benches, small stools, ottomans and smaller end tables are easy to tuck away while guests are over! Consider spaces in your home that might be best left empty and if necessary, fill them with items that can easily be hidden.
