For many of our clients, their home serves two functions - everyday living and entertaining at home.
First and foremost, their house is their home. It is where their life happens, where they raise their families and make memories.
However, it can also have a secondary function. It is also a place where they entertain guests for business. And entertaining guests in your home can be a bit of a challenge.
How do you design an entertaining space that will impress your guests but still feel like home? What steps can you take to present yourself and your home in the best professional light?
This article will examine the top three considerations for designing an entertaining space in your home. We will look at your kitchen, your layout and your furniture.
Of course, we know that each home and each family is different. That is why when you design your home with AMR Design, our initial consultation is comprehensive. We want to fully understand what it means for you to live in and entertain in your house. Then, we take care of all the details to give you a space that exceeds your expectations and meets your needs.
First, let's talk about how entertaining colleagues and clients at your home intersects with your professional image.
Entertaining at Home and Your Professional Image
For most of our clients, entertaining at home is a way to extend their professional brand. They want their guests to see their home as an extension of their office.
As the saying goes, first impressions are lasting. This means that the entertaining space in your home needs to be well-designed and thoughtfully laid out. What your colleagues and clients see when they visit your home reflects you and your business.
This is why it is so important to have a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional. A beautiful entertaining space that doesn't function well is not going to make a good impression on guests. Likewise, an entertaining area that is too informal or too cramped will also send the wrong message.
Additionally, when you invite clients to your home, you are surely hoping that the entertaining space will make a good impression and lead to you closing a deal. If your home’s design creates any obstacles to those conversations from taking place, it can negatively impact your business.
Your entertaining space should be inviting and make your guests feel comfortable. It should also be practical so you can quickly move around and interact with your guests.
To achieve this, there are three key considerations: your kitchen, layout, and furniture. Let's consider each of these in more detail.
Entertaining at Home: Your Kitchen
No matter how beautiful the rest of your home is, we know where people will be at your next party...in the kitchen!
The kitchen is the heart of your home, and entertaining guests is no exception. If you are planning to do any entertaining at home, you should design your kitchen with entertaining in mind. After all, that's where the food and drinks are!
First, think about traffic flow. When you have guests in your kitchen, you want to ensure there is a smooth traffic flow and that the designs encourage guests not to be in the working triangle or the area between the refrigerator, stove and sink.
You also want to make sure you have enough counter space. This is key for entertaining because you need a place to put food as you are preparing it and a place for guests to set down their plates and glasses. If you don't have enough counter space, consider adding an island or a counter-height table.
You may also want to have a space for guests to serve their own drinks and food. That space is also handy when you're not entertaining - for example, some of our clients use that area so their children can pack their lunches or help with dinner.
Another consideration when entertaining at home is to make sure your kitchen has adequate lighting. You want to make sure you can see what you're cooking, but you also want to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your guests. One way to do that is by adding accent lighting, like under-cabinet lights or pendant lights.
Finally, don't forget about storage! You will likely have more dishes, glassware and serving pieces when entertaining at home. You want to make sure you have a place to store those items so that they are easily accessible when you need them but out of the way when you don't.
Entertaining at Home: Your Layout
The layout of your home can also be a significant factor in entertaining guests. If you have an open floor plan, you have more flexibility in arranging your furniture and setting up your space. But even if you don't have an open floor plan, there are still ways to make entertaining at home a breeze.
First, think about how your guests will feel entering your home. You want to create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere so they feel comfortable as soon as they walk in the door.
Your entrance should have enough space to accommodate guests as they come in and take their coats off. You want to keep the area bright and uncluttered so that guests feel like they can move around unfettered.
Once guests are in your home, you want to make sure they have a place to go. That's why it's crucial to have a clear path from the entrance to the entertaining area. You don't want guests feeling like they're in your way or that they're intruding on your personal space.
When entertaining at home, you also want to think about the flow of traffic. You want your guests to be able to move around without having to backtrack or go through a narrow space.
You also want to think about where you put your seating. You want your guests to be able to see each other and interact easily. So, if you have a dining room table, consider putting it in the middle of the room instead of against a wall. And if you are entertaining in your living room, arrange your furniture to encourage conversation.
Don't forget to consider your guests' different needs - on the one hand, you want open spaces to mingle. But you also wish to have places where people can have a more intimate conversation. So, you may want to have a few different seating areas or nooks that allow both quiet discussions and larger group conversations.
Entertaining at Home: Your Furniture
The furniture you use in your entertaining space is also essential. You want to make sure you have enough seating and that the furniture is comfortable. But you also want to make sure it fits the style of your home and entertaining space.
You may want to use more traditional furniture if you have a formal entertaining space, like a dining room. But if you are entertaining in your kitchen or living room, you may want to use more casual furniture.
You also want to make sure your furniture is multi-functional. Having multifunctional furniture means you can use it for entertaining and everyday life. For example, a counter-height table can be used as a place to prep food or as a buffet table.
Think about seating that swivels since you can use it for entertaining and for everyday life. Ottomans with storage are also a great option because they can be used as extra seating or as a place to store blankets and pillows.
And don't forget about using your furniture to create different areas in your entertaining space. For example, you may want to have a conversation area with a few chairs and a coffee table. Or you may want to create a bar area with stools and a counter-height table.
By thinking about the layout, furniture and storage in your entertaining space, you can create a space that is both functional and stylish. The result? An entertaining area that will impress your guests and make hosting high-end clientele at home a breeze.
Choosing the Right Designer for Your Next Project
The right designer can make all the difference when it comes to entertaining at home. You want someone who has experience working with other families with the same goals that you have - to have a livable space that facilitates entertaining at home.
We have worked with many professionals to create spaces that allow for bolstering your professional image and entertaining at home. Consider one example, which you can read more about here. Besides making their home ready for their second child, we also updated the entrance to be more inviting. We created a better flow so that they were able to effectively and confidently entertain high-end clientele and other guests.
The right designer will also be able to work with you to create a space that fits your budget and your entertaining needs. So, if you're ready to get started on making your home a place that facilitates entertaining important guests, contact us today!