Homes Designed for Entertaining: 3 Must-Know Considerations

Do you have a formal dining room that you use for entertaining in your home? If so, how often do you use it? If you answered, “Not very often,” you’re like most families today. Gone are the days of our parents’ formal dinner parties. These days, casual, kid-friendly, indoor-outdoor entertaining is the name of the game. 

We’re creating living rooms with ample seating & open concept kitchens with bars or islands (or both) for gathering. When designing a home with an entertaining focus, every detail matters, from “people traffic” flow to what those wet feet will do to the floor when they come in from the pool. 

So, what specifics should you keep in mind when designing a home where you’ll entertain? Keep reading for our top 3 considerations that will get you on the right track.

Consideration #1: Flow Through the Home

Let’s be honest, when someone walks into your home, they’ll go where you tell them to. And when your home has been thoughtfully designed, you shouldn’t have to say a word – the carefully planned flow will guide them through your space. 

Why is this important? Everyone’s “flow needs” differ. It’s why one of the first questions we ask in our client questionnaire is, “How often do you entertain?” With any floor plan update comes a thoughtful layout. Here are a few examples of how we design for your specific flow needs:

Purposeful Elements: If we’re designing for you & your immediate family alone, the space may wind up looking different than if we’re designing for regular gatherings that include your large extended family. A few years ago, we designed a home for a family whose #1 evening priority was family game or puzzle night. In lieu of a breakfast nook, we created a casual seating vignette with a game table and poufs for the kids. Perfect for what they needed.

Planned Negative Space: If you have active kids or a large family moving through your home each day, carefully planned negative space is a must. We created plenty of negative space in our Glenellen project for the busy family of 6 to move easily.

Indoor-Outdoor Flow: If you utilize outdoor space at all, easy flow in and out is critical. In our Emerald Forest project, we created a new entry point to the backyard. Not only was the original entry obstructed, but the size of the tiny corner door just wasn’t sufficient to get to & from the pool with 3 busy boys. Problem solved!

Specified Seating: All aspects of seating should be carefully planned to allow for your highest functioning space. In our Morningside project, we needed to seat five adults comfortably in the family room, so a large sectional was the winner. The 3 stools in the kitchen of our Emerald Forest project were also intentional – one for each of the 3 boys = no fighting! (Or so one can dream…)

Easily Accessible Amenities: The last thing you want when hosting is for you and your guests to have to move awkwardly through a space to get what they need. Our Hollywood Park kitchen is the perfect example of strategically planned amenities. The long island was designed for kids’ seating on one end and adults at the other by the ice, drinks, & charcuterie board butcher block. We positioned the fridge to be easily accessible to everyone, so no one is interrupted or needs to move when it’s opened.

Consideration #2: Durable Materials & Fabrics

If you’re investing in your home, making smart choices with your materials is a decision you’ll never regret. It’s no secret – kids are messy, & I won’t deny that we adults have the occasional party foul, too. If the thought of a guacamole spill on the sofa or scuff marks on your millwork sets you into a panic, opting for durability whenever possible is the answer. Here are a few materials worth prioritizing:

Smart Flooring Options: When sifting through the endless options for flooring, always begin by considering function. What kind of traffic will flow through the space? What makes the most sense for how the space will be used? 

In our Hollywood Park project, we selected a durable tile to hold up to the family’s pool parties. We specifically chose a finish that wouldn’t be slippery for wet little feet – traction is so important! On the other hand, in the breakfast nook of our Glenellen project, we opted not to include a rug because the family has 4 young boys. Mindful choices!

Durable Fabrics: Remember that guacamole spill in front of the big game? If your sofa doesn’t have performance fabric, I’d probably panic right along with you. But if you made the smart choice to opt for Crypton or another performance variety, you can breathe a big sigh of relief. Literally just about everything washes right out. It’s why we intentionally chose a darker Crypton fabric for the sofa in our Emerald Forest project. Zero fabric worries for the win!

Easy-to-Clean Bathroom Materials: If you’re beginning your dream bathroom reno, chances are, you’ve put a lot of thought into the aesthetic. Relaxing in your own personal luxe spa sounds dreamy, but be sure to consider maintenance. That marble tile may look gorgeous in your shower, but its porosity means it cannot be deep cleaned to prevent mold and stains. Probably not the best choice for longevity.

Consideration #3: Lifestyle Goals

When you begin a major home project, ask yourself this key question: Am I designing for how I live, or how I want to live? Yes, there’s a difference, & it’s a pretty critical one. Dig deep and really consider what matters so you can prioritize what you truly love. 

When it comes to entertaining, so many of us think we need certain expected elements, but if you design your home for something you do just once or twice a year (something that doesn’t work the other 364 days), is it really worth it? Instead, consider adding a customized, functional space that you’ll use all the time, like…

Multi-Purpose Spaces: Seriously, so many families are incorporating rooms that hold multiple purposes, where everyone can be together even if they’re not doing the same thing. A great example? Our Waterford game room. It was once an underutilized space & now, it’s used constantly by the whole family. Thanks to sofa seating, table seating, and a bar area with snacks, it’s become their favorite place for studying, entertaining, computer work, and game & movie night.

A Room for Your Favorite Thing: Do you have a special activity you love sharing with friends? Crafting, gaming, playing music, etc.? Designing a room dedicated to your favorite “thing” will bring so much to the way you share your home with others. Our Waterford clients love billiards, so we transformed their unused office into the perfect game day escape where the older kids & adults can enjoy some friendly competition.

Kids’ Spaces: We all know the value of playrooms for little ones, but as kids get older & more independent, a dedicated space for them to hang with friends is just as important. I can tell you firsthand that transforming my flex space into a teen game room was one of my greatest recent decisions – for the kids and for my husband & me! 

We recently completed a basement design for our Peacock Farm clients – it was a massive overhaul converting the space to a studio apartment-like space. It’s become the perfect hangout for the family’s daughters & their field hockey teammates, complete with a training area and plenty of space to hype for the next tournament.

Gaining Clarity with a Designer

Designing a home for entertaining is SO much more than making sure you have enough chairs for a holiday dinner or space in your cabinets for servingware. (Though I will say that adding electrical for your holiday tree is a must!) It’s about uncovering the dream vs. reality, & that, my friend, is our specialty. 

We’re pros at thinking creatively and coming up with solutions that will cater to you, your immediate family, & additional guests as well. If you’re ready for some support uncovering the design that fits you best, reach out to us here, & let’s chat.

Xo,
Shawna