Home for the Holidays: Revamping Living Areas for Entertainment
/
PHOTO CREDIT: PINTEREST
The excitement of the holidays is here, which means plenty of chances to entertain at home. When it comes to hosting guests, it’s important to both ensure that they feel at ease and have a great time in your home. From hanging holiday decor to creating cozy seating arrangements, there are lots of simple living room decor changes that can elevate the mood.
As one of the leading Chicago interior design firms, we stand by these living room ideas to foster a fun, sociable environment over the holidays.
Get Organized
Before you can assess what needs to be changed in terms of living room decor, it’s essential that your space be clean and tidy. When you’re busy over the holidays, it’s easy for things to start to look cluttered, which is why having great storage solutions can do wonders for the look and feel of your living area. Get ahead of the problem by upgrading your shelving or adding a few storage cubes, a storage ottoman, or some decorative baskets.
Light Up The Room
PHOTO CREDIT: PINTEREST
In the darkest nights of the year, lighting can be a powerful tool in creating an inviting atmosphere. A candlelit space is perfect for a dinner or movie night, while bright lights will make your party feel energetic. When choosing what types of lighting you’ll need, consider what activities you'll be doing and how you’d like people to feel. In general, we prefer layered lighting with multiple sources of light, including lamps, recessed lighting, sconces, chandeliers, and candles. Having plenty of lighting options allows you to try out different amounts of lights to see which works best for the occasion.
Rearrange Seating
PHOTO CREDIT: PAULA INTERIORS
The best part of entertaining is enjoying the company of your guests. When you're planning your holiday celebration, think about how you can make guests feel more comfortable. One way of doing this is to rearrange your seating arrangement so that chairs and sofas are closer together to facilitate easy conversation. It’s best to set up several smaller areas rather than one large open seating arrangement. Having a few stools around is a good idea in case you end up needing additional seating.
Add Soft Furnishings
PHOTO CREDIT: PINTEREST
For a quick and easy way to warm up a room, try adding some soft throws to your sofas and laying down rugs on bare floors. These soft furnishings not only look cozy, but they are a practical way to make sure all of your guests are comfortable and warm. Throws made from materials like cashmere, fleece, and velvet are a big hit on chilly nights, while textural rugs like the ones we used in a recent Lincoln Square living room design add visual interest to the room. Using two rugs in an open room can also help delineate space between dining and living areas.
Bring The Outside In
Instead of buying all of your holiday decor, take a look outside first at what nature has provided for you. For example, you might be able to decorate your Christmas table with pinecones and evergreen branches found in the yard. Berry branches also look festive when added to floral arrangements. This fresh touch of natural elements will instantly make your space feel more festive and cozy.
Set Up A Bar Cart
Finally, don’t let your guests go thirsty! While you are cooking the big meal, give them the option to refill their glasses from a luxe bar cart, like the one we used in a recent living room design in Lakeview. Your bar cart or cabinet can be stocked with glasses, barware, liquors, or even a pre-mixed drink in a pitcher. You can even turn your bar cart into a hot chocolate and dessert bar after dinner.
While these living decor ideas seem small, they can make all the difference when it comes to entertaining. Creating a beautiful, warm environment for your holiday parties will not only ensure that people have a great time, but you’ll be able to enjoy the set up all winter long. If you're feeling stuck on what to do, don't be afraid to reach out for advice from our Chicago interior designers. Happy hosting!
Stay tuned to this blog and follow us on Instagram here!
Talk to you soon,
Paula