10 Ways to Turn your Living Room into an Inviting, Sociable Space
Encourage friends and family to hang out at your place by making sure your living room is the only place to be
Anna Tobin
23 February 2016
Houzz UK Contributor. I am an experienced lifestyle journalist, interior stylist and editor. I regularly contribute to all the UK glossies and the national press and international press and I run www.dontcrampourstyle.com, the blog for people who live in homes that they've physically outgrown. Follow me on Twitter @theannatobin or contact me via www.annatobin.co.uk
Houzz UK Contributor. I am an experienced lifestyle journalist, interior stylist... More
Is your living room the social heart of your home? If not, it’s time to transform it into a space where everyone wants to hang out. Think of the room as a stage and fill it with scenery that will instantly make your guests feel at home. Here’s how to create a great social life, all from the comfort of your sofa.
Slot in lots of seating
Make sure you have a variety of seating options in your living room that will work just as well for a few as for a crowd.
When it’s just you, your family or your housemates, you can sprawl out on the sofas, but when you have guests around, you want to ensure everyone has a seat. That might mean having a couple of spare armchairs that can be called upon or, if space is tight, turning a footstool into a perch.
When extra seating is needed in this room, the two armchairs can be simply moved sideways and the window seat comes into play.
Browse armchairs and accent chairs
Make sure you have a variety of seating options in your living room that will work just as well for a few as for a crowd.
When it’s just you, your family or your housemates, you can sprawl out on the sofas, but when you have guests around, you want to ensure everyone has a seat. That might mean having a couple of spare armchairs that can be called upon or, if space is tight, turning a footstool into a perch.
When extra seating is needed in this room, the two armchairs can be simply moved sideways and the window seat comes into play.
Browse armchairs and accent chairs
Create a feet-up mood
The most welcoming living rooms actually invite guests to put their feet up, be it on an upholstered pouffe, a chaise longue or an indoor lounger, as seen here. If you’re worried about getting footprints on your furniture, ask your guests to remove their shoes, which will make them feel even more at home.
Discover footstools and ottomans to help you put your feet up
The most welcoming living rooms actually invite guests to put their feet up, be it on an upholstered pouffe, a chaise longue or an indoor lounger, as seen here. If you’re worried about getting footprints on your furniture, ask your guests to remove their shoes, which will make them feel even more at home.
Discover footstools and ottomans to help you put your feet up
Add an extra layer of cosiness
Dress the sofas and chairs with plump cushions to add an additional layer of comfort. Drape a throw over an arm of the sofa, as seen here, so people can pull it around them on cooler evenings and choose a thick-pile rug or carpet that was made to dig your toes into.
Dress the sofas and chairs with plump cushions to add an additional layer of comfort. Drape a throw over an arm of the sofa, as seen here, so people can pull it around them on cooler evenings and choose a thick-pile rug or carpet that was made to dig your toes into.
Get a fire going
Sparking a fire in the hearth, or in a wood burner as shown here, is an instant conversation starter. It’ll create a welcoming atmosphere and everybody will be keen to learn how to fan the flames. Guests will also come in closer to enjoy its warmth. If a real fire isn’t an option there are some great electric wood burners on the market that look cosy and create a similar feel.
Sparking a fire in the hearth, or in a wood burner as shown here, is an instant conversation starter. It’ll create a welcoming atmosphere and everybody will be keen to learn how to fan the flames. Guests will also come in closer to enjoy its warmth. If a real fire isn’t an option there are some great electric wood burners on the market that look cosy and create a similar feel.
Include perches for drinks
If friends and family often descend on your home, it’s probably because you’re known not just for having a comfy living room, but for your excellent hospitality, too. So as well having a coffee table, make sure you have side tables at either end of the sofa for guests to rest their drinks and nibbles on. A nest of tables can also come in useful.
If friends and family often descend on your home, it’s probably because you’re known not just for having a comfy living room, but for your excellent hospitality, too. So as well having a coffee table, make sure you have side tables at either end of the sofa for guests to rest their drinks and nibbles on. A nest of tables can also come in useful.
Weave in a cocktail cabinet
A permanent home bar might be going too far, but if you’re entertaining, an impromptu cocktail bar will give your room that boutique-hotel honesty bar feel. Here, the sideboard is the perfect spot for a cocktail shaker and some drinks.
A permanent home bar might be going too far, but if you’re entertaining, an impromptu cocktail bar will give your room that boutique-hotel honesty bar feel. Here, the sideboard is the perfect spot for a cocktail shaker and some drinks.
Fit mood lighting
The latest lighting technology can transform your living room at the flick of a switch, giving it the air of a romantic hideaway before transforming it into a sophisticated night club.
If you don’t have the budget for high-tech lighting, a simple dimmer switch and targeted side lights can help to create your desired mood. Here, the floor spotlight will illuminate the coffee table as the sun sets, while the overhead pendant is dramatically reflected in the mantel mirror to throw a warm glow over everything.
The latest lighting technology can transform your living room at the flick of a switch, giving it the air of a romantic hideaway before transforming it into a sophisticated night club.
If you don’t have the budget for high-tech lighting, a simple dimmer switch and targeted side lights can help to create your desired mood. Here, the floor spotlight will illuminate the coffee table as the sun sets, while the overhead pendant is dramatically reflected in the mantel mirror to throw a warm glow over everything.
Make it super comfy
If you want to encourage people to spend time in your living room, not only do you need extra seating, it also needs to be cosy and comfy. For extra snugness, opt for sofas in rich, tactile fabrics, such as velvet. If you flopped onto this sofa, you’d never want to leave.
Want to revamp your living room? Mix and match your chairs
If you want to encourage people to spend time in your living room, not only do you need extra seating, it also needs to be cosy and comfy. For extra snugness, opt for sofas in rich, tactile fabrics, such as velvet. If you flopped onto this sofa, you’d never want to leave.
Want to revamp your living room? Mix and match your chairs
Cue the music
Get the party going with a tune or two. Install the latest integrated sound system and choose music to suit the mood via your smartphone or tablet. In this room, sleek speakers have been discreetly fitted into the ceiling.
Find out how to stylishly integrate audiovisual gadgets into your home
Get the party going with a tune or two. Install the latest integrated sound system and choose music to suit the mood via your smartphone or tablet. In this room, sleek speakers have been discreetly fitted into the ceiling.
Find out how to stylishly integrate audiovisual gadgets into your home
Flow into the dining area
Having an open-plan living and dining area like this will create a hang-out mood, as the party will naturally spill back into the living area once everyone has eaten. When you’re entertaining a crowd, it’s natural for different clusters to emerge and an arrangement like this allows each group to find its own space.
TELL US…
How have you made your living room a sociable space? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Having an open-plan living and dining area like this will create a hang-out mood, as the party will naturally spill back into the living area once everyone has eaten. When you’re entertaining a crowd, it’s natural for different clusters to emerge and an arrangement like this allows each group to find its own space.
TELL US…
How have you made your living room a sociable space? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
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We kept the existing panelling just painting the black beams milk white adding refurbished cream leather sofas and an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary lighting.
If the space allows it, one large living room can be divided in two separate sitting areas, back to back. I find it great for larger parties, as 12-15 people tend to have several conversations going at the same time. They can switch groups and it’s more interesting.