Thinking Outside the Kitchen- Entertaining in Unexpected Places

On Monday’s blog we peeked at a unique entertaining space. Our client thought it would be fun to repurpose an extra bedroom as a dressing room for her and her girlfriends to get ready for a night on the town or a gala together. We designed a “Ladies in Waiting Room.” Can’t wait to share the finished space with you later in the year! This idea made me think; what other opportunities are there to entertain in a less traditional space that people are missing? Not every party or get-together needs to center around the kitchen, great room, or dining room.
Here are some spaces that aren’t always thought of as places to entertain that you might want to think about for yourself and add a little more fun to life!
Porches
Consider serving a small luncheon at an intimate table on a porch or maybe host a bridge or mahjong game. If it’s ladies only you can add some particularly feminine touches like a fashion forward rug or floral prints to your design.
And it doesn’t have to be just for the ladies, instead of sticking a poker table in the basement consider hosting your poker game on a fun porch with a bar cart and fresh air!


Entries
A center table in an entry can make a great spot for entertaining. If you are hosting a dinner for two people or two couples sometimes the dining table can feel awkward. A center table can be just the right size for a smaller gathering and feel cozier. By really changing it up you can create a memorable experience for your guests.
Entries can also make great auxiliary spaces for a larger event. An extra bar, a dessert station, or extra dining space can all be incorporated into a well-designed entry.

Living Rooms
One of the most common complaints we get from clients is that people clump up in their kitchen when they are entertaining. Our solution: give them a reason to go into the living room. A billiards table, toys, musical instruments, game tables are all reasons to enjoy the living room as more than just a spot for conversation. Think about the things your guests love to do when they come over and incorporate those activities into the living room to get the circulation of the party going.
Living in your entire home takes some intention and planning but using other spaces to entertain can be a richer experience for both you and your guests!