The holidays are officially here and I am eagerly looking forward to the days filled with spending time with family and entertaining guests. These are the days we gather around in spaces in our homes and welcome our loved ones and friends; reminiscing and sharing great memories over savory dishes and sweet delights, not to mention a glass of my favorite wine :). With Thanksgiving only a few days away, I am particularly inspired by all the spaces in our homes where our family and friends tend to gather the most. These rooms are where some of our most cherished holiday memories are created, so why not make them a little more welcoming, sophisticated and stylish for the holiday season?! If, indeed, you are looking to spice up your gathering spaces, here are some of my favorite design concepts which will be sure to inspire you.
LIVING ROOMS
Due to its close proximity to the entrance and kitchen, the living room tends to be the first room where we host family and guests. It is one of, if not THE, most common room to laugh, think, and converse with one another. Therefore, it is important to design a sophisticated living room that is both inviting and suited for congregating and celebrating. Using design elements such as a custom-figured sectional will allow for open seating that is ideal for conversation and will give your guests the ability to move freely around the room. Pairing the sectional with a scaled cocktail table at arm’s reach provides your guests with the perfect place to sit down their drinks.
Every living room needs a great statement piece, so why not make it your fireplace! Having a fireplace as a focal point instantly creates a sophisticated and delightful ambiance perfect for entertaining. A fireplace exudes a warmth and coziness that is always an undeniable pleasure for guests.
Take a look at these stunning electronic fireplaces. These are sure to start a conversation due to their modern aesthetics and varying designs and sizes. These beautiful alternatives to the traditional fireplace, are offered in different colors that can accommodate any color palette and style. Quick design tip: you can also install these in your bedroom to create a nice warm and romantic feel in a more intimate space.
THEATER ROOMS
Give everyone the best seat in the house! When the evenings have turned chilly the idea of a true cinema-style media room to watch old movie favorites or catch up on the latest Netflix shows is a must! A custom media room gives you the opportunity to offer your guests a dose of personality with an extra layer of coziness. Pillows, blankets, oversized seating and a deluxe sound system are the design elements that come to mind when putting together the cinema experience. Not to mention, a theater room is a great place to entertain the kids when the parents want to enjoy some adult conversation.
Of course, nobody likes to see wires, mounts, and speakers. It takes away from the feel and experience. There are many innovative and architectural speaker brands that enable a clean, finished look without compromising design. There are recessed, in-ceiling speakers, projector screens that are acoustically designed to mount speakers behind the screen as to not see them. Don’t forget about the lighting as it is critical to the experience. Use enough light to create a subtle illumination but not enough to take away from the picture.
DINING ROOMS
After the kitchen, the dining room is the second most important space in a home during Thanksgiving. Welcoming your guests to a dining room that is both stylish and functional is essential for this great holiday. Sitting together to enjoy a delicious meal shouldn’t be just about the food, but should also provide your guests with an intimate experience of good conversation and beautifully designed surroundings. As you may know, two of the most important elements to a great dining room are the table and seating. The dining table should pleasantly accommodate all your guests and allow the conversation to flow freely without interruptions. The chairs should be sleek yet comfortable complementing your style and taste.
Elongated rectangular tables tend to be the most popular, but if your space cannot accommodate the length consider using a roundtable. Remember with round tables, you have to consider the diameter of the table and the chairs accessibility without restricting functionality. A chic round table design enables everyone to comfortably see and converse with each other while eating as well as allowing for some extra leg room.
I hope these designs have inspired you to create a room that you and family can enjoy not just for the holidays, but all year round. For more design concepts visit my new Pinterest board dedicated to gathering rooms!
