Other blogs we think you'll love!
How to Design Your Living Space for a Drama-Free Dinner Party
From wayward glasses of red wine to unanticipated guests or a surprise downpour, you often have to expect the unexpected when you’re hosting friends and family. Which is why we’re helping you to ditch the drama and entertain with ease with our top tips on designing and styling your living space.
Become the Host with the Most
When you’re renting your home, you can’t always entertain in the ways that you would like to.
You’re often making do with the space you’ve got, and even the best-laid plans get foiled by mother nature or a few unexpected guests that leave you scrambling for extra seats at the dinner table.
One of the best parts about building your new home is that you can design free flowing, indoor-outdoor spaces that suit the way you live, work and entertain.
So whether an intimate dinner party with your nearest and dearest is your style or you like to kick back with an afternoon BBQ, we’re here to help you find a floor plan that’ll let you entertain to your heart’s content, without having to worry about those unwelcome surprises.
Ready to ditch the drama at your next dinner party? Here’s our top 3 tips for a smooth-sailing night.
1. Rain, hail or shine, we've got you covered!
When it comes to hosting friends and family, a few things are out of your control, with weather being one of them. And for anyone who calls Melbourne home, you unfortunately know the stark reality of four seasons in one day.
But one thing you can control is your entertaining set-up. Our New Home Specialists will help you to find a floor plan that suits all of your entertaining needs, whatever the season. You’ll have comfortable spaces to hang out in during the stifling summer heat, like a covered alfresco with a ceiling fan. And when the clocks are turned back and the nights start to get longer, you’ll be able to retreat to your dining area for a cosy and intimate dinner party.
To get the most out of your open plan space, it’s important to think about the layout of your dining area and how this impacts access out onto the alfresco. You’ll want to ensure that people are able to move easily between the two, so you need to consider not only the size of your dining table, but also its shape (hello round table!).
2. Design a kitchen that works for you, not against you.
All memorable dinner parties start with a few hiccups and hurried, last-minute preparation while the countdown is on for guests arriving.
While these might be inevitable, the design of your kitchen can be your biggest ally during these drama-filled moments. Whether it’s a butler’s pantry to quickly hide piles of dirty dishes, or a wrap-around bench with a dedicated drink station so that guests can help themselves easily, your kitchen layout can help you in big ways, especially when you’re running behind schedule.
We’re always a fan of a big kitchen island. That way, guests can perch themselves with a glass of wine while you add those last-minute touches to the entree. If you’re worried about red wine stains on your Caesarstone benchtop, remember to register your warranty online and they’ll send you a complimentary cleaning kit that will help you tackle any dinner party disasters.
3. Styling matters, but not in the way you might think!
Last but not least, is styling. You don’t always have to go all out, less is often more. It’s always tempting to put your new (often expensive) rug under the dining table to elevate the space and create a focal point in your open plan living.
But truth be told, this can cause more dramas than it’s worth. With chair legs snagging, red wine spilling and food flying, you’ll spend half the night on edge, rather than sitting back and enjoying the company of your friends and family. Which is what a dinner party is for, right?
or
Ready to figure out your next move?
Fill in your details and our friendly team will give you a call back.
Simonds acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.