Spending time with friends and family is one of the most important things you can do in life. Sure, there are careers to pursue and children to raise, and all the other elements of everyday life are important too. But at the end of the day, you’re more likely to fondly remember the fun times spent with loved ones, compared to time spent at work or other mundane activities.
Inviting your nearest and dearest over to indulge in some food, drink, laughter, and conversation is the best way to connect and enjoy each other’s company. However, what if your entertaining areas are in dire need of a glow-up? Lucky for you, in this helpful article, we’ll share six simple ways to upgrade your entertaining spaces this year. Read on to discover how.
Outdoor Heating Systems
Is your outdoor area too cold during the winter months to entertain outdoors? By investing in something like a portable gas heater, you can ensure that you can keep everyone comfortable and warm outside while you entertain.
There are a variety of outdoor heating solutions available, from portable to wall-mounted or even pergola ceiling-mounted. The solution you select will depend on your budget and preferences, and what is practical for your situation.
Remember never to use an outdoor gas heater inside; this is extremely dangerous and can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. In other words, always use outdoor gas heaters with care to avoid any unexpected issues or dangers.
While we’re on the topic of entertaining outdoor areas…
Ambient Lighting
A simple hack that can add a lovely splash of ambience to your outdoor entertaining space is investing in fairy and/or festoon lights. You can drape these around your yard – over tree limbs, woven into a trellis, around your pergola or gazebo and hung in other places too.
The soft lighting provided by these lights will transform your outdoor area into a magical, glowing wonderland and will dazzle your guests with luminescent brilliance.
If you’re concerned about the power bill from this lighting, did you know you can get solar-powered fairy and festoon lights? This way, you’re being environmentally conscious while also saving money on your electricity bill. The only downside here is that they may not charge fully on overcast days, but they will shine bright all night long if the sun is out during the day.
Indoor Entertaining – A Sound System
Everyone likes to listen to music – it’s a universal thing that unites people in a shared experience. Why else would concerts sell out so quickly?
If you’re entertaining indoors, you can upgrade your living room with a solid sound system. If you’re on a tight budget, you could opt for a soundbar that will do the job just as well.
That way, when you have your guests over, you can play killer playlists in the background or even offer them the opportunity to connect their devices to pick the tunes. The bonus to this tip is that you get to enjoy your sound system even when you’re not entertaining.
Comfortable Seating
If you’re planning on entertaining, it is worth investing in some comfortable seating for both inside and outside.
There’s no point inviting folks over to share food and drink if they have to endure sitting on old, worn out and uncomfortable chairs. You want your guests to sit comfortably while you all sip drinks and indulge in some tasty nibbles.
So, hit up those furniture stores and pick some great sets of seats. You might want to shop for seating for your living space, dining space and outdoor space. If you’re on a tight budget, tackle each room at a time and space out the purchases over the year.
It’s worth sitting on the seats you’re considering for at least twenty minutes to make sure they are genuinely comfortable. The store staff should be okay with this, as they want to make a sale.
Tasteful Decor and Art
Another way to upgrade your home for entertaining is to invest in some quality decor and art. This will serve to add splashes of colour and taste to your space, as well as creating conversation prompts.
You may want to visit a local gallery to support artists in your area, or you could opt for prints of classic or modern art if on a budget.
Don’t discount sculptures, and other decor elements, which can also serve to spruce up your indoor areas.
A New Dining Table
Is your dining table worn out, scratched and scuffed? If so, it may be time to upgrade to a new model.
The dining table is the centrepiece of your home, the place where you gather as a family and with your guests to enjoy a lovely meal and some refreshing beverages. By upgrading to a better one, you are making a statement – that you take pride in your home and your ability to entertain.
A Creative Entertaining Conclusion
Follow the above tips to upgrade your outdoor and indoor entertaining areas in 2022. Of course, there’s more you can do, but this will get you heading in the right direction. These tips will ensure that your home is where your guests will feel comfortable and have the time of their lives. Here’s a final tip – if your house guests are reluctant to leave, you’ve done a great job as a host.