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"Everyone stresses about having company, but by making just a few preparations and using everyday furnishings in new and different ways, the perfect party can take place in even the smallest of living spaces," says furniture expert Penny Eudy. "Whether having the family over for dinner, hosting a cocktail hour or inviting the neighborhood over for game night, you'll appreciate smart furnishings that can adapt from everyday décor to the changing needs of guests in a snap."
Create Conversational Clusters
The typical living room is set up for comfortable viewing of the family television. To entertain guests when the television isn't the center of attention, encourage them to mingle with conversational configurations, suggests Eudy. Sectionals such as the Inspired Living by La-Z-Boy "Benjamin" feature modular pieces finished on all sides that can be arranged and rearranged, to offer dozens of options and endless opportunities for conversation.
Long bench ottomans and small chairs should come out from the wall on special occasions to form intimate groupings for friendly conversation. "Combine ottomans and small chairs with larger furnishings to create groupings throughout a space, with the furniture facing each other," says Eudy. "These conversational groupings will encourage guests to sit and relax, instead of flocking to the kitchen, as we're always so tempted to do."
Maintain a Friendly Flow
While creating extra seating for guests is important, maintaining open space for impromptu gatherings, dancing and simply milling about also is vital to the life of a party. "When rearranging furniture for a gathering, consider the flow of traffic through the room and where crowds will congregate," recommends Eudy. "Sizeable walkways between furnishings and clear paths to buffets, bars and seating areas promote friendly mingling and make guests feel more at home."
Avoid Clutter Chaos
Organizing your everyday clutter and cleaning house for company can cause quite a stir after all is said and done. Keep clutter out of sight, but close-at-hand, with storage ottomans. Not only do ottomans such as the La-Z-Boy "Cory" hide away everyday messes, they offer even more seating for your guests and can be moved throughout the evening to spur conversation and create table top space for board games and the occasional euchre match.
Adjust the Atmosphere
Ambience is key to any gathering. Create the mood, whether fun and funky or calm and serene, with adjustable lighting.Well-placed table lamps and floor lamps make light quantity and quality easy to control. Strategically placed candles can add a special glow to a room. Put lighting on side tables that will also lend themselves as resting places for beverages and plates of hors d'oeuvres.
"By making just a few easy adjustments to your space and keeping a party's theme and menu simple, anyone can become the 'hostess with the mostest,' no matter how often your home becomes a hot spot on the social scene," adds Eudy.
You can learn more online at www.lazboy.com. Encourage guests to mingle with conversational configurations and sectionals that feature modular pieces that can be rearranged.
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