Let's talk entertaining spaces; because if there's one thing I love more than designing beautiful homes, it's filling them with friends, laughter, and maybe one too many bottles of chilled white wine!

With summer just around the corner (hello patio season), how to create spaces that really work for gatherings is always top of mind. Whether you're planning formal dinner parties or casual Sunday brunches, the right design decisions can make hosting so much more enjoyable for both you and your guests.

Let's chat about my favourite ways to design for entertaining!

Flow Is Everything

I always tell my clients that the magic of entertaining happens when spaces feel connected yet purposeful. Here's what I mean:

Maximize kitchen and living room flow. You absolutely need to prioritize square footage in these key areas and keep them open to each other. In so many of my client projects, we've arranged furniture to create clear sight lines between the kitchen work area and living space. I'm all about strategic furniture placement that doesn't block views or pathways. At a recent project, we positioned the sofa perpendicular to the kitchen instead of creating a back-to-kitchen barrier, and honestly? Total game-changer. The homeowner can be prepping in the kitchen while still being part of the conversation happening on the couch.

Design a long buffet-friendly surface. Trust me on this one, an oversized island or extended counter will become command central during parties. At the cottage, my family gathers around our 10-foot island for everything from casual weeknight dinners to holiday feasts. It's where the appetizers live, where people set their drinks, and where everyone inevitably ends up chatting!

Image 1: Two Fold Interiors, Image 2: My family cottage

Let's Talk Seating (More Is More)

If there's one hill I'm willing to die on, it's that you can never have too many seating options when you entertain regularly:

Include lots of layered seating. I'm obsessed with mixing bar stools, lounge chairs, low-profile benches, and ottomans that pull double-duty. Start with cocktails on the patio, move to the dining table for dinner, then grab an ottoman to create a cozy circle for dessert in the living room. Flexibility is key!

I also love creating little conversation nooks—two chairs angled toward each other with a small table between them practically begs people to sit down with their drinks and catch up.

Kitchen Design That Works For Parties

After 10+ years of designing (and countless parties hosted), here's what I know makes a kitchen entertainment-friendly:

Add a separate bar or beverage area. Please, please keep your drink station away from your cooking zone! This is such a game-changer for entertaining flow. When you've got a designated spot for drinks, even something as simple as a stylish bar cart or credenza set up with essentials, guests can help themselves without everyone hovering around the fridge while you're trying to get dinner in the oven.

Incorporate open shelving or glass cabinets for glassware. Nothing makes guests feel more comfortable than knowing exactly where to find that wine glass or coffee mug. I often recommend open shelves to display the glassware, and I swear it encourages guests to make themselves at home. (Pro tip: keep everyday glasses on lower shelves for easy access.)

Position the sink or stove to face guests. This might seem like a small detail, but facing a wall while cooking when you have a houseful? Not for me. I love a kitchen with the cooktop on the island facing outward. It's these little things that make hosting more enjoyable.

The Details Nobody Thinks About (But Should!)

These are the finishing touches that truly elevate the entertaining experience:

Create a memorable powder room. Ok this is your chance to go BOLD! Some of my favourite client projects feature bold wallpaper in the mainfloor powder room, and these always spark conversations with guests. Make this tiny space an experience - it's the one room almost every visitor will use.

Add a drop zone for coats and bags. We all love a coat bed, to be honest it makes me so nostalgic, but there's other ways to create a drop zone for coats and bags. I always recommend carving out a little entry area with beautiful hooks and a narrow bench, even in modest-sized homes. Worth. Every. Inch.

Consider integrated sound and lighting controls. Think dimmable lights indoors, patio lighting, and speakers all throughout the main living space.

Project Grenview and Project Vance by Warm Welcome Design

My Entertaining Space Philosophy

Here's what I've learned from both designing for clients and hosting gatherings at my own place: your entertaining spaces should look amazing in photos but function even better in real life.

The true test isn't how your home looks empty, it's how it feels when filled with people you love. Can everyone see each other? Is conversation natural? Can people help themselves without creating bottlenecks? These are the questions I obsess over in every design.

I'd absolutely LOVE to hear about your entertaining space wins or challenges! Drop me a comment below or a DM on Instagram; helping people create homes that welcome is literally my favorite thing in the world.

Until next time. Cheers to summer gatherings in spaces we love!

Shayla