The Number One Styling Tip All Great Hosts Use When Throwing a Party, No Matter the Size

As you get ready to host at your place this holiday season, now is the time to figure out the ideal living room layout that will keep your guests engaged and comfortable all evening long. Here, three hosting experts speak to the best way to maximize your living room layout when hosting, and they also provide plenty of other useful tips that will ensure that your gathering runs as smoothly as possible—all the while remaining super stylish and most importantly, fun.

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The Best Way to Maximize Your Living Room Layout When Hosting

Experts agree that the best way to maximize your living room layout when hosting is to keep conversation top of mind when arranging your seating.

“You want to make sure the furniture layouts are conducive to people gathering and chatting while taking into consideration the size of your event,” says Purvi Padia, the founder of the tabletop company House of REVELRY.

HomeGoods Featured Finder Jenny Reimold also prioritizes conversation when hosting.

“I’ve learned that breaking the room into smaller conversation areas works far better than relying on one large seating setup,” she says. “Guests naturally settle into these little pockets, and it keeps the energy flowing without anyone feeling crowded.”

Keep in mind, though, that you don’t need to fill your space with traditional chairs galore before a party. As Reimold points out, there are many other ways to accommodate guests, citing ottomans, poufs, and small accent stools as some of her go-tos when she needs extra seating.

“They can be pulled in or tucked away depending on the headcount,” she says.

Dana Small, the founder of Dana Small Designs, echoes this sentiment and also relies on ottomans and poufs often in her entertaining.

What Makes a Great Layout for Party Hosting?

Keep Pathways Clear

While Reimold understands the importance of offering enough seating, she is also strategic about keeping pathways clear in her living room. This way, guests don’t feel as though they’re stuck in one spot the entire night or experience discomfort as they wander to make themselves a plate.

“No one wants to shimmy behind a chair or detour around a bulky coffee table just to get to the kitchen,” she says.

Be Mindful of Where You Place the Bar

No gathering is complete without an assortment of beverages. That said, being mindful about where you place your bar area can go a long way.

Padia appreciates when the bar is across from the entryway to the living room, as this helps to minimize crowds.

“Guests are encouraged to experience the space on their way to get a cocktail,” she says.

Keep Speakers as Tucked Away as Possible

Music is another key component of any party, but guests don’t want to be dodging loud speakers all night in order to converse. Padia recommends paying close attention to where yours are located to ensure the comfort of all.

Clear Your Surfaces

While a well-styled coffee table is pretty on a day to day basis, it can be more beneficial during a party to leave that area open.

Small advises keeping “only the minimum decor” out on your coffee table or console. This way, guests have somewhere to set down plates and glasses as needed—or you can use these surfaces to display the food you’re serving, if you’re not leaving it in the kitchen. 

4 More Styling Tips That Make a Major Difference When Hosting

• Incorporate clear focal moments. Padia loves seeing these when she attends a get together. “Think a gorgeous floral arrangement, an over the top chocolate or champagne, a decadent table setting or some element of soft statement lighting,” she says. “They also often times can be a conversation starter which is always a perk at a gathering.”
• Create an area for kids to gather. If you host family-friendly gatherings often, keeping kiddos top of mind will go a long way and ensure that parents and young ones alike enjoy their party experience. Reimold likes to create an area just for children, whether that means setting up a craft table or cookie decorating station. “It helps keep the flow smooth and prevents the main living area from feeling chaotic,” she says.
• DIY a bar station. If you don’t normally have a bar station set up in your living room, don’t feel as though you need to head out and purchase a rolling cart or table for the occasion. You can easily repurpose the furniture you already own to play this role. “Turn an armoire into a charming bar space, filling it with glasses and trays of wine or whatever you are serving,” Small says. “Don’t get hung up on the things or space you don’t have.” She will often use her foyer table for this purpose.
• Offer grab and go bites. Make it easy for guests to pick up a few refreshments and easily return to their seats by getting creative with your serving setup. For example, Small will often place an assortment of crudités in Mason jars. Her guests can then “grab, find a seat, and stay for a while,” she says.