By Rebecca Lenz, owner of Lenz Designs
Ready or not, the holidays are upon us. As you conjure images of steaming mugs of hot chocolate and warm winter fires, it is also time to give thought to your home. Whether you are considering a new house or ways to improve your existing home, it is important to plan so your guests are comfortable and you have plenty of room for all of that holiday baking.
Here are 3 important tips to remember as you design your next space with the holidays in mind:
1. Warm and Cozy
Bigger does not always mean better. In fact, extra-large rooms can often feel cold and uninviting. Have you ever noticed that when you go to a gathering in someone’s home, no one ventures into formal spaces like the living and dining rooms, but rather everyone congregates in the kitchen? That’s because we are instinctively drawn to the warmth a kitchen provides. It is better to have smaller spaces with large windows and lots of natural light, centered around family activities, and include details like well-crafted moldings and built-ins.
2. Open it Up
The kitchen is no longer the place where just meals are prepared, it is the heart of the home. Opening up walls to create multifunctional spaces suits our more modern, casual lifestyle as our families grow and change. An open kitchen with a large island allows you to interact with your guests as you prepare meals as well as provide extra seating. With all the comings and goings in the kitchen, make sure you allow enough room for wide walkways. Just as spaces that are too large can be uninviting, so too can ones that are cramped.
3. Be Flexible
The most well-designed spaces are ones that can accommodate a large party, a small intimate gathering, or just two people. Be sure to create multiple seating arrangements that cater to different purposes like TV watching, board games, and conversations. Include a combination of armchairs and couches and be sure to have extra seating like ottomans or benches that can be pulled out as needed.