The festive period is a time filled with socialising and soirees. But, when you invite a few too many guests, there is nothing worse than that awkward situation of grabbing the camping chair out of the garage, or the flimsy plastic garden chair from the back of the shed.
From a sofa-bed to house that couple who travelled from afar to see you, to cushty dining table chairs to treat your dinner guests like royalty - apt seating is a must to ensure your festive gatherings run smoothly. So, to give you some inspiration, the expert interior designers at the UK’s leading online design-led furniture brand, Swoon, reveal their top five types of social seating, guaranteed to create a soiree space guests will be delighted to be invited to.
Whether you’re throwing a lavish dinner party or an intimate cocktail and canapé affair - you want guests to feel comfortable, relaxed and, well, a little bit jealous of your generous hosting facilities. No matter the size of your home, selecting the right seating options will create a chic and welcoming social space that’s the foundation for a party to remember (or not!) for the right reasons.
Sofa beds for bad heads
Guests who don’t want to leave after a soiree is the ultimate compliment, meaning your hosting skills, design choices, and fun antics make your loved ones want to remain in your company. But, there’s nothing worse than waking up halfway through the night with a sore shoulder and an even worse head - as you question last night’s conversations in an uncomfortable air mattress.
If you’re short on space and don’t have the means for a guest bedroom, a sofa bed is the ultimate space saving comfort piece. Merging the comfort of a sofa, and the respite of a bed, sofa beds save on both space and money – and ensure your guests have a cosy place to sleep without splurging on a guest bedroom setup.
Sam Baldry, Head of Design at Swoon, comments:
“Multifunctionality doesn’t have to be boring. The right sofa bed needs to be comfortable in both of its forms, and also aesthetically stylish.”
Dining chairs for comfortable eating
When you’ve channelled your inner chef, chosen your wine pairings, and popped to that artisan shop you visit just once a year for “a cheese board to remember”, you want guests to focus on your efforts and have fun around the table, settling into a comfortable dining chair.
Giving your guests a chair that’s reminiscent of sitting on the floor in school assemblies is a sure way of them finding a reason to move around at the time when you want them present and engrossed in lively conversation. If this sounds like your current set up, then it’s time to step up to the plate and update your dining space.
Dining benches to reduce clutter
If you’re short on space and the prospect of several chairs fills you with dread, then a bench is an ideal alternative. A design feature in itself, a classy bench offers a more interactive and intimate dining experience, bringing guests together without formal place settings.
As the party transitions back to the living room after dessert, you can always bring along your bench for clutter free additional seating.
Corner sofas to maximise space
A corner sofa may initially appear large and overbearing, but the right choice, shape and styling can create a sophisticated and effective use of space in a smaller home. Offering more seating space than a traditional sofa, a corner sofa encourages a social atmosphere as guests can face each other, rather than being forced into staring at the same spot on the wall.
The additional space of a corner sofa delivers extreme comfort, inviting guests to lay out in any way they choose. You might even find your guests dosing off on your sumptuously soft investment, especially if they bag that illustrious corner seat!
If a corner sofa is on your wish-list, don’t forget throw cushions, blankets, and a chic side table to create the ultimate cosy area to spread out and relax after a large (but delicious) roast dinner.
Footstools to dance the night away
As the night turns to sunrise, and you’ve decided to turn the vintage port into cocktails, having the space to continue the fun and dance the night away becomes a necessity. Utilising footstools that are easy to move as additional seating not only creates a dancefloor space easily, but also encourages socialising earlier in the evening - as guests choose where they sit, make up for lost time, and mingle with loved ones.
So, with five ingenious seating ideas from real interior experts at your fingertips, will you be stepping out and updating your social seating this soiree season? Put your designer shoes on, it’s time to go shopping!
