space planning for festive entertaining

December 7, 2011

By Usheda Akbar-Shanks

The holidays are just around the corner, and for many this is the time for celebrating and entertaining. Whether your entertaining is formal, casual or just hanging out together, preparation is essential.

What’s wrong with my living room?
The first step is to stand back and assess your entertaining space, which is usually the main floor of your house. The kitchen/cooking area, dining and sitting areas need to be coordinated and functional. Are you going to cook while the guests are there and have them help out? Or are you having a formal dinner, perhaps catered? No matter what your personal style and budget, good interior space planning goes beyond materialism. It is preliminary to professional interior design. Why is it that some homes have such an inviting and special feel, while others leave you exasperated? When I walk into a house, I usually scan the ‘horizon’ and assess from a designer’s perspective right away. Though I reserve my judgement, the impression is already made. Keep first impressions in mind when planning for festive entertaining! I have an old friend whose home is always inviting and beautifully put together. Even when she rented a house, her place exuded good taste and felt positively welcoming. When I think about this more, I realize that careful seating and socializing areas were paramount to the feel of her place. A strategically placed antique Chinese table, gilded wall sconces and a centrally located skylight above the couches all added to the charm.

Pinpoint decorating flaws
Irrespective of the material cost of your interior decor, the ambiance it creates is most important. Choose your accessories very carefully. Does your living room exude friendliness and comfort? A great idea is to get a few friends to evaluate each other’s spaces. Exchanging this dialogue will open your eyes to what others are thinking when they come over! If you know there is room for improvement, then preparation is important. If your personal space does not feel like a sanctuary from the world outside, then read on. Could it be that your furniture needs to be re-arranged for entertaining? It’s always a good idea to have proper space planning as a lifestyle option, rather than scrambling to make things work at the last minute. A trained eye is all you need to pinpoint the decorating ‘flaws.’ A good working drawing of your room is essential to proper space planning. Anybody can paint a bright feature wall or toss a few flashy cushions, but the essence of a room stems from its layout. A perfect layout (for your particular room), coupled with proportionate furniture pieces, plus uplifting aesthetic features can tie a room together well.

Ask yourself the following questions:
›› Are you happy with your space’s aesthetic features?
›› Is your furniture size/arrangement adequate for your space and family needs?
›› Do you have enough clearance allowances?
›› Is there room to simplify your space?
›› Can you easily change things around later?
›› How easy is it to maintain?

Space planning as art and science
Interior design and space planning is an art form as well as a science. The exact measurements can simplify your choices, as well as curb any ‘dysfunctional’ decorating tendencies. Some of us will stay with the tried and true. We take comfort in old ways, but this stagnation can breed negative energy. The Chinese call this energy Chi. Changing the orientation of furniture can change the energy flow of your house. Just as a Kung Fu master controls his/her energy and movements to effect an exacting blow to his/her opponent, an interior designer can similarly shift and change the feel of a room by furniture placement. Aesthetics and outward appearance is one thing, but the connectedness and flow of a house is very important. Notice how some rooms just feel right and people gravitate to this room instinctively. Is it the combination of furniture placement, the shape of the room, the orientation of a focal window or a fireplace? It is actually a combination of many elements of design, a merging of the material as well as the mystical elements. The mystical elements are very important during religious celebrations whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid or Diwali. Higher spirituality essentially merges with aesthetics to create harmony and balance.

Shape shifting
Is your entertaining room L-shaped, rectangular, square, triangular or something in between? Have seating across from each other to facilitate easy conversation. Assign a focal point to the space. Is it your fireplace, a window or the coffee table? Make sure that you leave enough space and physical distance between furniture. Always arrange things from the perspective of the doors and entryways. Is there a clean flow between the front door and the back entrance? How far do the guests have to manoeuvre to get from the couch to the entertaining island? Clear away small obstructions when entertaining. Too much ‘stuff’ can hamper the enjoyment by guests bumping into things and, heaven forbid, knocking things over. It is best to accessorize above the floor, for example ambient lighting above the floor level. Another trick is to have ornaments and artwork placed at higher levels, on the wall or on the fireplace mantel. Presenting your space for holiday entertaining will result in less stress for the hosts and more enjoyment for the guests.

Usheda Akbar-Shanks
Usheda Akbar-Shanks is a freelance writer and designer in Alberta.  She writes regularly for Home Décor and Renovations magazine in Edmonton. Usheda has a B.A. in social sciences from the University of Calgary.
E-mail ushanks@shaw.ca

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