Well, you made it. It’s the last month of 2022. Thanksgiving is gone, and now you can bask in the quiet and calm that is the rest of the Holiday season. From here on out, it’s cozying up in a fluffy blanket next to the fire with a mug of hot cocoa, right? …SIKE. You’re just getting started and you know it.
Now we’re not saying that you have to pull your hair out by stressing for the final hoo-rah of the year. That’s the opposite of what we want for you. As a matter of fact, we here at Designer Furniture Gallery want to help you get as close to your personal Holiday nirvana as possible. We’ve already given you four easy steps to holiday-ify your dining room, but this time we’re here to guide you through what you can do to start living for your living space in the new year. Let’s get into it!
Is your living space ready to accomodate all the friends and family—and friends of the family who come to visit this time of year?
How’s Your Seating Situation?
Your living room is the center of your home. When you’re enjoying the solitude of your own company (with a fluffy blanket next to the fire with a mug of hot cocoa), you’re sitting on your couch. When you have a friend over gossiping about the latest celebrity scandals, you’re sitting on the couch. When your mother comes to visit and asks you why her phone isn’t working (it was on airplane mode), you’re sitting on the couch. Sensing a pattern here?
After years of binge-watching your favorite shows and spending time with your loved ones, the integrity of your seating can take a toll. Have you noticed the cushion on your spot starting to sag? Or maybe the lovely cream color has faded more to a musty gray? Depending on the state of your furniture and your willingness to clean and reupholster, it may be time for a refresh.
When looking for new living room seating, like a sectional sofa, accent chairs, even ottomans, there are three key factors to consider—especially when it comes to holiday entertaining. We call them the three S’s:
1. Space
Much like our advice for sprucing up your dining space, you’ll want to consider the amount of space you’re working with for your living area as well. Do you have a smaller living room? Consider a space-saving sofa. Do you have a smaller living room and still want a sectional? Then you’d love a sofa with an attached chaise! Or maybe you have a large great room - if that’s the case maybe it’s time to upgrade your double-sofa-situation to a large U-shaped sectional. The possibilities are endless! But no matter what size room you’re working with, if you are big into entertaining and are looking to update your home for your next holiday gathering, determining the space you have and what furniture would work best is a great first step.
2. Style
When upgrading any space, the last thing you want to do is have to update it again in the next five years. So, when deciding what furniture to house in your living space, you’ll want to look for a style that not only reflects who you are, but can be considered timeless. And, on top of that, is able to be the grounding element for all your seasonal decor. Consider a sofa, sectional, or accent seating in neutral tones. This way, any decor you already have at home can really enhance your space. The cohesion of the style, furniture, and decor in your space is sure to impress your guests.
3. Sustainability
The last thing you want to do after a holiday party is drive back to your local furniture store with your head hung low and the knowledge that your Uncle Kevin spilled red wine all over your new ottoman. Avoid that drive of shame by doing your research ahead of time. There are a myriad of materials that your living room furniture can come in, and generally the best option for entertaining is leather. That red wine that Uncle Kevin spilled? Just wipe it away. The fur from your cousin’s Jack Russell Terrier? Just grab a Swiffer and call it good. The crumbs from your baby niece snacking on a cracker? Not getting stuck in any fabric today. Plus, leather furniture is proven to last longer, so while the price tag may be a bit steeper, you can trust that it’ll last for years with the proper care.
After you’ve found the perfect new seating for your living space, you could consider yourself ready to go for your holiday gathering. Your guests (and you!) should have durable, comfortable and beautiful seating options at their disposal. But, if you want to take upgrading your living space a step further, it’s time to take a look at your storage.
Declutter your space in style with a storage cabinet to make more time to focus on the rest of of your party planning.
Storage Galore
Believe it or not, storage for your home can come in many different ways, shapes and forms. Yes, you can go and buy a plastic cabinet unit from your local Ikea, but while the function is there, the style is definitely lacking. You can do better! Impress your guests with a tidy, beautiful and organized living space.
The first and more obvious choice for storage in your living room are storage cabinets & chests. If you have an empty wall, this is the perfect spot to put a storage cabinet. Dress is up with a lamp, a plant, and personal touches. Take it a step further by adding a mirror above it! And boom, you have a beautiful, and functional, storage area.
Say you don’t have an empty space in your living room. That’s okay, too! One solution would be to replace your end or side tables. Look for side tables with drawers, shelves, or even a full cabinet door to store remotes, coasters and more. Happy with the end tables you have? Consider a sofa table! These can be placed behind your sofa for additional space as well. Plus, the inclusion of a sofa table behind your sofa can really elevate the style and functionality of your living space. And just like end tables, look for sofa tables with drawers for additional storage.
A new sofa table not your vibe? No problem! Because you have another storage option for your living space, and we like to think it’s a fun one. Ever heard of a lift-top coffee table? Not only do these coffee tables look great, they also provide a lot of extra storage that you wouldn’t otherwise have with a normal coffee table. Picture it - you’re giving your guests a tour of your home, walking them through the living room when you decide to show off your beautiful new coffee table and WHABAM. The table top comes up, and jaws drop. Talk about an entertainment factor.
And speaking of entertainment, have you considered the furniture or accent pieces you’ll need to entertain your guests? It might not be the most obvious question to ask yourself, but it is still important nonetheless. Don’t worry, we got your back.
Now that you've organized the big event, it's time to host! Keep your guests engaged and the good times going with the perfect entertainment.
Entertain for Days
Let us ask you this - how many board games and DVDs do you have in your basement? Isn’t it time to show your collection off to your guests this holiday season? What can you put in your home that will help you to not have to trudge up and down the stairs? What you’re looking for is an entertainment center.
Entertainment centers come in many different styles and sizes so that you can find the perfect size for your needs. Looking for something to show off more of your mementos? Maybe a console with a hutch is right for you. Don’t have a fireplace but really want one, especially for chilly nights with the fam? Consider a fireplace console. Whatever you choose, an entertainment center is perfect for housing your movie and game collections, all in one stylish and convenient place.
But say you’re looking for entertainment that is a little more wild and crazy. (Booze, we’re talking booze.) Then look no further than adding bar carts to your list of options to buy! Especially with the New Year right on our tails, liquor is going to be flowing quicker! Using a bar cart to display your nicest alcohol selections with gorgeous glassware will truly impress your guests. Plus, it’ll keep people out of the kitchen, giving you the space you need to prepare the hors d'oeuvres with ease.
And there you have it. Everything you need to turn your living space into the pinnacle of holiday entertainment. Go forth and conquer, and Happy Holidays!