7 Ways to Make Your Living Room Sociable
Do these things to create a room for socializing, whether for family film nights or full-on entertaining
Jo Simmons
December 5, 2023
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Living rooms can sometimes be overlooked now that so much of our at-home socializing takes place around a table in an open-plan kitchen space, but nothing beats being able to sit comfortably with friends and family, to talk, enjoy a drink or watch a movie.
Comfort is key to creating a relaxed, sociable living space, so concentrate on getting the style and position of the seating right, then build up from there, adding fun touches, handy side tables and just the right lighting.
Comfort is key to creating a relaxed, sociable living space, so concentrate on getting the style and position of the seating right, then build up from there, adding fun touches, handy side tables and just the right lighting.
1. Provide Different Types of Seating
If sociable means entertaining friends and family of all ages, work in more than one seating type. While squishy sofas may suit those who want to kick off their shoes and snuggle down, older visitors may prefer the support of an upright chair. Children may prefer floor cushions or stools.
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If sociable means entertaining friends and family of all ages, work in more than one seating type. While squishy sofas may suit those who want to kick off their shoes and snuggle down, older visitors may prefer the support of an upright chair. Children may prefer floor cushions or stools.
Find an interior designer near you
2. Light a Fire
Humans have gathered around fires for millennia, to eat, talk, warm up and feel safe. Lighting one in your living room produces the same sense of sociability and comfort.
25 Living Rooms With Roaring Fireplaces
Humans have gathered around fires for millennia, to eat, talk, warm up and feel safe. Lighting one in your living room produces the same sense of sociability and comfort.
25 Living Rooms With Roaring Fireplaces
3. Face Each Other
Sofas that face each other, rather than a TV, promote conversation. Make sure they’re positioned close enough together that you and your guest aren’t shouting at each other across the divide.
Shop for living room furniture on Houzz
Sofas that face each other, rather than a TV, promote conversation. Make sure they’re positioned close enough together that you and your guest aren’t shouting at each other across the divide.
Shop for living room furniture on Houzz
Just because you’re squeezing in two sofas doesn’t mean you need to scrimp on size. In this room, two sizable couches are positioned opposite each other with a pair of armchairs completing the seating arrangement.
Your Essential Sofa Buying Guide
Your Essential Sofa Buying Guide
4. Provide Several Surfaces
Tables on which you can pop a mug, glass or bowl of snacks are essential to a sociable living space.
Pros Reveal 10 Features That Elevate a Living Room
Tables on which you can pop a mug, glass or bowl of snacks are essential to a sociable living space.
Pros Reveal 10 Features That Elevate a Living Room
5. Consider a Corner Sofa
Nothing says sociable like a corner couch. This flexible, space-efficient form of seating works particularly well for big families with modest living rooms. It provides a large expanse of comfy seating, which encourages teens to lounge and toddlers to get cozy.
To make this type of seating even more functional, consider a coffee table that can doubles as a footstool. The extra surface will provide even more opportunities for everyone to stretch out.
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
Nothing says sociable like a corner couch. This flexible, space-efficient form of seating works particularly well for big families with modest living rooms. It provides a large expanse of comfy seating, which encourages teens to lounge and toddlers to get cozy.
To make this type of seating even more functional, consider a coffee table that can doubles as a footstool. The extra surface will provide even more opportunities for everyone to stretch out.
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
6. Get the Lighting Right
A sociable living room needs lighting that creates a warm atmosphere, but without being too dim. You want to be able to see your guests, after all. Weave in a flexible mix of lamps and ceiling lights to create a soft, layered look.
How to Light Your Living Room
A sociable living room needs lighting that creates a warm atmosphere, but without being too dim. You want to be able to see your guests, after all. Weave in a flexible mix of lamps and ceiling lights to create a soft, layered look.
How to Light Your Living Room
7. Install Sliding Doors
In this home, Nick Taylor of IMBY3 Architecture & Design designed sliding barn doors between the kitchen and living space. When closed, the living room feels cozy and intimate. …
15 Ways to Create Separation in an Open Floor Plan
In this home, Nick Taylor of IMBY3 Architecture & Design designed sliding barn doors between the kitchen and living space. When closed, the living room feels cozy and intimate. …
15 Ways to Create Separation in an Open Floor Plan
… When the doors are open, the living room flows into the kitchen, making it part of a larger, flexible and super-sociable space.
Tell us: Do you have any tips for creating a sociable living space? Share them in the Comments.
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The first tip I always see is do not put the tv over the fireplace. All of these living room designs places the tv over the fireplace.
Do not place a TV in the living room. Especially if you have children. It attracts their clutter items (toys, games, etc) and can distract guests when you're trying to have conversation.
For Kellie,
For years, I stood firm that there would be no tv over our fireplace. We hired a decorator who thought that would be the logical place, over the fireplace. Truly, it was the center focal point. My husband and I each have swivel rockers with high backs. We love our furniture arrangement with the television above the fireplace so much that we just duplicated that look in our new house. Our new tv is a Frame, so we don’t have a blank screen when it’s off. Try it. You may like it.