Designing Sociable Spaces
, by Ruth Wilbur, 1 min reading time
Designing sociable spaces
In a time where most of us are tied to digital devices and the lines are increasingly blurred between work and home, a shift is underway as we become more proactive in taking care of our health, how we recharge and check in with each other. Here we dive into designing spaces that encourage conversations, cosy spots to sink into with family and friends.
1. Zone your home
The idea of arranging furniture to a focal point makes sense whether it’s the telly, coffee table or beautiful view. Having a central spot can create a cosy, relaxed space to curl up around certainly helps create a natural space for conversation. To help create a focal point at home, especially where they might not be a feature nearby, we’d recommend starting with a rug to unify an area and create a “zone”. wherever you choose your spot to be, we say go heavy on the ‘cosy’ adding texture, cushions, soft throws or sheepskins really help make an indulgent spot to sit that’s hard to resist.
2. Comfy Seats and Rests for Legs
If you really want someone to relax and open up, offer a place to put your feet up and provide snacks! Whether that’s a deep sofa that invites you to sink back and relax, a chaise sofa that allows you to stretch out or a footstool that you can prop up tired legs and a glass of your favourite red…
3. Open plan or cosy
There’s a need for both merry mayhem and quiet corners in most houses, but clever design can serve both. We love the way that you can use furniture to serve both social hotspots and relaxed corners. High back sofas such as our Sunday collection provide a cocooning effect, perfect for quiet conversations and a peaceful area to escape in an open plan space. Corner sofas are the perfect way to create a “half wall” that separates a room into two areas. Similarly, furniture placed behind sofas can work well to create a “room within a room” - console tables or bookshelves work well in this fashion providing a handy spot for mugs of tea, remotes, gentle lighting and useful storage.
4. Face-to-face or modular options
There are so many cosy comfortable seating arrangements highly effective in creating a welcoming environment. The key is to facilitate face-to-face interaction. If you are limited on space, the use of a small sofa and a couple of accent chairs can do the job just as well as two large sofas. A footstool can be both functional and useful holding items or doubling up as a spare seat when tight for space. Modular sofas such as our Marnie also come into their own in this situation as you can create the layout you desire with the added bonus that the footstool measures the exact same height as the seat and it can be butted up to make an impromptu chaise for full on spilling the tea talk! These make the best pit sofa loungy dens as well as the ultimate cinema sofa escapes.
5. Spark a little joy
We always say, lighting sets the tone of the conversation - moody and romantic, warm and cosy - it’s your call! Lighting is often overlooked, but aside from the squish of your seats, we feel it’s the most important aspect in creating an inviting, relaxed spot. A well placed floor lamp or coffee table light provides a soft, homely glow to invite conversation.
6. Cues for conversation
We love the power of the unexpected. If you want to break the ice then share a little of your personality, humour, interests and taste in design. Sharing a little about what you like is a great way to give others a social cue and start a conversation. You’ll find plenty of our accessories include a little whimsy about them, ideal as conversation starters and designed to make you smile.
7. Bring in the green
Biophilic design or green spaces are big news this year. Bringing a little of the outdoors makes sense to us as nature always does it best. Plants add a fresh feel and naturally relaxed space. We love the way they really lift your mood and make you feel good, especially when they smell great too.
8. Just for two
We’re big fans of a couple of armchairs in the bedroom. A simple spot to relax on the weekend with a coffee and paper is heavenly. Share headlines and shocking tidbits from the stories you choose.
9. Hosting stations
For those that like entertaining, why not up your game with a designated spot for the drinks. This could be a luxury bar cabinet, or perhaps a statement art piece like our rider bar that doubles up for drinks storage. One thing’s for sure, pop that cork and watch everyone gravitate…
