How To Create a Home That’s Made for Entertaining

Entertaining at home is a time-honoured tradition, but modern Australian living has taken things up a notch. From open, flowing layouts to butlers’ pantries and built-in bars, there’s a laundry list of possible features for keen entertainers.

For homebuyers, having space to host guests can even be a dealbreaker when choosing where to live – with layouts that prioritise connection, flow and flexibility becoming increasingly sought after. It’s an approach reflected across contemporary builds, including those by Boutique Homes, where entertaining is considered from the ground up.

According to celebrated interior stylist Steve Cordony, finding the right home is the first step – but how you style it is where personality and transformation shine. “Number one is always knowing how you like to function in the space,” he explains.

The layout, architectural details, and overall flow of the home set the stage, while styling allows you to infuse your own personality. “A home should tell a story about who lives there. That’s the fun of style,” he says.

Functionality first

Before focusing on decor, Cordony says the first consideration is function.

Is your entertaining style relaxed or refined? How many people do you expect to host? How often? These questions shape the foundational elements of your space, such as furnishings, layout, colour and materials.

Practicality is key. “When thinking about function, I think about choosing pieces of furniture that can be easily moved and manipulated. So maybe there’s an armchair which can be moved from one corner to the next, to allow more flow for when you have parties,” he says.

“Thinking about things like extendable tables, where you can go from hosting eight people to hosting 14 people, thinking about durability of materials. Making sure that we’re using lots of performance fabrics, which are going to wear better, in case you do throw parties on the regular.

“There’s definitely all those practical elements to design and to styling. Making sure that people can move through the space really well.”

Go with the flow

Open-plan layouts and seamless indoor-outdoor connections are a hallmark of Australian entertaining. Terraces, patios and pool areas should be treated as extensions of the living space.

“I think about a side table, the styling elements that are going on top of it. I’m thinking about cushions. Do they have a beautiful trim, do they have piping? What’s the colour, pattern, texture? I think about umbrellas, a little bar on the side. All of the style and objects and elements that we use inside, I think about that for the outside.

“The Toorak floorplan is a great example of an entertainer’s home. It has a classic entertaining area at the back – all the doors slide open, with a great view to the patio outside”

For more intimate gatherings, cosy interior spaces can also provide a classic backdrop – like the lounge or retreat areas found across Boutique Homes’ experienced home designs range.

“Entertaining comes in many forms – it doesn’t have to be a cocktail party for 50 people, or a sit-down dinner for 12. It could be you entertaining a couple of friends on the couch with a chic cocktail.”

Tell a sensory story

Entertaining is about crafting an experience. Colour schemes, textures, lighting, scents, and sounds all work together to set the mood. Cordony likens it to curating a concept, whether it’s a Sunday family dinner or a formal event.

“Scent is number one because they’ll remember that when they leave the door. Music is super important, whether a great playlist or some kind of entertainment. It’s creating a vibe, a moment.

“Lighting is also a huge one. Maybe it’s dimmable, maybe there’s lots of candles or a disco ball. Whatever it is, when people are walking in, it feels much more magical.”

Mix timeless and statement pieces

A strong base of classic pieces allows flexibility when entertaining. Neutral dinnerware, quality cutlery, and versatile furniture can be complemented with statement pieces for visual interest.

Cordony collects Italian and Belgian linen, classic glassware from Wedgwood and Waterford, and ceramics from local stores. “Everything you have in your home could be able to be moved around and used for different ideas and themes,” he says. “It’s all about the story that you’re trying to tell.”

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Boutique Homes. Boutique Homes is part of the ABN Group, leaders in property, construction and finance. They have crafted a collection of home designs ideal for entertaining – including the Grange, Portofino, Barcelona and Toorak – to provide a well-considered canvas for welcoming people in. To learn more about Boutique Homes’ range of home designs for entertaining, visit boutiquehomes.com.au.