Throwing a party is no easy task. There are many things to think about, from the food and drinks to the decorations and entertainment. If you’re looking to create a truly memorable party for your friends or family, don’t forget about the entertainment area! Here are nine essentials that every entertainment area needs before hosting a party.
Seating Areas
A good entertainment area needs to have comfortable seating for guests. Consider providing a variety of different seating options that allow people to relax or converse, such as couches and chairs around low tables in addition to bar stools at the countertop. Having a large feature table in the middle of the room can also be a great place for guests to gather.
When choosing furniture pieces, it’s also important that they’re made from durable materials, so you don’t have to worry about spills or stains ruining them during the party. Consider buying outdoor furniture if your entertainment area is outside, as it will hold up better against the weather conditions than indoor furniture would.
Quality Decorations
Decorations are a must for any entertainment area. They can help set the tone for your party, so be sure to choose decorations that match the theme or vibe you’re going for. For example, if it’s an elegant event, go with floral arrangements and candles around the room; if it’s more of a casual get-together among friends, consider hanging up some string lights.
When choosing decorations for your entertainment area, try not to go overboard with them, so it doesn’t look cluttered and make guests feel overwhelmed when they walk in. For example, suppose you have too many different colors throughout one space. In that case, that can become visually distracting rather than pleasing, whereas using just a few select pieces in a complementary color scheme will help create a unified look.
Ideal Lighting
You should also make sure that your entertainment area has good lighting so guests can see one another and enjoy the festivities without straining their eyes too much in dimly lit areas. On the other hand, you don’t want your guests to feel like the sun is rising on them when they walk into your entertainment area, so consider using a combination of natural light with artificial lighting such as lamps or overhead fixtures to create an ideal ambiance for any occasion.
If possible, invest in dimmers that will allow you to control the brightness level depending on how much is needed at any given time throughout an event. This way, you won’t have to adjust your lighting too often during different times of day and use them for more intimate occasions when needed.
Bar Area
A bar area is a must for any entertainment area. It allows guests to easily mix and mingle while grabbing a drink, and it can also double as extra seating if needed. When setting up your bar area, make sure you have enough counter space for preparing drinks and storage space below or behind the countertop for bottles and other supplies.
If you don’t have a lot of space in your entertainment area, consider a mobile bar hire option with bar service that can easily be set up when needed. This will also come in handy if you’re hosting the party outdoors and need to set up the bar in a different location than where the seating is.
You should also make sure that you have plenty of ice on hand to keep drinks cold throughout the night. You can either buy bags of cubes or make your own in an ice maker.
When choosing what kind of glassware to use at your bar, consider crystal glassware for a more elegant look. All glassware must be cleaned to sparkle before any event.
Furthermore, the bar area can act as a feature area if you have an interesting wall or backdrop that you would like to show off. Try using a projector to display photos, videos, or any other type of media onto the wall for guests to enjoy.
Food Preparation Space
If you’re planning on serving food at your party, then you’ll need to make sure you have enough space to prepare it. This means having a designated area for cooking and a place to store food until it’s ready to be served.
When choosing an area for cooking, make sure there is ample counter space and storage space below or next to the cooking area for pots, pans, and other utensils. You should also consider having a stovetop, oven, and gas or fire grill to cook various foods. Keep in mind that hot griddles can be dangerous, so beware of the placement of your barbecue grill.
If you are not planning on providing catering yourself, consider contracting with a caterer. This will take the burden of food preparation off your shoulders and leave you more time to enjoy the party.
In terms of storage, make sure you have enough cabinets, shelves, or drawers to store all of your plates, utensils, and serving dishes. You can also use decorative baskets or boxes to store small items like napkins, straws, and toothpicks.
Consider adding a harvest table with light snacks and canapés for guests to enjoy as they mingle for larger events.
A Sound System
If music is not a priority for your event, then you may want to skip this one. However, if you plan to play some tunes during the party or host a live DJ set in your entertainment area, you must have a sound system in place.
There are many different speakers and audio systems available on the market, so it’s important to do your research and find one that is right for your needs. Make sure you have enough speakers to cover all of the desired seating areas, and if possible, use a system that can be controlled from a central location. This will allow you to easily adjust the sound level depending on how loud or quiet you want the party to be.
If you host regular events with a high focus on music, you could consider reaching out to an acoustic specialist who can help you create the perfect soundscape for your party. Not only are these soundscapes very effective in dealing with noise, but they can look pretty cool too. In addition, many soundscapes are used as architectural features, so do some research if this is something that you’re in for.
When choosing a sound system, always make sure that it is properly installed by a professional to avoid any accidents or damage to your equipment.
Comfort Items
These are the items you’d like to have in the areas where guests have fellowship. There’s no such thing as too much when it comes to comfort items.
You should consider things like small tables for placing drinks next to couches. Baskets with blankets can be ideal for when it gets chilly and comfortable floor cushions for when your guests want to sit on the ground.
The most important factor to consider when choosing comfort items is that they should be as comfortable as possible and easy for people to move around or arrange into different configurations.
You can also use decorative rugs and throws to add a splash of color into the entertainment area.
When choosing comfort items, think about what your guests will be most likely to use and place them in an area that is easily accessible.
A Fire Pit
If you’re having a party in your garden, then an outdoor fireplace is essential for keeping guests warm and cozy. There are many different types of fire pits available, and most can be used to cook food as well.
Always check that the fire pit you choose doesn’t exceed local fire codes for safety reasons. Most importantly, make sure that you have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of an emergency.
When hosting events outdoors, always prepare for the worst-case scenario and consider things like inclement weather and gusty winds.
If you’re not able to install a permanent fireplace in your entertainment area, consider renting one instead.
Fire pits can be used to heat up food during parties, roast marshmallows, or just create a cozy atmosphere. They provide an excellent focal point for social gatherings and are perfect additions when you want to host outdoor events at night time.
The Small Stuff
Remember the small additions that make a party great, like having toothpicks and widespread condiments for your event.
You can also prepare ice buckets and keep them full of chilled drinks, so guests don’t have to go far for refreshments.
When it comes to hosting parties, the small stuff is often overlooked, but if you put in some effort here, then it will be much appreciated by all those attending.
There are a few essential items that you’ll need to include in your entertainment area before hosting a party. By following these tips, you can be sure that your guests will have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
