In Britain, we like to socialise. There’s no getting away from it. We love to chat with our friends and family, whether it’s in the day time or during the evenings. While the place to get together used to be bars and eateries, today most of us prefer to head home to our home comforts – why is this? 

 

Reports have shown that in 2001 just over half of the UK’s adults would prefer friends come over to their house to socialise rather than head to a pub or restaurant. Fast forward to 2017 and this figure had increased substantially to 75%. But, why is it that we prefer entertaining at home? I myself, love having friends come over – it makes the evening far more intimate and relaxed. 

Cost

 

For me, this is an important one. Bringing the party to our doorstep can dramatically reduce our expenses, and when you’re adulting and living on a small budget this is key. The average cost of a three-course dinner in the UK was £28.59 in 2017 – excluding any drinks or gratuity which will, of course, increase your final bill. By keeping the entertainment in your own home you’re able to stock up your fridge and freezers with your favourite dishes and drinks at a fraction of that cost. It makes sense when you think about it – doesn’t it? 

 

Convenience

 

I always feel far more comfortable having a party at my house or heading to a friend’s house for one, as not only is it more convinient, it also reduces the stress. It can be difficult to organise a get-together and that’s where home parties come in handy. If you have little ones, you don’t have to worry about whether they’ll be allowed in – or have the hassle of arranging a babysitter. By organising house gatherings, you can also alternate who hosts the occasion which will once again lower costs too. 

 

Personal praise

 

Gaining the plaudits from our peers can really boost our ego too. A good party is sure to hold you in high esteem within your social circle. When it comes to hosting, everyone wants to be the hostess with the mostest, right? However, knowing how to achieve that isn’t always an easy task. 

 

So, what can we do to make sure our homes are ideal to host such an event?  

Add a barbecue space

 

I am a huge BBQ fan, so for me this is an absolute must-have. This is something which we all want in our homes. Visit any supermarket when the sun is shining and you’ll notice empty shelves where sausages, buns and beers are supposed to be. The summer months and lighter late nights provide the perfect chance to make the most of our outdoor space. Instead of simply buying a barbecue, why not build a built-in one instead? These look absolutely amazing and are well worth the extra cost. 

 

Create a seating area

 

What’s a garden without a relaxing seating area? If you’re going to play hostess, then you need to ensure that you have a comfortable and well-designed seating area that you and your friends can relax and unwind on.

 

Some may head straight for a beer garden when the sun comes out, but for others their home garden is where it’s at. We may be a nation that loves our lawns, but a seated area is a great way to provide a comfortable area for our guests to mingle. Why not check out our range of composite and timber decking boards  at Arbordeck – perfect for a low-maintenance option.

Get a hot tub

 

Yes, that’s correct. One of the UK’s current favourite choices is the hot tub. Despite our weather being anything but steady, hot tubs are becoming a firm favourite for all-year-round entertaining. Sales in the first four months in Newcastle were 600% higher than in the entirety of 2017. Prices can vastly vary, but the idea of relaxing in your own personal garden spa is one that has great appeal.

Create a home bar

 

A garden bar is another idea which is becoming increasingly more sought after in the UK. Whether these are professionally built huts or something using recycled products is up to your personal preference and budget.

 

If you are tight on space, you can always buy optics for in your kitchen so when you pour those drinks, you do so in a quirky manner. After all, showing off our gadget is something we all enjoy doing.

 

Purchase a dining table

 

As we all know, the UK’s weather doesn’t always play ball, which means guests must head indoors. A nice dining table can provide the perfect spot for your guests to congregate. It doesn’t matter if it’s a ‘Come Dine with Me’-style party, or just to place your snacks on, a dining table could be a great purchase.

 

So, there you have it. As home entertaining continues to become even more popular, make sure you prepare your space accordingly. If you are looking for more inspiration on how to use your space, take a look at our ‘Get Inspired’ section. Hopefully, the tips and ideas above will help you to create the most amazing space.