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In today’s urban setting, most professionals are required to entertain frequently and while the social requirements often merge with personal spaces, many people are uncomfortable entertaining at home because they feel they are not equipped to do that. While catering is always an option for large gatherings, you may want to manage more yourself for quiet dinners and cocktails for colleagues and associates.

To entertain at home means a lot more than just organising a good meal. Here are some ideas that may help you turn the next dinner party into something people will remember

The first thing you have to cater for is appropriate seating. Make sure the placement of sofas and other furniture allow for people to move around and connect with as many people as they like. Keeping them flexible often means it is less of a strain on you as a host.

Keep nest of tables handy for snacks and for people to place their drinks somewhere. Coffee tables and end tables alone do not always suffice. Creating a small area where the snacks could be placed and well within reach and line of sight for everyone is generally a good idea.

A good bar is essential if you entertain frequently. Apart from stocking up on the required alcohol, you could also check if you have the necessary glasses, stirrers, napkins and other accessories. Keeping a few chairs near the bar is also useful for those who never stray too far from it. Making sure you have a proper bar also means that you do not have to lay out drinks on a table which makes it look more like a college get together than a formal party. The style factor on this one thing is something almost everyone notices. Having a good wine rack, preferable with a decent collection of wine as well, is another thumbs up!!

If your dining seating cannot cater for all your guests, then place the table in a way that allows everyone to help themselves to their dinner, and keep the seating separate, but do ensure there is a nice display in the centre of the table and candles/flowers would not be amiss either. Using an interesting runner would work well if you have coordinating serviettes and napkins. It goes without saying that the food has to be good, but you could also perhaps focus on the ‘display’ of the food as well. Think about colours and create a setting that is pleasing to the eye.

In fact if you work on lamps to set soft accent lighting and do not use any wall lights the entire ambiance would change. Use candles and flowers to soften the effect even further.

Another place your guests are likely to check out is the powder room. Get some nice flowers and candles for that as well. A good set of hand towels, some nice bath accessories and above all an interesting décor in the powder room itself works wonders.

If you have a lawn or access to any open area, then create a seating there as well, complete with lighting and accents. Most likely, that is where the smokers will drift after a while and it helps to create the ambiance that lets them feel comfortable and relaxed.

While music plays a huge role in defining the ambiance you should place the speakers in such a way that you create spaces where people can just talk and another space where the wild ones can shake their booty. Putting one in the face of the other generally means no one really has a good time. And keep the dance area and the bar FAR apart.

These basic tips should help you throw a party at the drop of a hat, with relative ease and still create an indelible impression in the minds of your guests.

Article Source: http://interiorspaces.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/entertaining-at-home/