Your home is not only a place to live, but also a place to gather with friends. Whether you want to host a dinner party, an informal gathering, or a game day viewing party, there are a few simple things you can do to prepare your living space. Here are our tips for transforming any space into a great place to entertain.

1. Get creative with seating

No matter what kind of event you’re hosting, guests will likely want to sit down at some point. A simple solution to having enough seating is to keep a large set of folding chairs in storage. However, there are more elegant ways to increase seating in your home.

Ottomans can be especially useful when for entertaining. They can easily be set up as seating in a kitchen, living room, bedroom, or bathroom, and because ottomans don’t have armrests, more people can fit onto them than a couch or armchair. When you don’t have guests over, an ottoman can be used for storage or as a footrest.

Even if you don’t use ottomans, a couch or sectional that doesn't have armrests (or one that has flat armrests on which people can) maximizes seating space. Even better, a futon that doubles as a bed can fold out to provide more space - and a place to sleep if your gathering becomes a sleepover.

2. Use the outdoors

If you have a yard, rooftop, or balcony, you have extra space for guests. You can maximize this space by investing in outdoor furniture, which will encourage guests to go outside.

If you have a large outdoor space, you can set it up for entertaining at an affordable price with a simple patio seating set. For a little extra something, a fire pit provides warmth in cooler months and keeps bugs away in the summer.

3. Set the mood

Space can be transformed for any event with the right accents. Lighting, decorations, and scents can easily create an ambiance for any gathering.

For soft lighting, set up candles around tables and counters. Candles are especially fitting for dinner parties or formal gatherings. A scented candle can also be a nice touch, especially for themed parties. In the winter, light one with a scent of evergreens or cranberry, and in the spring, a floral scent.

Wall art can make your space feel less bare, especially in living rooms and hallways. You could invest in a rustic clock, or more temporary wall stickers.

Mirrors can make a small space feel larger. Hanging a mirror in a hallway or entryway also gives guests a place to check their hair and makeup without using the bathroom.

4. Turn on the tunes

The fastest way to create a social mood is with music. If you want to invest in a music system, a Bluetooth surround sound system allows you to use your phone to turn on and change music in your home. For a cheaper alternative, you can buy smaller Bluetooth portable speakers or speakers that directly hook up to a phone or iPod.

Your house should always be a space you feel proud to show off. With just a few easy changes, your space can be entertainment-ready all the time!