Living in a home with the best party features can be a fantastic boon to your ability to entertain. All of a sudden, there’s a reason why everyone wants to go to your place.
But which features should you add? That’s the big question. When it comes to home additions, you have a lot of options, and not all of them are the same.
Fortunately, this post is here to help. We take a look at the top party-enhancing features you could add to your home to encourage guests to stay with you. Here’s everything you need to know:
A Mini-Makeover Guest Bathroom
One often-overlooked concept is a mini-makeover guest bathroom. Instead of providing basic facilities, you turn your bathroom into a quasi-salon that provides various services to anyone who decides to go in it.
For example, you could set up a nail painting station, equipped with the various items people need to paint their nails. You could also add a powder station or vanity for retouching makeup and for people to check their dresses.
Just make sure you keep the bathroom stocked with essentials and let your guests know that everything is there for their benefit. Having somewhere they can touch up and look their best gives them the confidence to enjoy the party.
A Games Room
Another idea is to add a games room to your home (or venue), giving people something to do other than talk to each other while holding drinks. You want to provide sufficient space for pool tables, board games and video games (depending on the type of people who come to your parties).
Games rooms are popular among people who want parties to have some sort of focus. If they know that they are going to your house to wine and dine, that’s okay, but many people also need entertainment or something to keep them occupied during the rumpus.
Games are also an excellent way for people to break the ice with each other. It’s a good way to introduce people and get some camaraderie going if things seem a little slow or the effect of the drink hasn’t hit yet.
A Bar Area
You might also want to engineer a bar area into your home to facilitate a party vibe. Having a bar, some stools, a drinks cabinet and a well-stocked fridge lets you whip up cocktails and other beverages guests want.
Once you install the bar area, that’s the main cost. After that, it’s an asset that works for you for years to come.
You can pilot the bar yourself, or you can hire a professional for the evening to make drinks for you. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that guests can order anything they want from the bar and that you have all the tools you need to make everything.
A Pool Area
Another excellent addition to a party house is a pool area. Like a games room, it can serve as a focal point and help keep everyone cool on hot summer evenings.
The Complete Backyard Pool Builders is a company that regularly instals pools at people’s homes. It says the options available to people today are more extensive than before.
“Just a few years ago, most people built basic pools in their backyards to cool off in the sun,” the firm says. “But things are changing considerably. We’re seeing them being made into sustainable outdoor living spaces attached to an outdoor kitchen, and complete with exotic fire features, decks and cabanas. It’s more of a social thing than it ever was in the past, all designed to give people that luxury feel.”
Pool areas are great for parties because they facilitate fun and games. People love lounging by the water, doing laps, or just playing games in the pool they can’t play at home.
“It’s mainly a lifestyle thing,” The Complete Backyard Pool Builders say about swimming pool installation. “Without it, people don’t feel their homes are complete. And they worry that they aren’t providing their guests with the proper facilities to enjoy themselves at parties.”
Plenty Of Seating
While it might sound basic, you also want to add plenty of seating to your home if you plan on using it as a party venue. People want to be able to sit down and enjoy their food and drink and avoid spending hours standing where all the blood flows to their legs.
Providing sufficient comfortable seating indoors is straightforward. Fold-out options and armchairs temporarily moved from storage are all excellent options.
If you are adding seating outside, consider rattan furniture with pillows suitable for outdoor use. These are nearly as soft and comfortable as their indoor equivalents and prevent guests’ bottoms from getting sore.
Generally, you’ll want two seats for every three guests. Some people will be moving around, while most will be sitting down and chatting.
Dance Floor Space
If you really want to push the boat out, you could also invest in a dance floor space. Providing room for people to let their hair down can be an excellent way to get things going.
The best dance floors are grippy and provide underfloor lighting. These are positively psychedelic when you combine them with disco or karaoke.
Many people put their dance floors under their pergolas or arbours. The cover helps to create an ambience in the space while making it feel special at the same time.
You can also put temporary dance floors in the middle of lawns. Just be careful to cover any cables and wires to prevent guests from tripping.
Pre-fabbed dance floors are often elevated. This provides them with a bit of bounce so guests can move more comfortably and show off their best moves.
An Outdoor Entertainment Area
You might also consider adding an outdoor entertainment area. These provide a more intimate setting for smaller parties with fewer guests.
The typical outdoor entertainment area has a patio, space for a BBQ, fire pits and a hot tub. It’s often a good accompaniment to a pool.
“Pools don’t have to be standalone,” The Complete Backyard Pool Builders say. “A lot of homeowners construct them next to additional features that help to complete the party experience. You can put a pool beside a hot tub, giving people options to warm up or cool down as they see fit. You can also get cooking beside the pool, allowing party-goers to remain in one place and get all their needs met.
A Sound System
Playing music on a conventional record player is okay, but you either have to turn it up to maximum volume to make it audible in every room. Therefore, setting up a home sound system is often a better prospect than trying to fudge it. The great thing about sound systems is that you can play the same music in every room at a reasonable volume.
When it comes to sound systems, you have two general options. The first is to use a conventional setup where you wire all the speakers throughout the rooms, connecting them in series. You might want to try this setup if you take music seriously the rest of the time and enjoy it playing throughout your home.
The second option is to use Bluetooth speakers. You can put these anywhere, including the garden, even if you don’t have sockets (since most units come with batteries).
Once you have a sound system set up, you’re ready to rock and roll. Guests will appreciate the quality of the music.
A Projector Screen
Projector screens are another amazing party-enhancing feature to add to your home. You can use these for all sorts of things, from providing information to displaying karaoke lyrics.
Projectors are also handy for decorations or themes. You can use them to display images or videos that suit your party’s vibe in a way that’s not possible with static options.
Projector screens are expensive. But once you have one, you can often use them for life. There are all sorts of creative ways to use them to wow your guests and encourage them to stay longer.
Route Lighting
If you’re hosting a party at night, you might also want to consider route lighting. These help to illuminate pathways and keep people away from dangerous areas.
“Using path illumination is an excellent idea for anyone who wants a party pool,” The Complete Backyard Pool Builders say. “Having that extra layer of safety, besides a fence, keeps people safe.”
Route lighting can also be helpful if you have a large property and you want to help guide people around, especially outdoors at night. Instead of putting up big ugly signs, you can use strip or series lighting to nudge them in the right direction, and keep them off lawn areas.
Series lighting that uses LEDs is among the least expensive to run.
So there you have it: some of the top party-enhancing features to add to your home. Which will you include on your property next time you throw a party?
