Written by Lisa Proffitt | 16th August 2019
British summer and barbecue weather don’t always go hand in hand and if you’re afraid your party will be a washout as a result of threatened thunderstorms and unseasonable gales, you need a home designed with indoor entertaining in mind. So what are the top features in luxury homes for sale that are guaranteed to make any party go with a swing?
Set an indulgent and glamorous tone to any gathering by serving a cocktail from your own home bar. Many of Michael Graham’s homes for sale have a whole room devoted to a bespoke bar which wouldn’t be out of place in a boutique hotel. With unusual and beautiful veneers and hand crafted joinery, they are a far cry from the home bars of the 1970s and a must have interior design accessory.
A decade ago it was mainly rich and famous homeowners in exclusive London postcodes who could afford to create what were described as ‘iceberg homes’. These houses had their basements excavated to create an extra bedroom, gym or even a garage for the Ferrari. Now it’s not unusual for homeowners countrywide to build basement extensions which can potentially add 15-20% to the value of their home. Add soundproofing and you’ve got the ideal weather-proof party venue.
Entertaining today isn’t generally a formal sit down dinner for twenty people, so you don’t need a large dining space. Instead you want lots of seating areas with plenty of breakout space for mingling in smaller groups. Pocket doors offer the ultimate in home layout flexibility making it easy to quickly transition from practical to party. These hidden sliding doors can be opened to allow guests to mingle and flow through your home, or closed to create intimacy and hide the mess in the kitchen at the same time.
Open-plan kitchens and living spaces are all very well, but for a party you need counter tops and surfaces clean and clear for drinks glasses and plates of canapes. Built in storage makes it easy to keep everyday paraphernalia tucked away out of sight behind closed doors.
Lighting that flatters guests and creates the right ambience is crucial. Supermodel Kate Moss’s former London party pad is currently available to rent for around £4,000 a week and a neon-lit party area in the jungle themed living room was perfectly in keeping with her flamboyant style. Luckily for most of us, you don’t have to go that far to give your entertainment space the wow-factor. Hidden, non-direct lighting creates a subtler mood and having all the lights on dimmers means you can change the atmosphere as the event goes on.
Not all parties have to be high-octane. Sometimes there’s nothing more appealing than getting together with friends to take in a movie. Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds has comfy chairs with side tables for your G&T/cup of tea and if you can recreate that relaxed vibe at home in your own cinema room, whether you’re watching a blockbuster or binging on a box set, you’ll never be short of guests.
If you’re looking to move, there is a perfect house for sale ready and waiting to play host to all those future birthday, christening, wedding or anniversary parties you may have planned.
We’d love to help you find it. Michael Graham properties for sale and let are featured across all of our social media channels, on Facebook, twitter and Instagram, and the full selection of Michael Graham homes can be viewed by clicking the Property Search button now. Or pick up the phone and talk to us – all local office contact numbers are on the website. We’re here to help.