I don’t know about you, but I love having guests to visit, whether it’s a grand affair celebrating a special occasion, or just a cosy night in with friends. There’s one thing I’ve noticed in recent years, though, and that’s that some interiors are far better suited to entertaining than others.

However, I’ve also discovered there are some simple pieces of furniture and other accessories you can invest in that’ll transform virtually any space into a lovely place for entertaining. It’s all about little tricks with lighting, how you lay out your furniture and how relaxed you make your guests feel.

Image source: notonthehighstreet.com

1)  Fairy lights
I thought I’d start with something small and simple. Now, fairy lights may be typically associated with Christmas, but they can actually be very effective for use in the evening at any time of year. For example, if you are having a few friends over for wine and a catch-up, a few fairy lights can help create a lovely cosy atmosphere. They can also be great for adding a little extra sparkle to birthdays and anniversaries.

Image source: moroccanbazaar.co.uk

2)  Moroccan lamps
If you have something more sophisticated in mind, though, I recommend buying a Moroccan-style floor lamp. I think these are absolutely perfect for creating a really sociable ambience; I often find ultra-modern looking lights seem to lack atmosphere, so something more decorative is perfect for me.

Moroccan lamps usually come in iron, brass or copper and are really ornate, so they’re fantastic if you’re looking for something a little unusual. If you’re planning quite a casual gathering, the lamps that sit directly on the floor are perfect. You can also get more traditional-style lamps on stands, however, which could be better when you have a lot of people visiting, since they are less likely to be knocked over.

Image source: Jonathan Adler

3)  Throws
As you have probably noticed, I consider creating a relaxed atmosphere to be one of the most important parts of making your home party-friendly. I think throws are fantastic accessories for this – especially if you pick out something ultra-soft in bold colours.
Not only do these make your furniture even more comfortable than normal, but they can also help to protect it in the event of little spills – there always seem to be some at a party! If you can, invest in several that coordinate with one other. This will to make sure the overall look is coherent rather than chaotic.

Image source: The nomadic sun

4)  Folding screens
Another fantastic accessory, a folding screen can be used in all sorts of ways. Firstly, if you are planning to entertain just a few people in quite a large room, a pretty partition like this is a wonderfully simple way to make the space more compact and cosy.

Secondly, it can also be a good means of organising your party. For instance, if you want to lay out a table of nibbles in advance, but would rather unveil them later in the evening, you can tuck them behind a screen like this, folding it away when it is time to eat.

Image source: sunset.com

5)  Unusual plants
My final tip is using flowers and other plants to create different looks. If you’re entertaining in the summer, for instance, you can fill the room with all kinds of fresh flowers.

This might not seem so appropriate – or easy! – when winter arrives, but I think this gives you an excellent opportunity to be more creative. Twisted willow looks particularly striking, and you can easily decorate it with all sorts of things, from little lights to miniature paper lanterns or jewelled baubles.