10 Practical Living Room Ideas to Make Hospitality Natural {with Lots of Littles}

As homemakers, you know that a functional home is ideal for sanity and ease of basic living. Have you ever viewed your home’s layout as intentional for furthering God’s Kingdom? Call me crazy, but I’m starting to see everything in my life as a possibility to share Christ . . . even down to how I decorate or arrange my home.

 

Let me explain how I view hospitality {sharing Christ through our homes} with these 8 practical living room ideas to make hospitality natural {even with lots of littles}.

1. Lots of Seating

I know our mismatched couches may be a turn off to some but we purposely have giant couches {and they happen to be different styles and colors because one was free and one was cheap ;)}. Allowing people to spread out encourages an open door to more guests. We also chose couches that were comfy. The brown couch will eat you alive, in a good way. I’m short and I know a lot of shorter people complain they can’t find furniture that allows their feet to touch the ground. I say embrace it. This couch is deep enough to curl up in and get snuggly. The emptiness of the floor space allows for lots of little to gather in the same room to scatter toys, play or board game, or lounge to watch a movie.

2. Diaper Station

Having diapering supplies easily accessible in the living room allows me to change the baby without having to leave good conversation. You know, sometimes you hold off on going to the restroom because you know you might either miss or end the conversation. Don’t get me wrong, I may sneak behind the couch if I feel guest might be eeked out but sometime, “doing life” together; the good, bad, and gross, bonds people. lol

3. Toy Basket

Having toys in the living room allows kids to be quickly entertained while adults hanging out. Our older children keep their toys in the play/school room right off the dining room but baby toys are stored in the living room so I can keep a closer eye on her. Again, this allows me to entertain the baby without leaving the room. You’ll also notice in the picture above, I have a tacky pack’n’play shoved in the space between the living room and dining room. Life is life. I need those tools to practically live with lots of littles in my home; for their safety and my sanity 😉 Sometimes you just have to work with it. Your home needs to

work well

more than

look nice

.

4. Tables

In our home, we

live 

in every inch of it. For us, that means not having overly fancy furniture you can’t eat around or set cups on without a coaster. Having lots of topical spaces allow for space for food, drink, and things to naturally have a place to sit. I attempt to keep them clear of decoration so they have as much free space as possible for things that will naturally collect when you have company. Having somewhere to set things makes hanging out more comfortable and inviting. Holding a plate, drink, or other item on your lap often can make an evening feel very uncomfortable and temporary so it leads to guests leaving faster.

5. Throw Pillows

Pillows that are made to be “thrown” give fun accent decoration and let people live in your home. Snuggling with a pillow in your lap can relieve anxiety when you’re in a conversation for the first time but a pillow tossed on the ground can also turn floor space into more seating/lounging space.

6. Blankets

Simple small blankets can have the same effect as throw pillows, anxiety relief and comfort. We intentionally keep our home cooler year round. It’s always easier for someone to put more on than it is for them to take some off. Plus, when your toddler gets sleepy, wrap him up, lay him down on a pillow, and wa’la. He feels like he’s still part of the fun and will likely pass out right there in the middle of the fun and you’re not shutting down the hospitality for an early bed time.

7. Remote Caddy

You know with lots of littles, things get lost. We’ve trained our kids to chunk things. Everything has a place but much of the time that means a general area or a basket to make life easier yet still organized. The turquoise tray on the yellow table is where we throw TV, DVD, and fan remotes. If your evening consists of enjoying a show, sporting event, or video game, it’s all readily available. This tray also collects small things found on the floor, that the baby doesn’t need to eat, quickly, so that I can put them where they actually go later. Things inside this tray seem organized even if they’re not so much. 😉

8. Extension Cord

This one is kinda random but helpful. We don’t have outlets in the middle of our room like some {few} homes do but I like to float our furniture. This means, if anything needs to be plugged in, there are cords across pathways. I did this for a long time across our “entryway” but now that we’ve spun the room, I can hide a single cord behind the couch that attached to a power strip. I placed this right inside the curve of the couch. This allows us to plug in laptops, cell phone chargers, or even lamps in the seating area. It’s important to be able to keep an eye on electrical items when there are lots of littles in a home.

9. Shoe Basket/Coat Rack

Have a designated place for your family to throw coats, bags, and all. those. shoes! is important. Important to be able to find those items to run out the door to play with the neighbors OR for guests to chunk their items so they don’t get lost in the fun.

10. Entertainment Storage

I know this may be repetitive, but organizing or having a designated place for these kind of items adds to the natural outflow of hospitably. Wanna grab that book you’ve been telling a friend about, need a quick kids’ movie to hold the kids’ attention until it’s time to go, or have a game to break the ice? This way, you’ll know exactly where to find them quickly so your hospitality isn’t forced.

 I hope these ideas help you rethink you’re living space. I challenge you to avoid being discouraged by the size or style of your home but focus more on the practicality, usefulness, and warmth of the space you want to open to your neighbors, friends, and family. Being intentional can make all the difference.