2020 started a new decade – and a new way of life for so many people. We were barely three months into the new year when COVID-19 or coronavirus sent many people into quarantine, isolation, and working from home. Yes, it is a whole new world, and today, we find that staying in is the new going out.
For most of the year, many people have stopped dining out, socializing with friends, and doing things we all took for granted. Movies, clubs, bars, live theatre, and vacations are all in the past. While many things, including restaurants and bars, have reopened, COVID numbers are also spiking again.
That leads us to reexamine how to create fun times in our lives without going out.
In this blog, we look at the many ways to make staying in fun. You do not have to put your health at risk to enjoy special evenings and occasions with family and friends.
Setting the Ambiance for Gatherings at Home
Now that we are spending so much of our free time at home, it is time to look at ways to make the home more suitable for enjoyment. Large social gatherings are out; intimate entertaining is in. Setting the right ambiance can take your “event” to the next level. Whether you plan a quiet night for two, or a dinner party for six, here are some suggestions for enhancing your environment.
One of the primary things to consider is social distancing. If your living room only has one couch, that could put people in close contact with one another. Consider adding a few chairs around the room that provide a safe distance while maintaining elegance and comfort. Some of my favorite recommendations from the HK Collection are below.
In the past, the kitchen was “the” gathering place in the home. Now, to help maintain a safe social distance, consider dressing up your kitchen counter or bar area with new seating, such as the barstools below. That way, your guests can still be nearby – but not too close.
Of course, lighting can enhance the feel of a room, providing for romantic evenings when you are staying in. Conversely, ambient lighting can also liven up the room when you want to have a few friends over for a fun evening.
Never underestimate the effect of candles. With so many unique and beautiful candle holders available today, you can cut down on your energy bill and create a warm glow throughout your home.
Since staying is the new going, now may also be the time to turn an extra room into your private screening room. With so many first-run movies going straight to streaming services, creating the cozy media room makes perfect sense.
Taking the Gathering Outdoors
The CDC recommends taking all gatherings and social events outdoors. Backyard entertaining is the way to go in 2020 and into 2021. With coronavirus numbers on the rise, South Floridians are the lucky ones – we have perfect weather year-round for outdoor entertaining.
One of the benefits of more people staying in has been for nature. While not all wildlife may be welcome at your next social gathering (no one wants an alligator to visit), you may want to consider putting in a birdbath to bring some of our local winged friends to your home.
Now is the time to look at your backyard furnishings and perhaps update them for the coming year. Add in a new outdoor rug, some tealight holders to light up the evenings, or choose some decorative lanterns for a modern look.
Staying safe at home does not mean boring. Whether you have a large backyard or a small patio, we can enhance the look and feel to make entertaining safely a breeze.
Staying In, Staying Safe, and Having Fun!
Yes, staying in is the new going out, and we are all adjusting to our current “reality.” That does not mean we cannot have fun at the same time. We do not have to fear the pandemic; we just need to navigate these new waters carefully.
Here are some tips for hosting perfect social gatherings where everyone invited can feel safe:
- Ask guests to continue to wear face masks when not actively eating or drinking
- Position seating 6 feet apart
- Identify one person to be the bartender to limit the physical contact on bottles, glasses, etc.
- Plate items as individual portions and set out on the table or counter – this eliminates the need for people to touch serving utensils (boxed meals or individual trays are fun ideas)
- Place disposable hand towels in the bathroom in place of cloth towels
- Keep hand sanitizer bottles in convenient locations
- Set up a hand-washing station in your backyard
- Post a sign in your bathroom asking guests to close the lid before flushing, wash hands for twenty seconds, and use the disposable towels to dry hands, and then discard in the trashcan
- Play games that naturally encourage social distancing, such as badminton, croquet, and hula hoop contests
- Host a movie night under the stars with cushions for adults and “cardboard box cars” for kids to sit in – hand out individual snack bags of popcorn and candy
If the celebration is for a birthday, have a separate cupcake for the candle, and have the birthday person blow it out away from everyone else. That way, no one has concerns over the spread of germs on the actual cake.
One of the safest social situations to enjoy is the “backyard picnic,” where everyone brings their own food, beverages, and blankets to spread on the lawn. That limits any risk of spreading germs.
As you can see, staying in can be fun with some preplanning. HK Interiors can help you enhance your home’s ambiance for socializing safely. Call us for more information, and all your interior design needs at 954-401-8542.