Must-have furniture that makes hosting easy
It’s nearly time for the best season of the year… Hosting season, of course! Because why go out-out, when you can show off your beautiful home, culinary prowess, and hosting skills all at once instead?!
To get you off to a head start - and ensure you retain your title of host with the most - we’ve got five furniture picks that genuinely make hosting at home easier than ever. From beds with hidden storage to genius uses for sideboards, hosting season is about to get a whole lot more stylish…
For the luxury hotelier: Ottoman bed frames
Do you love nothing better than the knowledge your guests are sleeping soundly between crisp, fresh sheets? Do you curate a bed linen collection worthy of the finest hotels? Are you obsessed with watching those guest bathroom restock TikToks? Well, then we have the perfect piece for your guest room - the ottoman bed.
Equipped with gas-powered lifts that help to raise the mattress - and some even operated by remote control - ottoman beds allow you easy access to storage space that spans the entire underneath of your mattress. Think of the possibilities! Out-of-season duvets, extra pillows, spare sets of linen, or simply somewhere to stash all those decorative pillows when someone actually wants to sleep in the bed. Whether it’s for your guests or your master bedroom, an ottoman bed makes a seriously clever choice, particularly in spaces that lack the option for built-in storage or large wardrobes.
For the cocktail artiste: Sideboards
Any true cocktail-mixing expert will know - a solid drinks collection takes up a lot of space. From the cocktail shakers and strainers to just the right glass that shows off your favourite tipple; trying to find a way to organise that’s as elegant as your serve can be a tough ask.
Enter the sideboard - crisp, clean, and with spacious enclosed storage, it’s a cocktail artiste’s very best friend. Not only does it have space to store everything from martini glasses to muddlers, the spacious flat top makes the ideal place to serve from - leaving you precious space on the dining table. Although… we all know your drinks are the main event!
But truly the greatest benefit of a sideboard - over something like a bar cart - is the enclosed storage space. Not only are you saving yourself from dusting all that glassware (we mean really - who has the time?) but with all those bottles and cocktail paraphernalia tucked away when not needed, there’s nothing to distract from the overall aesthetic you’re striving for in your space.
Plus, no matter your thing, there’s absolutely a sideboard that matches. From crisp Scandinavian style to luxury marble - dark stained woods to glamorous brass - there are more shape, size and material options in sideboards than you could imagine!
For the cosy conversationalist: U-shaped sofas
Inspired by our friends across the pond, the u-shaped sofa is really having a bit of a moment right now! These spacious, inviting sofas consist of a double-ended chaise arrangement with a third seat in the middle, offering that wrap-around feel without the need for a cavernous living space.
And why are they so popular? Well, this cosy, conversational setup is ideal for casual drinks, catching up on gossip, or simply spending quality time with loved ones. And to make these sofas even more versatile, many have the option of a matching footstool that fits perfectly in between the two chaise seats - ideal for going from daytime to movie night, or even doubling up as a guest bed for sleepovers!
Considering all the benefits of u-shaped sofas, here at DFS we’re not surprised they’ve exploded in popularity here in the UK. And of course we’ve been busy adding lots of them to our range to ensure everyone can style their u shaped sofa thing!
For the culinary wizard: Extending dining tables
True home chefs know a dinner party for two can be equally as impressive (and just as much work) as one for eight. But why choose one or the other? An extending dining table lets you create the perfect setup for both.
Just like a small table is completely unsuitable for a large crowd - a huge dining table doesn’t offer that cosy, intimate feel that makes small gatherings so special. So don’t compromise - treat yourself to an extending dining table, which adapts to both in a flash. Whether you need that extra space for guests - or simply to arrange that delicious selection of dishes you’ve created in the kitchen - an extending table is there to underpin your menu. And when every last morsel has been enjoyed? It folds right back down to save you on floor space.
Looking for more seating options? Well, dining chairs are obviously a no-brainer - but for smaller spaces and cosy gatherings, have you considered adding a dining bench or two? Without arms requiring extra elbow room, these really pack a punch, adding extra seats in a surprisingly small space, without compromising on guests’ comfort.
For the tablescape aficionado: Shelving with enclosed cupboards
There’s something so satisfying about a beautiful tablescape - and if you’re one of those with an extensive, curated serving crockery and glassware collection, we have to say, we salute you. But we bet you sometimes struggle with where to stash it all when not in use! Well - never fear. Because we have the answer!
It’s open shelving - but hear us out - with enclosed cupboards. These gorgeous pieces offer the best of both worlds, with space for you to display your most gorgeous pieces, but closed-away cupboards to stash the rest of your collection. Because while those napkins and gravy boats look truly gorgeous on the table, they don’t look quite so great collecting dust between dinner parties!
Alba bookshelf
Viggo bookshelf
Cosma bookshelf
More hosting advice from DFS
Looking for more tips for the hosting season? From our comprehensive hosting guide, to research-backed tips to delighting your guests - and even a quiz to find out which type of host you are - there’s plenty to sink your teeth into right here at DFS.
