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The modern world is all good and well, but it’s not perfect. Some things were better in the past or maybe just a little bit easier. Gathering together, visiting one another, and having true genuine contact is one of those things that came a bit more naturally before we had the technology we have today. In the 1950s, people would gather in their homes not to watch television — but to talk. There was nothing else to do, and while that might sound a little boring, it meant that people spent more time in conversation and were less lonely overall.
You can’t force people to talk and spend time together. But you can make it more likely. I think about this a lot as my kids get older! Let’s talk about a few tips for creating a social home that encourages everyone to put down their phones and chat!
This can be especially helpful when you need to have difficult conversations. If you adopted or fostered your kids, for example, you could end up answering questions like ‘what is foster care?’ and more. Let’s look at how you can create a space for these conversations!
Have a Set Dining Area to Foster Conversation
The dining room used to be an important part of the family home. Now, all too often it serves as an afterthought. For many years, I used my formal dining room as a catch-all room. I have recently changed it back into a formal dining room and I love the way it feels to sit down to dinner with no other distractions! Dinner is the perfect opportunity for family members to talk about their days. We all know this! But sometimes it can be difficult to get everyone together without the distraction of screens. I definitely recommend putting together a standalone dining area – zero screens – just conversation! Bonus points if you invite some friends over to have a tea party!
Living Room Furniture Layout
The position of your living room furniture can totally make or break the conversation! Make sure to arrange your seating so that your furniture faces towards — or at least not away — from each other. If your current seating doesn’t do the job, then there are furniture shops that have comfortable sofas in all shapes and sizes, allowing you to find the ones that make sense for your living room. We all spend so much time looking at screens, so spending less time watching TV and more time talking can only be good for us.
Summertime Fun
Now that it’s summer, all we want to do is be outside. All too often, that typically means that our family members are off on their own warm-weather adventures. You can ensure that your loved ones can get their dose of summer fun and have plenty of conversations by putting together a fun and inviting outdoor living space to invite them to. You really only need some outdoor seating (and maybe a grill, so no one goes hungry), and you’ll all be able to enjoy time outside together. Perfect!
Breakfast Bars
Finally, consider adding a breakfast bar to your kitchen, if you have the space. They’re good for multiple reasons, including increasing the amount of usable space in the kitchen. Plus, they’re fantastic for those relaxed morning conversations. It’s less formal than a dining table, and that’s the whole point. With a breakfast bar, everyone can have coffee/tea and slowly plan the day ahead together! I love it!
