Growing up, you probably had a friend that lived in what seemed to be the "best house ever." Maybe it was their in-ground pool or just that their parents always had the best snacks. Whatever the charm, that house was always bustling with action and plenty of good company.

Now, you own a home of your own. 

If you love to host, building a custom home gives you the unique opportunity to design spaces built to do so. If you’re a parent, whether your kids are young or old, you may love the idea of having a house your kids actually want to spend time in – and will invite their friends. 

But, if the whole neighbourhood shows up on your doorstep, you’re going to want to be able to keep everyone occupied and amused. 

Imagine the possibilities with the ideas below; from kids to teens to adults, these home customizations will keep everyone coming back for more.

A Warm Welcome

If you have a porch or verandah in front of your home, this is a great place to start. Not only do you want to decorate this area to be inviting – such as with a welcoming sign on your door and some lovely plants on either side – you’ll also want a feature that captures the interest of your guests immediately. 

You might add a porch swing where your teens can chat with their friends after school with a little privacy away from the rest of the home. Add some additional seating around an outdoor table, so even if you’re not in the mood to have guests inside your home, this can be a space to sit around and have a quick visit with the neighbours over coffee. 

Once your visitors do step inside, ensure your front entry has the "wow" factor!

Curb the Hunger

We all know it’s common courtesy to offer visitors in our home a beverage, usually as soon as they arrive. But if your guests are staying for longer periods of time, they may start to get a little peckish (this is especially true if your guests are a bunch of teenagers). 

If you have a bonus room or if you don’t intend to use your formal dining room, you can turn the space into something that resembles a real diner. Include built-in wrap-around booths that provide lots of comfortable seating for group gatherings. In the same area, consider adding a DIY beverage bar and a snack station. As a final touch, put up a sign that encourages guests to “help themselves” so you don’t become the waitress of your home diner.

Loft Lounge

Having people over doesn’t always have to be a big event. Sometimes, you and your company just want to kick back and relax, so it’s a good idea to have a place in your home to do just that! If you have a loft or flex space in your home, this is a perfect place to convert into a cozy hang out spot. 

Your design could include painting one wall with chalkboard paint, where kids can get creative or play a good old fashioned game of tic-tac-toe. Bookshelves filled with both books and board games will make the room perfect for rainy days and, of course, don’t forget to throw in some comfy bean bag chairs!

Take it Downstairs 

The basement is an area of the home that works well as an entertainment space, and all it really takes is a flat screen TV hooked up to a few media devices for hosting movie nights. Make it extra guest-friendly with one simple trick: place a bar with stools directly behind your couch. This offers additional seating at the right height to still see the screen clearly. If you want to be a little more creative and get your friends off the couch, consider including some games suitable for all ages such as billiards or a ping-pong table. 

Customize the Garage

Maybe your basement is being used for other purposes or you just want that pack of loud teenagers a little further away. You can customize a detached garage into the ultimate space for them to make their own. Insulate the walls and maybe even spring for heated flooring to make the space comfortable, and deck it out with entertainment like old arcade games. A bar and a dart board can quickly convert this space to a “dad den”, too. 

Take it Outside

The areas to gather don’t have to be limited to inside your home or garage, either. With a few special outdoor entertaining features, the outside of your home can be just as inviting and entertaining. For example, you might secure a basketball hoop to the exterior of your garage. A fire pit is another great idea to allow for comfortable get-togethers that carry on into the night. Enclose the area with curved stone seating and top with cushions to keep it cozy.

By incorporating any of these designs into your home, you should have no problem hosting for your own, or your children’s friends. The only problem you may have is getting them to leave! ;) 

Remember to set some boundaries, and you’ll delight in being the neighbourhood hang out spot, allowing those you love to enjoy your home as much as you do.

Photo credits: pizza party