Throwing a Super Bowl party? 12 ways to score extra seating
On StubHub, a ticket for a suite-level, sideline seat at Super Bowl LI in Houston had been priced well into the six figures.
Fortunately, scoring seating for a viewing party in the comfort of your own home only requires a game plan.
Depending on the size and nature of the celebration, finding seating for guests can mean getting creative with what you already own, adding new key pieces, getting crafty with DIY, or going the rental route.
Check out the following 12 ideas that tackle the issue of seating for the big game on Sunday, Feb. 5:
Screen strategy
Showing the game on more than one screen will allow the party to flow between spaces, provide additional seating areas and maximize square footage. Take the party outside if weather permits.
Scout your stuff
Look beyond the living room for chairs, benches, ottomans, bean bags, patio furniture and even stylish step stools that can be re-appropriated to the viewing areas. Bonus points: with advanced planning the pieces you pull out will coordinate with your home’s overall décor when you need them.
Benched
Tucking a bench beneath an entryway console, behind the couch, or at the foot of a bed is a clever way to store additional seating. For parties, place where needed.
Ballgame
Firmer and more structured than a bean bag, a “pouf” is a ball-shaped floor pillow that offers seating with style. When not in party mode, decoratively position the poufs beneath a coffee table or console, or to accessorize a bedroom or den.
Style cubed
Available in a range of fabrics, colors and styles, cube-shaped stools can be used for additional seating or as small end tables. Group together to create a larger surface, or place where needed.
Floor cushions
For casual crowds, thickly padded floor cushions provide comfort and bohemian charm. Stack and store when not in use.
Cool stools
The MVP of seating, stools are functional, flexible and easy to move around. Everyday uses abound (Think: plant stand, side table, garden seating or table). And some designs fold, stack or nest for storage.
Ottoman empire
Replace the coffee table with an upholstered ottoman for multipurpose flexibility: seating when you need it, a table when you don’t.
Folding chairs
Not the ugly kind. Director’s chairs fold for easy storage, and sidewalk café chairs can be stacked or hung on a wall via small bicycle hooks (trés cute) when not in use.
Transform a folding chair
Yes, the ugly kind. Blogger Jenn Menteer of My Fabuless Life blog, has easy-to-follow directions for reupholstering the padded backs and seats of folding chairs and spray painting the metal frames. (For instruction go to: MyFabulessLife.com/foldingchairs.) Touchdown!
DIY crate seating
A popular idea with the blogging community, milk-crate seating offers the same creative affordability for parties as it does for classrooms. The project: use a sturdy plastic milk crate, like those found at the Container Store, cover a wooden board with thick foam and upholstery fabric (in team colors if desired!) and attach it to the opening. For directions, go to LiteracyLovesCompany.com and enter “Classroom DIY: Crate Seats” in the search bar.
Cheater version: simply flip the crates bottom-up and add chair cushions. Stack and store for future gatherings.
Rental route
Think beyond the warming tray. Many party-rental services also offer home furnishings such as upholstered ottomans, long benches, decorative stools, cubes and even sofas and armchairs to help fill in the gaps.
For more musings on all things home design and lifestyle follow me on Twitter @ThsAmericanHome.
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