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Amy Heffernan is a London based freelance Interior Stylist and Style Editor at Large for Elle Decoration, with a monthly feature curating contemporary interior decoration inspiration.
Heffernan’s career in interior styling spans twenty years, during which she has worked on numerous projects, including photoshoots, exhibitions, advertising and collaborations with designers and brands.
As a stylist, Heffernan is known for her ability to create spaces that feel full of character, often combining luxurious materials with understated pieces to create modern, inviting environments.
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ENTERTAINING SPACES AT HOME
IDEAS FOR STYLISH AND INVITING HOMES
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I greatly enjoy entertaining at home and I’m always keen to accept invitations to friends’ houses so I have a chance to sneak a look at their interiors. These days, our homes are for living, working, and playing, so they need to cater to both our personal enjoyment and requirements as well as those that come with hosting friends and family throughout the year, especially during the Silly Season.
Colour is important in zoning our homes to create quiet snugs and extraordinary entertaining spaces. Whether it’s a cosy gathering over cocktails, a festive dinner or a more informal weekend brunch, the colours we choose can influence mood, energy and flow. It’s not just about aesthetics; the right palette can bring warmth, openness and a sense of celebration into a space, subtly encouraging relaxation and conversation.
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Colour has an immense power to influence emotions and set the tone, creating a mood for the whole home. It can bring people together, encourage relaxation, or energise a room with a burst of excitement. While we decorate interiors for every part of our daily lives when choosing colours for entertaining spaces in the home, it is important to consider how each hue might affect everyone’s experience, for both residents and guests.
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Warm and inviting palettes encourage relaxed gatherings.
For spaces where you want to cultivate an atmosphere of comfort and ease, opt for warmer tones that bring about a sense of intimacy. New neutrals, from soft taupe's and earthy pinks, can create a welcoming space. These colours also have the ability to make a room feel cosy yet modern, especially matched with natural textured furnishings like mohair throws and slubby linens, to elevate the look. They are ideal in living rooms or kitchens where friends and family gather for extended periods.
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Cool tones for a calm, sophisticated slumber
For a contemporary, arguably more formal feel, cooler tones from soft white to pale denim blues and sage greens promote calmness and relaxation. These colours are perfect for a space where you want friends and family to unwind and feel at ease for comfortable stays, such as a guest bedroom. Layering crisp white Egyptian cotton bed linens with soft white walls can offer a serene getaway for guests. Sage green, for an injection of colour, has a natural, earthy quality to give any room a grounded, harmonious feel, ideal for dining spaces and informal entertaining areas where you want to foster connection and conversation. To further enhance cool tones, consider introducing stone surfaces and natural wood finishes while keeping dust-catching clutter to a minimum.
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Bold, energising colours for decadent dining
Should your lifestyle lean towards evenings filled with a lively cocktail or an impromptu living room disco, bold and dynamic hues can bring the party home. Jewel tones like magenta, ruby, and teal bring vitality and drama into a room, setting the scene for fun. These bold colours work well when colour-drenching the entire room, from ceilings to walls and even the wood detailing. Having one bold colour can transform rooms into elegant and intimate spaces.
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Colour in the details
A yellow ochre or gold ceiling will create a luxurious, warm, and opulent atmosphere. The yellow tones reflect light, enhancing brightness while adding richness to the space. These hues can also help create a glowing effect which flatters skin tones, making them perfect choices for entertaining zones.
For the shyer partygoers, rich jewel tones can be incorporated into statement walls. Looking to previously overlooked areas in the home, a corridor, an upstairs landing, or a downstairs loo brings fantastic opportunities to have fun with colour. For example, a previously ignored hallway wall leading to a guest bathroom suddenly comes to life with a burst of a bold hue.
Selecting architectural features to highlight with a pop of colour can bring an element of surprise; such as a supporting beam in a kitchen extension or a classical niche in a living room are equally perfect examples of interior details crying out for colour. Painted in a rich colour like plum or a vivid red, they can instantly elevate a room, offering a focal point without overwhelming the space. The bold section works well to be surrounded by neutral tones and accessorised with a complementary palette to create a cohesive and inviting space.
Creating interest and fun in your home is key to an engaging entertaining space. Consider the layers; the walls, furniture, flooring and decorative accessories. Similarly, consider your lighting: warm-toned bulbs can soften a room’s colour palette and bring a cosy, inviting warmth to the space, perfect for evening gatherings.
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As the seasons change, so can your palette; from warm neutrals that invite relaxation to bold hues that inspire energy, your colour choices should reflect your own style and the type of atmosphere you want to create across each season. Whether preparing for a festive lunch or simply hosting friends for an evening of conversation, the best colour schemes make you feel at home, tell your story, and create the perfect setting to share with others.
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