How to Make Your Home THE Place to Be
Try these 10 ideas to make your home the place where everyone wants to be
There’s usually one on any given block – you can spot it by the kids doing chalk art and eating ice blocks in the driveway, and the parents chatting on the verandah or around the fire pit (which seems to be on just about every night). It’s the neighbourhood hangout house, and it’s where all of the kids (and grown-ups, for that matter) want to be.
If you’re cringing just imagining having neighbours lining up to hang out in your front yard, that’s understandable: being the hangout house is not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you love bringing people in the neighbourhood together, read on for 10 ways to do just that.
If you’re cringing just imagining having neighbours lining up to hang out in your front yard, that’s understandable: being the hangout house is not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you love bringing people in the neighbourhood together, read on for 10 ways to do just that.
2. Put a fun feature right out front
An outdoor swing or hanging chair will be beloved by both kids and adults, and provides you with a spot to sit and chat with neighbours. If you have kids, consider making it a tyre swing or platform swing that seats two or more, which is pretty much irresistible to little ones – proof that sometimes old-school fun does beat high tech.
An outdoor swing or hanging chair will be beloved by both kids and adults, and provides you with a spot to sit and chat with neighbours. If you have kids, consider making it a tyre swing or platform swing that seats two or more, which is pretty much irresistible to little ones – proof that sometimes old-school fun does beat high tech.
3. Start a weekly tradition
Whether you already have friends in the neighbourhood or you’re just getting to know people, setting up an informal weekly verandah date can be a fun way to keep in touch. You could do coffee and pastries in the morning, or cocktails one evening after work, and invite neighbours to bring something to contribute. Weekly feels too ambitious? A monthly date would work just as well.
Whether you already have friends in the neighbourhood or you’re just getting to know people, setting up an informal weekly verandah date can be a fun way to keep in touch. You could do coffee and pastries in the morning, or cocktails one evening after work, and invite neighbours to bring something to contribute. Weekly feels too ambitious? A monthly date would work just as well.
4. Make dining outdoors a regular thing
Eating outdoors when the weather is fine makes mealtime more fun, and if your table is in view of the street, it’s a natural setting for chatting up neighbours too. Fire up the barbecue and invite friends and neighbours to bring over whatever they’ve got to cook – a little of this and a little of that can make a bountiful (neighbourly) feast.
Outdoor entertaining zones to inspire
Eating outdoors when the weather is fine makes mealtime more fun, and if your table is in view of the street, it’s a natural setting for chatting up neighbours too. Fire up the barbecue and invite friends and neighbours to bring over whatever they’ve got to cook – a little of this and a little of that can make a bountiful (neighbourly) feast.
Outdoor entertaining zones to inspire
5. Be where the good treats are
If it’s friends for your kids you’re hoping to attract, having a well-stocked snack cupboard is a sure way to their hearts. Simple things like ice blocks, lemonade and popcorn are crowd-pleasers on summer days; just be sure to check with parents before sharing.
If it’s friends for your kids you’re hoping to attract, having a well-stocked snack cupboard is a sure way to their hearts. Simple things like ice blocks, lemonade and popcorn are crowd-pleasers on summer days; just be sure to check with parents before sharing.
6. Offer some tempting low-tech fun
A cool swing or sandbox for little ones, or a basketball hoop in the driveway for older kids, is a natural gathering place. Trampolines, as fun as they are, need to be used with supervision, especially if neighbourhood children are playing on them. Also consider getting a safety net to surround your trampoline, for everyone’s peace of mind.
A cool swing or sandbox for little ones, or a basketball hoop in the driveway for older kids, is a natural gathering place. Trampolines, as fun as they are, need to be used with supervision, especially if neighbourhood children are playing on them. Also consider getting a safety net to surround your trampoline, for everyone’s peace of mind.
7. Get your garage open for business
Need a good reason to clean out that garage? Try a beachy game room like this one on for size. With an old-school arcade game, laid-back outdoor furniture (no worries about ice block stains here) and even a shuffleboard table along one wall, there’s something for everyone. Revamp your own garage to suit your taste – make it a media room, an arts and crafts centre or a bar for the grown-ups.
Browse family game rooms
Need a good reason to clean out that garage? Try a beachy game room like this one on for size. With an old-school arcade game, laid-back outdoor furniture (no worries about ice block stains here) and even a shuffleboard table along one wall, there’s something for everyone. Revamp your own garage to suit your taste – make it a media room, an arts and crafts centre or a bar for the grown-ups.
Browse family game rooms
8. Set rules that make you happy and relaxed
If having neighbourhood kids in your house or running around your yard unsupervised makes you nervous, set some limits right away. It’s your home, and being clear and upfront about your expectations is the best way to keep hangout time fun – without letting resentment build.
If having neighbourhood kids in your house or running around your yard unsupervised makes you nervous, set some limits right away. It’s your home, and being clear and upfront about your expectations is the best way to keep hangout time fun – without letting resentment build.
9. Say yes to imperfect gatherings
Even if things aren’t perfect, or you were hoping to have more seating, or you have no idea what’s in the fridge – just say yes. The more you practice saying yes when things aren’t perfect (and they never are anyway), the easier it will get. Remember, your friends and neighbours care more about your genuine presence than the details.
How to be the best neighbour
Even if things aren’t perfect, or you were hoping to have more seating, or you have no idea what’s in the fridge – just say yes. The more you practice saying yes when things aren’t perfect (and they never are anyway), the easier it will get. Remember, your friends and neighbours care more about your genuine presence than the details.
How to be the best neighbour
10. Gather round the fire. Looking for an easy way to invite folks over more often? When you have a fire pit in the backyard, it’s as simple as saying, “Hey, come hang out tonight – we’re roasting marshmallows around the fire pit!”
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