Whether it’s an intimate garden party, an elegant meal for a crowd, or a conference for thousands of guests, all events should be able to create a comfortable and invigorating atmosphere for exploring new things and meeting new people. And so much of that comes down to the venue design and decor, which can make or break your event. Here’s what to look out for, along with some swoon-worthy inspiration for your next event.

Whether you’re hosting at home or in a commercial venue, you’ll need to create comfortable spaces for guests to mingle and enjoy their time at the event. This comes down to your layout, but also the seating, textiles, and lighting. Open-plan spaces work great for mingling, with breakout seating areas for guests to relax and chat. We love a banquette or sofa set up in a breakout space, which is comfortable yet flexible enough to accommodate larger numbers of people than individual chairs can.

We love an indoor-outdoor space, especially for elegant events like a wedding reception or formal banquet. A sheltered terrace is a perfect way for guests to enjoy a scenic view and take in some fresh air. For an all-indoor event, make sure your event space has great ventilation!

Every event needs a bar that’s big enough to accommodate the number of guests arriving. The bar is a great space for guests to network, and it creates a focal point for your event. High ceilings, wooden beams, exposed brick, and metallic accents give this particular event space a modern industrial feel that can easily be dressed up for a variety of different occasions.

If you’re hosting a conference, panel discussion, gig, or anything that involves live acts, you’ll need a great staging area. Consider lighting, sound equipment, seating, and decorative elements like plants, side tables, rugs, and backdrops.

If you plan on serving food, your event will also need a dining space that can draw guests in and bring people together. Whether it’s an informal buffet or a sit-down meal, a beautifully-dressed table will go a long way in creating a special atmosphere for your event. Bring the eye to your dining area with lighting (pendant lighting and decorative lampshades are a great way to catch attention), centerpieces, and comfortable seats.

Aside from the basic spaces that make a venue functional, the thing that will truly create a good atmosphere for your event is all in the detail. Colors, textures, lighting – all of those decorative accents are what really make an event feel special. Take your event beyond the ordinary experience to surprise and delight your guests with some artistic flair. Choose a color scheme, play with textures, incorporate natural materials, and use decorative lighting like candles, fairy lights, or colorful spotlights to create the mood you want!