As the cricket fever sweeps across the continent this ICC World Cup, there's no better time to gather your friends and family for some unforgettable watch parties. However, depending on your living space, hosting a successful house party that combines the thrill of sports with comfort may require some thoughtful furniture rearrangement. In this guide, we will provide you with some innovative ideas to help you create the perfect ambiance for maximum comfort, and ensure that your room is perfectly suited for an exciting match. Let's get started!

The first thing to organise in preparation of a coming house party is your entryway. Make sure that your shoe rack has enough space and is readily accessible for the guests.

The second step is to choose your party area. It should strike a balance between being comforting and accommodating, ideally sized to host the number of guests on your invite list. If your list, however, consists of mostly close friends, a smaller space is likely to provide a more intense experience.

Arrange a suitable viewing option depending on the size of the crowd you are expecting. Whether you are using a traditional television or a multimedia projector, ensure that it is fully functional before your guests start to arrive.

Once you have selected your party area, take an inventory of the portable seating options, including chairs, stools, and ottomans. Like it or not, your seating arrangements will be influenced by the size and placement of your sofa. Therefore, ensure that the sofa is both clean and cosy.

Photo: Collected

If the sofa has seen better days or the cushions are in need of a thorough cleaning (which might not be possible at the moment), consider temporarily adding a clean blanket. Rest assured, it's a better alternative to sitting on soiled cushions.

Regarding position, our suggestion is to place the sofa directly facing the TV. However, since moving such furniture can be cumbersome, you can leave it in place and organise all the seating options, including the sofa, in a way that creates a semi-circle oriented toward the TV.

For larger gatherings, get creative with your furniture layout. Position the portable furniture around the parameter in such cases. You might consider introducing a mattress in the middle. Throw in a few sofa cushions or pillows, and voila! You have a casual seating on the floor. You should also remove small tables, shelves or sculptures to free up space for installing even more seating options.

Although the living room is expected to be the primary hub of excitement during a watch party, your kitchen will undoubtedly take centre stage once it's time to serve food. Ensure that you have created a passage within your party space for efficient distribution of food and utensils. On that note, it is wise not to serve items that you absolutely will not tolerate spilling on the floor or furniture, because as we all know, that is bound to happen at any party sooner or later. Keep your cleaning supplies ready and a lot of napkins available around the party.

Lastly, swap your usual light bulbs with low-wattage night lights for a better ambience. There is a diverse selection of subtle, multicoloured lights to choose from. Match the light colour with your favourite team, and you will have a themed watch party in full swing!