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Stuart, FL
1421 S. Federal Hwy.
Stuart, FL 34994
772-221-8679
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
North Palm Beach, FL
910 North US Highway 1
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
561-626-6100
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
West Palm Beach, FL
2324 N. Military Trail
W.Palm Beach, FL 33409
561-684-3225
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Boca Raton, FL
999 N. Federal Hwy.
Boca Raton, FL 33432
561-391-2012
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Fort Lauderdale, FL
3740 N. Federal Hwy.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-566-0266
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Dania Beach, FL
1025 S. Federal Hwy.
Dania Beach, FL 33004
954-927-0237
Monday - Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Pembroke Pines, FL
13630 Pines Blvd.
Pembroke Pines, FL 33027
954-442-8788
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Naples, FL
15485 Tamiami Trail N.
Naples, FL 34110
239-513-2237
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Fort Myers, FL
4580 S. Cleveland Ave.
Ft. Myers, FL 33907
239-278-4401
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Port Charlotte, FL
4200 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-624-3377
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Sarasota, FL
5301 Clark Road
Sarasota, FL 34233
941-923-4200
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Casselberry, FL
1024 FL-436
Casselberry, FL 32707
407-618-8000
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Jacksonville, FL
7760 Gate Pkwy
Jacksonville, FL 32256
904-493-2730
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Melbourne, FL
4260 West New Haven Avenue
West Melbourne, FL 32904
321-872-2377
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Pinecrest, FL (Miami)
7501 S.W. 100th Street
Pinecrest, FL 33156
305-668-8400
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Winter Garden, FL
12105 West Colonial Drive
Winter Garden, FL 34787
407-478-2237
Monday - Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
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Furniture for Functional Entertaining

You may have bought your Florida home with a big open floor plan with the idea that you want to start entertaining. Not just a cookout by the pool, but cocktail parties, dinner parties, sporting events, and more.

Decorating for functional entertaining means you need furniture that facilitates your goals and needs. Baer's Furniture has thousands of in-stock pieces that can assist with your entertaining goals, and our designers have provided some advice for implementing a functional entertainment design.

Define Your Space

If you're planning on having a dinner party for ten people or fewer, the dining room may be your best bet — particularly if you have a larger table set, like these Oyster Bay Montauk Table and Baxter Upholstered Chairs by Lexington.

oyster-bay-11-piece-set

But if you have a larger group, you will probably entertain in your home's largest room. The space you live in and the furniture you put in it will define the type of functions that you can host. Plan your events for the space that you have.

Think About Seating

You might believe that you need one seat for every guest at a party, but that's not always true.

If you're planning a sit-down dinner, of course, you will need a chair and table surface for each guest, but for a larger cocktail party or a buffet meal, not only will you be able to get away with fewer seats, but it may be advisable. A rule of thumb is to have at least one seat for every two people. This prevents guests from camping in a chair for the duration of the event.

Sideboards are Invaluable

No matter what kind of entertaining you plan on doing, a buffet can be an invaluable addition to your home. The storage area is a great place to stow tablecloths, plates, drinkware, etc., while the surface can be used for a drink station, hors d'oeuvres, or party favors.

The Arch Salvage Wren Buffet by A.R.T. Furniture has two spacious cabinets with shelving. The shelves have spacers to keep your wine bottles organized or to use for storage. There are also concealed drawers for serving accessories.

arch-salvage-wren-buffet

Bars and Bar Carts

Wherever you decide to serve drinks, you can be sure it's going to be a busy spot. If you have the space, a bar or bar cart can free up other surfaces for food service or dining. The Bicycle Table/Bar by Some-of-a-Kind has a whimsical "party-positive" design, but it also has a narrow profile, so it stays out of the way when you need it to.

some-of-a-kind-bicycle-bar

The Versatile Ottoman

Ottomans are footrests but they're also tables. And in some cases, they're also overflow seating. And sometimes, they also have storage. All of these features are must-haves if you're serious about entertaining. 

One of our favorite pieces is the Stressless Double Ottoman and Table. It has a flat surface that you can put a tray on to make a table, and it seats two comfortably in a pinch. The hidden compartment is perfect for remotes, charging cords, and anything else you like to keep in your entertaining area but don't want accidentally walking off.

stressless-double-ottoman

Convertible Sofas for the Overnight Guest

Depending on the type of event you have, you may need to accommodate one or more overnight guests to prevent them from driving. If you're fortunate enough to have a guest room, you can comfortably host someone who may have over-imbibed.

Another solution is a convertible couch or loveseat. Something like this Queen Sleeper Sofa by Chateaux D'Ax can be a beautiful addition to your living room and folds out in an instant when needed.

queen-sleeper-sofa

Your Functional Entertainment Furniture Center

Not everyone prioritizes entertainment when it comes to interior design, but if you do plan on having guests over, your furniture will be a key element in the success or failure of your events.

Just like you wouldn't want your guests eating substandard food, you don't want them drinking and dining on disposable furniture. Stop in at a Baer's Furniture store and peruse hundreds of high-quality display items today!