Design for Connection & Comfort
Winter has been very wintery here in the Hamptons this year. While snow on the beach is undeniably beautiful, bitter winds and difficult driving conditions have kept many of us closer to home—and, at times, more isolated than usual. Just this past week, I spoke with two friends who hadn’t been out of the house in days and hadn’t seen another person.
In winter, when we spend far more time inside our homes than at any other point in the year, we become acutely aware of how much we need connection—and whether our homes actually support our ability to gather. As we begin to look ahead to spring (please let it come soon), it feels like the right moment to talk about how our homes can support both connection and comfort, no matter the season.
The first place to start is by understanding how you like to connect.
How Do You Naturally Connect at Home?
Is it gathered around the dining table, lingering over a meal in chairs comfortable enough for long conversations? Is it in the kitchen with music playing, wine poured, and friends naturally gravitating to the counter? Or is it cozy evenings with family on the sectional, playing a board game or streaming a favorite show?
The popularity of the open-concept kitchen and living space reflects a collective realization that we don’t want to feel disconnected from what’s happening in the kitchen. At the same time, I’m seeing some clients return to a desire for more intimate gathering spaces within their homes. You already know who you want to connect with—and how those connections tend to unfold. When we design homes for our clients, we begin by asking exactly that: who do you spend your time with, and how do you live day to day? From there, we create environments that support that way of life.
Designing Around the Way You Live
It starts with the layout. More often than not, I begin a project with a Design Alignment meeting where a client arrives certain they want a sectional—only to realize that in their particular space, it would completely block the natural flow of the room. Or they envision seating twelve to fourteen people in a space that comfortably accommodates eight. These moments aren’t missteps; they’re reminders that good design begins with understanding how a space truly functions.
How many people do you typically host? That single question informs everything from the size of your dining table to the seating in your living spaces. As a general guideline, allowing about 24 inches per person at a dining table ensures comfort and ease. In family and living rooms, choosing sofas and chairs with slimmer arms can maximize usable seating without overcrowding the space. Swivel chairs add versatility, allowing guests to turn toward conversation, a view, or the television depending on the moment. Ottomans are another hardworking piece, easily doubling as extra seating when you’re entertaining.
Even in winter, it’s worth thinking ahead to outdoor spaces. Thoughtfully designed outdoor living and dining areas extend your home beyond its walls and often allow you to gather more people comfortably than your interior spaces alone. These spaces also deepen your connection to nature, which naturally enhances the experience of being together.
Comfort Is What Allows Connection
Comfort plays a critical role in creating meaningful connection. When you are comfortable, you feel safe. And when you feel safe, there is more ease—more openness, more presence, and more room for conversation. This is the atmosphere you want when you’re spending time with family and friends.
Furnishings should invite people to sit, stay, and relax, while allowing you to feel at ease hosting them. This is where quality matters. The goal isn’t to choose pieces so precious no one can touch them, nor pieces so fragile they can’t stand up to real life. Well-made furnishings upholstered in performance fabrics—many now crafted from recycled materials—offer durability, stain resistance, and peace of mind, while supporting sustainability. Soft textures like chenille and velvet add warmth and coziness without sacrificing practicality.
Just as important is creating a home that feels lived in, not staged. Most of us feel more at ease in spaces that reflect real life rather than those that resemble a gallery or showroom. Comfort and connection thrive in homes that feel welcoming and personal.
Layers That Invite People to Stay
Layering is another essential element of comfort. Creating a sensory experience through warmth and softness becomes effortless when you incorporate pillows, throws, and tactile materials. In winter, a thick mohair throw brings depth and warmth. Alpaca and cashmere work beautifully year-round, while cotton and linen are ideal for summer months. These layers quietly communicate that your home is meant to be lived in, not just admired.
Designing with Intention
Designing for connection and comfort ultimately comes down to intention. When you pause to consider how you will use a space—and who you want to spend time in that space with—you save both time and money. This clarity allows you to make decisions you’ll feel good about for years to come. It begins with a layout that supports gathering, continues with quality furnishings that accommodate real life, and is completed with layers that create warmth and welcome.
If you’re unsure where to begin, this is often the work we do at the Design Foundations level—helping clients step back, assess how they truly live, and create a clear, thoughtful plan before making larger design decisions. When a home is designed with intention, connection follows naturally.