Have you ever noticed how there are just some environments that lend themselves to conversation? There is a reason they have those big comfy chairs and cozy corners at your favorite coffee shop, or that fine restaurants have a different décor and arrangement that the local fast-food joint. Surely, you have been in homes that felt cozier and more open to lingering conversation than others? When it comes to our family life, we might have a perfectly utilitarian family room and a high tech living room—but is there space in your house that encourages family members (and others) to just sit and talk? If you are trying to connect more as a family, you might need to create space that encourages conversation.
In order for a space to be conducive to conversation—there needs to be plenty of comfortable seating for everyone and it needs to be arranged in a way that everyone can see each other. If you have a family of five or six and only one couch in your living or family area—it may be okay for a few people to watch TV but it might not make chatting very easy. Cushions and big pillows can substitute for sofas and love seats if you don’t have the space or the budget, but the space should still be open and arranged so as to invite conversation. In our home, since we only have one living/family room space, we do have a television in the room but it is off to the side in the corner. The sofa, loveseat, chair and a cushioned bench are all arranged around a low, circular coffee table so that if you sit in the room with other people, you cannot help but face each other. There is plenty of room for teenagers to sprawl out and have space and a few cozy quilts that serve as lap robes too.
It does not have to be a living area that is set aside for conversations; people love to chat in kitchens and dining areas too. I think the important thing is that if you really want to have a family who chats with each other regular, you have to carve out the space and create an environment that invites conversation.
See Also: the HOME Blog