Khloé Kardashian's neutral terrace masters the 'conversational seating' method – it's perfectly arranged for entertaining guests outside

Whether you've been keeping up with the Kardashians or not, you have likely heard of them. But beyond their televised personas and glamorous outfits are some divinely decorated homes, including Khloé's former California residence, boasting a spacious terrace surrounded by luscious greenery and an outdoor pool.

The terrace, styled by British interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, is one of the $18 million dollar home's most relaxing areas. Featuring a swing sofa, a low stone table, and an elegant canopy for shade, Bullard truly conceptualized a quintessential hub for winding down and enjoying good company.

Through mindfully placing seating to optimize the ease of conversation flow, as well as comfort, this space proves how, with a bit of extra thought, a well-structured design can not only look amazing but encourage people to connect.

The seating arrangement of Khloé's terrace likely wasn't unintentional. It utilizes a simple yet effective layout hack known as the 'conversational seating technique': a technique used by designers when considering seating arrangements to place chairs in the best possible orientation to encourage people to talk.

Mike Durbidge, CEO of Andrew Martin, explains how having these two particular sofas directly opposite one another on Khloé's terrace achieves this effortlessly.

'Conversational seating is all about balance – keeping outdoor furniture such as seating at a comfortable distance, avoiding barriers that disrupt eye contact, and incorporating soft textures to enhance a sense of warmth and ease. In this case, the symmetry of the layout adds a structured elegance, while the outdoor setting makes it feel effortlessly sociable.'

The inclusion of a neutral swing sofa enhances the relaxed, effortless feel cultivated here further, as well as the addition of soft furnishings. Visitors can sit in deep chat, laugh, and lounge, or enjoy a seasonal get-together with whichever furnishings Khloé wishes to incorporate on her blank canvas seating, whether seasonal or chic.

Placing two large seats opposite one another also gives visitors the choice of whether to sit next to each other or face to face, depending on the nature of the relationship or conversation.

'The furniture placement of two sofas directly opposite each other with a coffee table in between creates an intimate yet open arrangement, ensuring that guests are naturally oriented toward one another,' Mike says.

So, regardless of whether guests are sat together or apart, the inherent setup of the space grounds people to feel connected. It's secluded but spacious, intimate yet inviting.

Shop The Look

If you're looking to elevate your patio or terrace before better weather arrives, it's definitely worth considering how your seating is positioned. If you enjoy a catch-up over coffee, conversational seating would be ideal, whereas if you like to host, having numerous tables and chairs to prop food and drink on will be of higher importance.