Swedish Design Icon Reveals Seating Tips Ahead of the Festive Season

When guests take their seats at a festive dinner, the arrangement can shape how easily conversation moves around the table. Bo Hellberg, CMO at Swedish design company Grythyttan Stålmöbler, recommends conversational seating: arranging chairs and furniture to encourage closer, more natural interaction.

“The conversational seating technique focuses on creating intimate and engaging spaces by arranging seating to promote a more easy interaction.”

Bring the group together

Rather than relying on a rigid line of chairs, Hellberg suggests creating inward-facing sections or using modular furniture that can be adjusted to suit different group sizes.

“This makes for a more active set-up, where you can keep eye contact and have a conversation, making the space feel more inviting and cohesive.”

The idea is to make it easier for guests to see and speak to one another, while keeping the arrangement adaptable. A layout that works for a small gathering may need to shift when more people join the table.

Comfort matters as much as layout

Hellberg also points to materials, cushioning and the distance between pieces of furniture as part of the overall setting. Deep cushions and comfortable furniture can help make guests feel at ease, while careful spacing can preserve a sense of openness without losing a cosy atmosphere.

“You want to avoid a rigid layout to promote a sense of relaxed togetherness.”

For Grythyttan Stålmöbler, the advice centres on the experience of the gathering as much as its appearance. Arrange the seats to make eye contact easy, allow enough room to settle in, and leave the layout flexible enough to bring the group together.