Your new is just around the corner
Sign up for insight into the latest design trends from our newsletter
You're on the list
By signing up, you agree to receive email marketing.
Hosting Must-Haves: Everything You Need for a Great Party
If you like hosting parties, you know how necessary preparation and setup are for success. Things tend to go smoothly, and everyone has a blast when you have everything you need.
From kitchen and dining room furniture to storage solutions to decorative touches, you can find all the must-haves for hosting your next party.
Furniture Necessities
Always start with the more significant pieces. Then, you’ll have a better idea of what to include as add-ons.
Extendable Dining Table
A dining room table that lets you adjust its length is best if you host parties regularly. You can tailor extendable tables to your party needs, providing flexibility in how many people you can host without your table being awkwardly sized.
Comfortable Dining Chairs
Next come the dining chairs. Comfort is key — chairs without cushioning should at least be ergonomically designed. Awkward or crammed seating will make guests want to leave the table and prevent the group from enjoying the meal or company.
Extra Seating
The best hosts will plan for one or two unexpected guests, so having extra seating handy is something you’ll want. Versatile options like benches and barstools are perfect because you can easily move them around as needed. Even ottomans and poufs can work in bohemian or eclectic settings.
Bar Cart
Bar carts are terrific for setting up drinks. They also double as a mobile serving station for guests to meet and mingle. In a pinch, a stylish end table can serve the same function.
Accessories for a Finishing Touch
You can’t host a successful holiday dinner without certain accessories.
Quality Tableware
Use durable and presentable serverware and tableware, and make sure you have enough for every guest. And it doesn’t hurt to have a few extra! The essentials include:
•
Plates
•
Bowls
•
Glasses
•
Utensils
•
Platters
•
Serving Spoons
Linens
Don’t forget your linens. Quality linens can add elegance to your event or liven up the party atmosphere:
•
Napkins (cloth napkins add a nice touch)
•
Placemats
•
Tablecloths or runners
Essential Storage for Hosting
You’ll need extra storage space when people come over.
Sideboards and Buffets
Although the table is usually the focal point, it needs plenty of support from sideboards and buffets to make a dining room functional, especially for storage. From run-of-the-mill surface areas for guests to put their phones or drinks to space for storing extra linens and utensils, you can’t be a host if you don’t have a place to put things.
Coat Racks and Entryway Hooks
Don’t only think about the dining room. If you invite more than a few guests, you have to consider where they will put their coats, scarves, and other personal belongings. A stylish coat rack or hooks mounted to the wall in your entryway are good options.
Decorative Features
Finally, always remember to set the mood.
Ambient Lighting
Lighting adds so much to the ambiance, and dimmers are best for creating your desired mood. For hosting gatherings, table lamps, floor lamps, sconces, and ceiling fixtures work together to layer light with different sources and intensities. If you want a showstopper to have guests talking long after the party, hang an elegant chandelier above the table.
Decorative Pieces
There are many decorative accents you can add to a dining space. Whether you want to infuse personality or create a particular vibe, you can do it with decor. Here are some of the most popular options:
•
Vases
•
Trays
•
Candles
•
Napkin rings
•
Centerpieces
Wall Art and Mirrors
Install mirrors to brighten a space, making the room feel larger and more inviting. Wall art and decor also add visual appeal and can make dinner conversation livelier.
•
Vases
•
Trays
•
Candles
•
Napkin rings
•
Centerpieces
Host Functions with Class and Confidence
If you have the right furniture, storage, accessories, and decor, hosting an incredible party without a hitch is easy.
And just like you would prepare your living room for entertaining, hosting must-haves in the dining room will help you come across as a dinner-party guru. So before setting the date for your next gathering, be sure you have the essentials to make it the best one yet.