Entertaining At Home

Though it’s a great time to entertain any time of year, there’s something about the crisp fall weather, the upcoming holidays and the season that just makes entertaining the thing to do. Get a head-start on entertaining season this year by getting these five things in tip-top shape now. You’ll have more time to plan the fun part of parties and enjoy your guests! Pull out your dinner plates, dessert plates and glasses to check for missing pieces, chips, scratches and more.

Do you fantasize about having the kind of home that everyone wants to hang out in? Do you daydream about dinner parties where the lights are lit low, the food is delicious and the conversation a mix of intelligent discourse and lighthearted teasing? Do you want to start your own tradition with friends in your own home? Whatever your reasons for wanting to have the kind of place that your friends always want to hang out in, here are the things to try in your space to transform it.

To truly know how to be a great host, I think you have to put yourself in your guests’ shoes. Or their bed, actually. One of these days, take a turn to stay in your own home as a guest. Your hyper-local staycation will allow you to get to know the quirks of your home from a visitor’s point of view. Is the bed uncomfortable? Is the street noise louder on this side of the apartment? Do the upstairs neighbors use this room as a gym?

Assuming that you enjoy having house guests, you always want to make sure you’re playing the role of a gracious host. That means, of course, that sheets and towels are clean and that the fridge is stocked with snacks. But once those things are handled, here are five extra-credit ways to help your guests feel right at home when they stay at yours.

How many people can you host at once? Two? 10? You’re probably counting sofa cushions right now in your head. The reality is, the “right” number of living room seats is different for everyone, and largely dependent on the amount of space you have available.

It’s not about whether or not your baseboards are clean, or if fresh flowers adorn every table surface. There’s really only a short list of things that really truly make a difference to your guests. Nail these things down and you guarantee a good visit every time. If you have toilet paper in the bathroom, shampoo in the shower, and fresh towels for them to use, you are good to go.

We normally leave the menus to The Kitchn, but when you’re planning a bridal shower, you’re going to have to feed people. And if it’s not your forté, we’ve got you covered with tips for a simple, mostly make-ahead, and budget-friendly brunch menu that anyone pull off, no caterers needed. Crudité is a party staple for a reason: it’s pretty, it’s easy, and you can buy a lot of it already cut up (or cut it yourself in advance).

It’s 2015. Why not shake up your holiday party traditions? After all, you can only eat so many snickerdoodles without craving something a little more fiercely festive. If you want your party to be the one that everyone is talking about the next day, we’ve got you covered. This year, instead of swapping cookies… …set up a shake swap.

Our best picks for breezy outdoor games that can be picked up quick to invite everyone in on the fun.

Perhaps grilling isn’t your thing or maybe your itty bitty outdoor space will barely fit you, much less your guests. Either way, there are lots of ways to spend time outside doing fun things with your friends and family this summer that don’t involve burgers and dogs. Try these four so you can host without having to haul home a heavy bag of charcoal anytime soon. So you have no outdoor space at all in which to host? No biggie.

Doesn’t this party on Chris and Amber’s patio look absolutely dreamy? I’m going to live vicariously through them whilst shopping for outdoor lights and trying to figure out how I can trade all our mosquitoes in for a pool… Swedish Wrought Iron Pendant Lantern, Kaufmann Mercantile, $199 Copper Prism Tea Light Lantern (plus waterproof LED tea lights), Terrain, $12 Battery-Operated “Paper” Lantern (white, blue, or teal), Target, $7.

Having a summer party that looks like a million bucks doesn’t have to mean spending a million bucks. Here are nine easy DIY ideas that will make your next outdoor party especially memorable… and that won’t break the bank. Above: A wheelbarrow makes a great impromptu drink cooler. Spotted on Style Me Pretty. DIY low table (cinderblocks and plywood perhaps?) + blankets and pillows out on the lawn = an unforgettable outdoor dining experience. Image from Eye Swoon.

Are you a robot who is always ready for spur-of-the-moment guests? Good for you! The rest of us humans need to fake it once in a while. Here are twenty easy ways to do just that. Make your home look loads better in a hurry with one or two (or more if you’re feeling motivated!) of these low effort, high-impact (and dirt-hiding) tips. 20. Sweep clutter from all visible surfaces. 19. Make the bed. 18. Clean the bathroom mirror. 17. Light a candle. 16. Putting out a store-bought snack?

The popularity of cocktails is on the rise, and the home bar is making a comeback in the American home. But even if you’re not lucky enough to have a wet bar, you can still set up a dedicated space for mixing drinks, no matter the size of your home. Read on for plenty of ideas from our tours. Above: Marina has a fairly impressive collection of liquor that lives on the kitchen countertop in her New York apartment.

Do you have plans for guests to be trickling in this summer? In between your own travel plans and busy life in general, you might find yourself pressed for time before receiving visitors. Check off the items on this list for a quick way to make sure you’ve got it all together before houseguests arrive, this season and beyond. Ideally, we want to have time to do a really good clean up of the whole house before guests come over. But you might not always have the time for that.

Now that sunshine and warmth have arrived, it’s time to start hosting BBQs, parties, and outdoor hangouts. If you’re looking for some activities to jumpstart your gatherings, here are ten DIY ideas that will liven up any lawn. Top Row: 1. Yard Toss Game via A Subtle Revery: Bright colors make this yard toss set even more fun. 2. Giant Jenga via Momoluv on Instructables: If the blocks seem unwieldy, you could also use a rubber mallet to nudge them free. 3.

It’s Pride, y’all! May the parades be sunny, the dance floors filled, and the rights ever-increasing. Please dance extra-hard for those of us without Pride celebrations where we live (maybe I should get to work on that!).

There’s no wrong way to picnic, so here are four very right ways to go about dining out-of-doors. From the Fancy Pants Tea Party-Style Picnic to the Adults-Only Midnight Picnic Jamboree, and from the Classy Drunk to the Everything-Free Feast, there’s a style for every picnicker… Do Day Drinking Right Of course Apartment Therapy does not condone outdoor alcohol consumption where prohibited… but if you’re going to spike your picnic, do it with style.

Chances are, you’ve heard of Marie Kondo by now. Her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, seems to be everywhere these days. If you haven’t heard of Kondo’s philosophy, in a nutshell, it promotes cleansing your life of all the things that don’t give you joy. In the spirit of spring cleaning, my friends and I recently had a Marie Kondo party to collectively motivate ourselves to clean out, tidy up, and share some joy.

It can be a challenge to host more people than your guest room can handle. Instead of turning on your No Vacancy light, consider some creative options to offer your friends and family when your guest room is full to capacity. During our first month in Denver, my husband and I hosted 13 people (singles and families) in our 700 square-foot 1 bedroom shotgun. We were always happy to take in our friends but made sure to let them know about the size of our accommodations ahead of time.

Your definition of what it means to be a good host will more than likely change a few times over the course of your lifetime. If you’re at that stage of life when everyone around you seems to be having babies, you might want to consider changing things up a bit — not only to be a better host, but also to protect your favorite things from being broken, squished, or colored on.

Not only is Mother’s Day a time to celebrate and thank all the wonderful moms in your life but it’s also a great excuse to host and style a beautiful spring brunch. Setting up a gorgeous table shows your guests how special they are and makes an event that much more memorable (and provides lots of great photo opps!). With the Spring season, there’s no shortage of colorful inspiration.

Everyone knows a homebody. (And if you don’t know one, you definitely are one.) Homebodies aren’t boring and they’re not necessarily shy. They just know hanging around the house can be pretty awesome. Here’s why… Homebodies love spending time at home and so they naturally put a lot of effort into making their home a great place to be. That might manifest through calming colors, lots of comfortable seating or even just plenty of snacks.

Are you an introvert who’s sworn off entertaining after too many exhausting events? Not everyone is cut out for every kind of hosting, but just because you’re not a social butterfly doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time with guests; you just have to do it the right way and play to your strengths. Here’s how.

Is there anything more magically pagan-feeling than running around on one of the first days of spring, searching for treasures amongst the just-warm soil, fresh green grass, and newly-budding trees? These 9 fresh twists on an old tradition just might make the day even more magical and memorable… 1. Easter Egg Balloons by Studio DIY for Balloontime Let kids decorate air- or helium-filled balloons, hide them, and let the hunt begin.

During one of the epic snowstorms this winter, I saw a bar carved into the snow by a couple of neighbors on the nightly news. It was pretty impressive and I wanted one. Now, pub-sheds seem to be making their mark in backyards around the globe. Is this the new craze for yards with enough space to accommodate them? Will this take over the man cave basement bar? Are you ready to swap out the lawnmower and power tools for a kegerator and bar stools?

Spring officially begins in less than three weeks, but since we got snow where I live last year on May 17th, I’m not holding my breath for warm weather anytime soon. Here are a half-dozen ways to survive whatever remains of winter— no matter how many weeks (or months) we have yet to go. 1.

Writer and editor Melanie Warner Spencer’s apartment in Uptown New Orleans is filled with charm, but no guest bedroom. So she’s come up with a way to transform her dining area into an inviting space a guest would actually want to stay in — and has tips and ideas you could steal for your own home.

Dear Alice, We live in a coastal town and often have houseguests to stay on weekends. There is one couple we invite regularly, (a close friend of my husband’s) who always arrive without any food, wine or a hostess gift. They sit and wait to be served and don’t offer to help in any way. They often stay longer than we would like and they sleep in past nine, when our household is usually up around seven, even on weekends.

What’s the best gift you can give to a generous host? A compliment. (Although wine has to be a close second!) We all know how good it feels when a guest praises our taste. Make it a habit to spread the love the next time you’re invited to a friend’s home, and let’s see if we can start a movement. I became a chronic complimenter after hosting a couples’ game night late last summer.

Well, that was a whirlwind! Apparently it’s now January and yet my festive to-do list remains a mile long. Let’s take stock of all the winter fun we didn’t manage to get around to… yet. I’m still planning to do all of the following: There are still tree trimmings hanging about, pine needles still smell great, and it’s still really brown and barren outside so any bit of life I can bring in the house is precious.

A recent search for an “elaborate, colorful chandelier” for our living room lead me down a fantastic pająki rabbit hole. The paper and straw sculptures, typically Polish folklore holiday decor, were originally constructed to hang from the ceiling to resemble elaborate crystal chandeliers found in homes of the upper class. Pająki are usually made using wood straws but I wanted lots of color, so I changed it up a bit and used printed paper straws.

Did you entertain as much as you wanted to in 2014? We spend a lot of time beautifying our homes, but most of us don’t share them as often as we’d like.

I feel like I’ve been conditioned to despise Poinsettias. They’re everywhere this time of year. And so cheap and easy to find—I guarantee you can get one for $5 right now at the grocery. I thought there was no luster left for me when it comes to the common Poinsettia, but these modern takes on the colorful flowery plant have made me reconsider. I think I’ll pick one up on my way home tonight. The New Poinsettia is all about presentation.

As much as we welcome extended visits with family and friends, many introverts can attest to the fact that sometimes the nonstop noise and people stimulation can be draining — regardless of how much we love our loved ones and enjoy being with them. Sometimes we need to catch a breather or we find ourselves running on empty. Here are a few tips on how to recharge if you get your energy from being alone (but you are currently surrounded by people).

The holidays are upon us, and with them holiday guests. From our video archives, here are a few tips for getting your home overnight guest ready, so that having friends or family crashing at your place will be a blissful experience and not a stressful one. Our first tip comes from professional organizer Justin Klosky, who suggests leaving space in your guest room for your guests.

Want your guests sinking into your living room furniture cushions to soak up each other’s delightful conversation instead of crowding in your kitchen or awkwardly standing around? Focus on your seating arrangements and add these six elements to make future entertaining in your home smooth, cozy and natural. Guests don’t want to shimmy through tight squeezes or step over stools to get to seating. They want it to feel like getting cozy is natural and easy to find.

Are you a good party guest? Here are three party guest habits to avoid — and four to adopt — to ensure you’ll be invited back year after year. 1. Show up right on time. For most people it’s second nature to show up at least 15 minutes late to a big gathering, but the perpetually punctual may have trouble with this.

We’ve covered the topic of how to make overnight guests feel welcome and cared for. But what about when you’re the guest? I’ve had many people stay in my home, from family to friends of friends I’d never met before. Here are some things that make me feel cared for as someone who lets others into my home, and what I try to keep in mind when I’m the guest.

We all set ourselves high expectations occasionally: to be the best we can be, to put our best foot forward, to try our best, etc. But when it comes to a party, that kind of “best”-focused thinking can be counter-productive. In preparation for the holiday season, here are three things that you can Stop Worrying About Now, and three that you might want to focus your energies on. Things to maybe chill out about: Having a picture-perfect setting.

So you’re having a holiday party, and you want it to be perfect. Take a look at this list — and make sure to avoid these nine mistakes that even the most well-intentioned hosts and hostesses make. Don’t expect that your guests will know to help themselves to the beer in the fridge, or that they’ll be able to find those cookies tucked away in the back of the kitchen.

Do you hang a wreath for the holidays? Do you like how it’s like “jewelry” for the front door? If so, consider a wreath every month! Inspired by a neighbor, we now change wreaths with each season at my house. They’re quiet, subtle wreaths that each have a slight nod to the time of year. Here, I’ve gathered 10 simple wreaths to buy or make for (most) months of the year: December: 15″ Bay Leaf Wreath, Williams-Sonoma, $29.

I’ve been known to splay out on the sofa on Thanksgiving Day in my unbuttoned jeans, with a glass of wine in one hand and a plate of food in the other. Guilty as charged. But if you’ve got an acute case of cabin fever, or are itching to do something more productive, there’s much to offer beyond football.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or visiting loved ones as guests, whether your gathering consists of two or thirty, the holiday feeling we all hope for can be summed up in the following all-encompassing phrase: love and be loved. Ranging from physical ways to set the mood, to some unseen ways to make the holiday more meaningful, here are a few ways to add an extra touch of warmth and light to your special days. 1. Laugh when things go wrong.

It’s holiday party season, and we’re looking forward to welcoming friends and family into our homes to celebrate. One of the best ways to decorate for holiday parties is with that good old standby, white fairy lights. The soft glow immediately creates a cozy ambiance and makes any space feel more inviting. Here are a few idea on how to use fairy lights at your next gathering.

With the rush of the holiday season, the ability to whip up a quick project at home versus running to the store again can be a real lifesaver. We’ve rounded up 1o of our favorite printables for Thanksgiving, from a festive banner to cute “to go” bags to remind guests to take home those leftovers. 1. These cute pie box labels from Studio DIY will make that midnight snack even more enticing. 2.

Maybe you dream of throwing the perfect holiday party…but you dread the planning, and the preparation, and the cooking, and the cleanup. We’ve got some tips, from our video archives, about how to make the whole thing as simple and painless as possible. You’re on your way to your best (and easiest) holiday party yet. Having a party that’s fun and un-stressy is all about making sure you’re prepared beforehand.

Lets face it: The days and hours leading up to a gathering like Thanksgiving or Christmas are usually a little hectic. So if you don’t have time to shop for the perfect gift for your holiday host this year, don’t fret. Here are 20 small gifts that can be picked up at your local supermarket—on the way to the party—for around $20 or less. Plus a few tips to make your gift a little more thoughtful. 1.

I recently set myself a very important Life Goal. I don’t remember exactly where or when it happened (there may have been wine involved), but I turned to the friend I was with and announced “I’ve decided what I want my legacy to be. When I die, people are going to say that I threw great parties.

I’ve been trying this thing where I’m staying optimistic at all times. So instead of groaning about the cold weather, I’m embracing it. Strapping on my boots with a smile and, yes, enjoying the chilly nights with a backyard fire whenever the mood strikes. You can get in on this fall fun, too. And probably for less than you think. All you really need to get a fire going is some wood and a match (and plenty of open space, and probably a fire extinguisher nearby).

It’s said that smell is the sense with the closet ties to memory. As you prepare your home for the holidays with plenty of love, laughter and decoration, don’t forget about ambiance. ‘Tis the season to dim the lights, put on some soft music and, if you’re so inclined, prepare one of these lovely and fragrant little recipes to fill your home with great memories. Toss one of these wax bombs into the fire.

A few years back my husband and I moved from a small Midwestern town to the booming metropolis of Denver, Colorado. We met our amazing best friends and experienced a culinary awakening. Gone were the days of casseroles and pancakes — cured meats, dinner parties, and exotic spices were our future! While revelations of brown butter and sage sauces were blowing my mind, I always seemed to be tossing out bits and pieces of extras from recipes that I just didn’t know what to do with.

There are years when many of us simply can’t afford to attend family Thanksgiving festivities. Though it’s never easy, here are eight ways to lessen the feeling of missing out, and being missed. Phone Tag: Consult with the host on when a good time to call would be— during the cocktail hour? After dinner when everyone’s lounging about? Ideally, everyone could pass the phone around for a quick holiday chat, without interrupting the festivities.

Is there anything more fun than hunting through your house for hidden goodies, treasure map in hand? If you are 5 years old, the answer is probably no, there isn’t. Want to set up a treasure hunt in your house? Here’s how. What you need: Paper: printer, and at least one large sheet Printer + ink Pencil + eraser Sharpie Decorative craft items: aluminium foil, glue, cotton wool, faux fur, crayons, pencils, glitter – whatever you can dream up! TREASURE! Instructions: 1.

Name: Jennifer Perkins and husband Chris Boehk along with daughter Tallulah (five years old) and Baxter (three years old). Location: Shady Hollow Neighborhood — Austin, Texas Size: 2,900 square feet Years lived in: Owned 1 year We shared some of the great Halloween decor ideas we spotted in the home of Jennifer Perkins (crafter, business lady and really rad mom) earlier this month.

I just read a long Negotiating Holiday Family Time discussion that nearly gave me hives, so I thought I’d share my distress with all of you: where are you planning on spending the holidays, and with whom, and who’s unhappy about it? U.S. Thanksgiving is five weeks away and it’s taking all of my willpower not to send out a panicky planning email right now. I need to know that everything’s sorted out so I can focus on making practice pies.

Here’s everything, and we mean EVERYTHING you need to get inspired for Halloween. It’s a collection of some of our greatest holiday ideas and finds for decorations, costumes, parties and crafts — all in one place. Check it out and make this October 31st your best one yet!

The holidays are approaching and you know what that means: pie! Maybe that sounds like a joke, but eating pie (and most holiday foods) is a perfect example of a ritual at home. And the more you practice them, the richer these rituals become. For most of us, having a slice (or three) of holiday pie is a touchstone that tells us it’s time to celebrate.

If you are trying to avoid plastic pumpkins and crepe streamers for your Halloween party this year, check out these creative ideas for easy decorations and party ideas that will make a big impact. Several of these ideas, like the foliage pumpkins and the felt leaves garland, could even be left up after the party to keep your house feeling seasonal and festive!

For all those in-charge, always-organized holiday pros already far into holiday planning, this post isn’t for you. For the rest of us who just recently noticed it’s already the middle of October, you might find these four get-ahead-holiday things to tackle right now helpful!

I moved into my first all-mine, no-roommates apartment in mid-August. Less than three weeks later, I was throwing a housewarming party. It’s okay if you think I’m insane (my best friend did); but if you haven’t had people over yet, there are compelling reasons to just do it already. Here’s why: You’ll be forced to get stuff done. There’s no motivator like having people over.

When I started Apartment Therapy as a design service in NYC in 2001, I quickly noticed that if I helped someone to improve their home, but their refrigerator was empty, progress halted. In other words, no matter how lovely I was able to get a home to look, if my clients didn’t come home to cook and eat, everything got cold and dusty.

Once we bit the bullet and ordered a sleeper sofa for our guest room, I started thinking: how many nights in a hotel would this same amount of money buy? Would we actually come out ahead by paying for our guests’ lodging instead of a piece of furniture? Let’s say the average price of a sofa bed is $1,500 (I did not arrive at this number mathematically, but I have looked at hundreds of sofa beds in the last few weeks.) and that the average night’s stay in a hotel/motel is $150.

In my opinion, flowers make everything better. I love them in vases, clipped onto crowns and I especially love them tied onto garland for special occasions — or just for fun! Here are 10 DIY versions, 5 using fresh flowers and 5 using pretty papers. FRESH 1. Flower Garland, DIY from La Mariée Aux Pieds Nus 2. Flower Garland Wall Hanging, DIY from The Kitchy Kitchen 3. Rustic Floral Garland, DIY from Rustic Wedding Chic 4. 15 Minute Flower Garland, DIY from Oh Joy! 5.

Right before Labor Day Weekend, I helped to kick off a new feature here on Apartment Therapy, called Gatherings, which has been running on our other site, The Kitchn, since last year. The idea is to hold a party with friends and then blog the setup, recipes and the evening. This is one I’ve wanted to do for years: a summer feast with hearty, easy, grilled food and bonfires on either side of the dinner table. With a few weeks left of summer, I hope this inspires you! Enjoy.

If your couch is sagging under the weight of too many surfers this summer, you may need a refresh on the basics of guest/host protocol. Read on for our take on when to welcome guests into your home and how to just say no. Disclaimer: It’s your home, so you’re free to invite (or not invite) anyone, regardless of what we think. But, if you’re looking for a few suggested guidelines, here you go.

If you’re the type who loves to be coordinated from head to toe, you might start to wish that every little detail of your home reflected your personal style—right down to the playing cards. And why shouldn’t it? Treating yourself to a beautiful deck of cards is a cheap thrill you can enjoy for years to come (they also make great gifts and stocking stuffers!), whether as a playable set or just something pretty to set out on the coffee table.

In today’s video, Carly Cylinder shares her secret for creating full, robust vases full of evenly spaced flowers. Happy summer arranging! In today’s video, Floral Designer Carly Cylinder shares her secret for creating full, robust vases full of evenly spaced flowers. Happy summer arranging! • The Star: Carly Cylinder is a celebrity florist, avid writer, and entrepreneur.

When we moved from Atlanta to Tallahassee, we were glad to discover that our new location was an ideal spot for friends from Georgia to come over for a little getaway. With some of the country’s top beaches just a couple of hours away from us, friends love to come and visit for a few days of catching up and catching some sun and surf. Here are a few ways I’ve found to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. Have sleeping arrangements ready before guests arrive.

Herb season is in full swing, and I’ve been adding them to my meals, water, and baked goods. I’ve also found that they make for lovely and inexpensive decorations for casual get-togethers. Here are 5 DIY inspirations for your next outdoor party. 1. Add herbs to your flower arrangements. They smell wonderful and make for a great filler. 2. Make natural herbal insect repellent bundles using mint, lavender and sage.

If you’ve been following along with our Guide to the Perfect Summer, you’re probably not going to be surprised to know that prepping for a party means that you’ll be inviting guests in and through your home. A clean house and outdoor area is certainly welcoming, but good news! — it doesn’t have to be perfect. Here’s how to make the task of cleaning up inside and out go smoothly.

If you do a lot of backyard entertaining, have the space to accommodate an average size picnic table, and happen to be pretty handy with power tools, then this DIY might be right up your alley! Who wouldn’t want a clever table that keeps drinks cool and accommodates the lazy drinker? This little project from Remodelaholic uses standard 20″ x 10″ planter window boxes for the cooloers, which you basically construct the table around.