There’s something so special about gathering friends and family around a beautifully set table. Hosting isn’t just about the food (though that helps!) It’s about creating an atmosphere where your guests feel comfortable, relaxed, and just a little bit spoiled. Over the years, I’ve learned that a few thoughtful touches can make all the difference between a dinner that feels effortless and one that feels stressful.
Here are my go-to tips for the art of hosting:
1. Prep Ahead
The golden rule is never spend the evening tied to the oven. My favourite dishes are roasts, soups, or slow-cooked meals, anything I can put in the oven or on the stove and largely forget about.
- Choose Make-Ahead Dishes: Select recipes that allow you to prep in advance. A slow-roasted main, a hearty soup, or a dessert that just needs assembly at the last moment gives you freedom to enjoy your guests.
- Finishing Touches: Even with make-ahead dishes, a quick garnish, fresh bread, or drizzle of high-quality oil elevates the presentation effortlessly.
- Guest Numbers: Keep your dinner small and intimate. Eight people is my ideal. It allows you to cook without stress and ensures every guest feels attended to.
2. A Warm Welcome
Set the tone from the moment your guests arrive. A welcome drink instantly puts people at ease, whether it’s champagne, a signature cocktail, or a non-alcoholic spritz.
Always have a candle burning in the entrance hall. My favourites are Bamford or Diptyque. A gentle scent signals warmth and care from the moment guests arrive.
3. Seating Made Simple
I always make sure to set the table in advance, ideally the night before or the morning of to reduce last-minute stress. Avoid that awkward shuffle of “where should I sit?” by setting out name cards in advance. It feels thoughtful and helps with the flow of the evening. And if you really want to elevate the evening, a handbag chair or stool is the ultimate boujee touch, always well-received. If I’m hosting my mother-in-law, I make sure she has it, it’s a small gesture of respect that can go a long way.
4. The Playlist Matters
Music is the invisible thread that holds the evening together. Curate a playlist that complements the mood, nothing too overpowering, and keep the mood upbeat. For autumn, I usually like to play soft acoustic beats or jazz to compliment the cozy atmosphere. We then usually crank up the volume and the energy as the evening progresses.
5. Flowers & Finishing Touches
Fresh flowers are non-negotiable for me. I try to buy them on the day to ensure they look their best. My pet hate is arrangements that are too tall, so you have to peer through them to see the people sitting opposite. Opt for lots of lower arrangements that feel abundant but don’t interrupt the flow of conversation. This is also a more cost-effective method, as you don’t have to purchase such a large bouquet and can easily arrange them yourself.
6. The importance of Lighting
Lighting is such a powerful tool for transforming a space. It’s even more critical when hosting. The right scheme creates atmosphere, flatters your guests, and elevates the dining experience.
- Layer the Lighting: I always avoid overhead downlights and instead combine a chandelier or pendant, with wall sconces, floor lamps, and table lamps for depth and balance.
- Dim to Flatter: Always put lighting on a dimmer. Harsh overhead cool lighting can make guests feel like they’re under a spotlight, which is uninviting and can make you feel more conscious. Dimming the lights instantly creates a more relaxed atmosphere, and, bonus, it’s far more flattering for everyone.
- Consider Colour Temperature: Warm light, (2700K) is ideal for dining. Anything cooler feels clinical, while warmer tones create a sense of cosy luxury.
- Candlelight is Essential: Scatter candles along the table. The gentle flicker creates intimacy and instantly softens the room.
- Highlight the Table: If you’re designing a dining room, ensure the pendant or chandelier sits at the right height, it should illuminate the dining surface without blocking sightlines.
7. Seasonal Touches & Subtle Themes
A truly memorable dinner often has a seasonal cue, a colour palette, or a gentle theme that ties everything together.
- Menu: Lean on seasonal ingredients and recipes for natural cohesion.
- Decor & Tableware: Seasonal blooms, palettes, and textures subtly echo the time of year. I like to add personality with small, cost-effective details, such as napkins and napkin rings that can be swapped depending on the season, for example I have little lemons in summer and acorns in winter, while keeping my crockery more understated. One of my favourites is this scalloped tableware from Rebecca Udall, which is elegant, timeless and provides a calm backdrop for the food, whilst being subtly detailed so that it works all year round.
- Consistency Without Overkill: Let every element, menu, music, and flowers whisper the theme rather than shout it.
If you love the look and feel of the table in this post, I’ve curated the pieces so you can recreate it at home. From layered placemats to glassware, candles, and tableware, each element has been chosen for its timeless style, texture, and ability to make a dining experience feel effortlessly elegant.
8. Designing the Perfect Dining Space
Hosting begins long before your guests arrive, and the design of your dining room and table has a huge influence on the atmosphere you create. Comfort is essential, so allow at least 60cm per person around the table to prevent guests from feeling cramped.
When it comes to table shapes:
- Round tables are perfect for intimacy and ensuring everyone can join the same conversation. Because there are no “ends,” the dynamic feels more inclusive, making them ideal for smaller gatherings where connection is key.
- Rectangular tables are a classic choice for larger spaces and more formal dinners. They also allow for longer arrangements of flowers, candles, or tableware.
- Oval tables are a lovely in-between, giving you the elegance of a rectangular table with the conviviality of a round one. In my own dining room, I have opted for a squoval shape, as soft curves help to soften the space while keeping the proportions practical.
When considering chairs, think about seat and arm height so they slide comfortably under the table. The design of the table base also matters. Make sure the legs are positioned so that they don’t interfere with chair placement. These details might seem small, but they make a huge difference to how natural and comfortable a dining experience feels. In the course, we have an entire module on how to design a dining room where I share the ergonomics in much greater detail, covering spacing, circulation, and proportions so that your spaces are both beautiful and functional.
At its heart, the art of hosting is about thoughtfulness. It’s the small, considered details – the perfect playlist, the flowers arranged just so, the lighting tuned to perfection, that transform an evening into something truly memorable. When you design both your space and your evening with intention, your guests will always leave feeling special.
Watch the full YouTube video The Art of Hosting, where I share my favourite risotto recipe along with my go-to dessert. It’s quick, chic, and guaranteed to divide opinion until people try it…and then they’re hooked. You’ll also find plenty more tips for creating the perfect evening.
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