When it comes to hosting family and friends, it’s an opportunity to expand the scope of our home and make the kitchen the heart of it all. When making the most of our space to cater for a larger party, the emphasis lies on creating the best environment. From the food to the lighting, we have the top tips...
Laying the Table for your Dinner Party
Set the scene for your guests with a beautifully presented dinner table. Add colour with fabrics - a table runner, fabric napkins or placemats give a hint of interest and texture without dominating the table. Add foliage to soften the overall setting, with garlands laid out on the table or fragrant flowers in a centrepiece vase.
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At the heart of any dinner party and the pride of place on your dining table will be the exploration of culinary delights and tasty sweet treats you serve your guests. Even the smells created rouse the senses and create a cosy, inviting atmosphere. Do as much prep beforehand as you can - you want to be free to enjoy the evening and make the most of the company as much as your guests!
Creating an Ambiance for your Guests
Mood lighting is an instant winner at a dinner party. There is nothing worse than harsh, overhead lighting, so place lamps and candles in carefully chosen placements around the room, allowing enough all-round visibility to be practical, with lighting on different levels, but without becoming too much. Opt for soft warm light bulbs over bright white light.
A background of music really does add to the ambience and helps to warmly fill any gaps in conversation between guests. Opt for mellow, slower-paced, relaxing music to set the tone and to allow your guests to indulge in the ambient nature of the evening. Prepare a well-curated playlist ahead of your event so the music can play uninterrupted.
Scent too is very important. By investing in stimulating all the senses, you will create a truly holistic experience for your guests. Subtle diffusers will create a calming atmosphere and add to the overall ambience of the dinner party. Choosing scents that aren't too overpowering is key, as to not take away from the wonderful cooking smells that muster your guests' appetite.
Feeling inspired to host your own ambient dinner party? Check out our Kitchen Trends Lookbook to see what design inspiration you want to infuse into your centre stage kitchen…
Images source: Caesarstone
