Hosting at home is an excellent way to enjoy a leisurely catch-up with friends—no reservations or expensive restaurant bills necessary—yet still, the concept of entertaining is daunting for many. What’s the best way to manage party prep and clean-up? What if your guests don’t feel at home in your space?
Thankfully, professional event planners have a ton of tried-and-true hacks for how to make at-home entertaining more seamless, and, well, fun! Below, you’ll find insights from five pros. Read on for their top tips, then go ahead and text the group chat—dinner’s at your place next weekend!
1. Stagger Your Prep
Misse Daniel, the founder of Honey Bee Weddings & Events, knows that staggering her prep schedule is the best way to stay sane prior to an at-home gathering. “Don't try to do everything at once,” she says. Instead, break up your to-dos into smaller daily tasks. “I recommend deep cleaning your home three days before the event, and then setting up the physical party space two days in advance,” she offers. “This allows me to actually enjoy the anticipation and positive energy of the space before my guests arrive, rather than rushing at the last minute.”
2. Work Backwards
To improve your time management skills prior to throwing a party, consider this tip from Julian Leaver, the founder of Julian Leaver Events. “I always work backwards from the first guest arriving, and instead of making a to-do list, I assign every task a time,” he says. “If guests arrive at 6:00 p.m., maybe candles are lit at 5:45, food goes in the oven at 5:20, and the dishwasher starts at 4:30. A timeline removes the last-minute chaos because every decision has already been made.”
3. Pre-Batch Your Cocktails
No one wants to spend the entire evening playing bartender in their own home. As such, David Litwak, the founder and CEO of Maxwell Social, recommends batching a signature drink ahead of time so that guests can help themselves. “You should always strive to be intentional about what you serve,” Litwak adds. “You should choose the drinks based on the kind of event you're having and the meal.”
4. Call in a Cleaning Pro
If your budget allows, consider hiring professional cleaning help either before and/or after your party. “For big parties or gatherings, I always pre-book a cleaning service for the morning after our event,” says Tabitha Roberts, the founder of Roberts & Co. Events. “Hosting is exhausting; the prep is time-consuming, so having an extra hand is worth the investment after a great party or social gathering.”
5. Check Your Notes
Daniel likes to have a few different types of notes on hand to consult pre-party. “I keep a running list of what worked after every gathering,” she says. “Each time you entertain, use that as your template for your next event!” Daniel also uses Google Docs to create a detailed menu plan prior to each get-together at her house. “I add a column that lists the serving pieces and utensils,” she explains. “Two days before the party, I set out every single serving dish and utensil as well as dinnerware and napkins.”
6. Do a Quick Walkthrough
Take a moment to evaluate your home through guests’ eyes before they ring the doorbell. “I literally imagine arriving as a guest,” explains Sarah True, the founder of True Event. “Where do I set my drink? Is the lighting warm? Is there music playing? Does the powder room have fresh hand towels and a scented candle? Those little moments are often what people remember most, even if they never realize why everything felt so effortless.”
This is a habit of Leaver’s, too. “I literally enter my house through the front door and walk the path every guest will take,” he shares. “It helps me catch the little things you stop noticing when you live there, like a burnt-out lightbulb, shoes by the door, an overflowing recycling bin, or a bathroom missing hand towels.”
Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelancer who produces interior design, travel and lifestyle content. Her work is featured in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Country Living. Plus, her personal spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz and more.
