Ready, Set, Host

01

Make arriving easy. Give guests an obvious place for coats and bags. Clear a few hooks, make room in the closet, or designate a bedroom so they aren’t left wondering where everything goes.

02

Give every seat a landing spot. Sit where your guests will sit. Is there somewhere to set a drink or small plate? Pull over a side table or place a sturdy tray on an ottoman to make conversation more comfortable.

03

Welcome them with a drink. Offer guests something to drink soon after they arrive—it’s a simple gesture that helps them settle in. Set up refreshments somewhere they can easily help themselves to refills without crowding your kitchen prep area. Group glasses, napkins, ice, and a clearly visible nonalcoholic option together.

04

Make the essentials easy to find. Refresh the guest bathroom with hand soap, clean towels, and visible extra toilet paper. An accessible wastebasket and a little cleared counter space are small details that make guests feel at ease.

05

Arrange for conversation. Turn chairs toward one another, clear walking paths, and bring an extra seat into the room before it’s needed. Keep centerpieces low enough that guests can comfortably see across the table.

06

Set the mood before the doorbell rings. Switch on lamps, soften overhead lighting, and start music at a volume that leaves room for conversation. Keep fragrances subtle so they don’t compete with dinner.

07

Leave a little breathing room. Clear a spot for a dish someone brings, leave a few surfaces open, and make space in the refrigerator. Your home should have room for the people—and the lovely little extras—that arrive with them.