Tips for throwing an unforgettable soiree

At Home, we want you to feel houseproud. We’ve designed our buildings and curated our spaces with a simple goal: we want you to love where you live and find joy in your everyday experiences.

Of course, half of the appeal of this joy is sharing it with those close to you – so why not throw a dinner party? We’ve got some tips to help keep things running smoothly, so you can focus on the fun.

And if you want to take your party to the next level – book one of our luxurious private dining rooms where immaculate design meets entertaining ease.

1. Craft the guestlist

You’ll need to be a little strategic about who’s coming to dinner, as it will impact your logistics. Six people or fewer are going to be much easier to cater for than 10 or more. If you are inviting a large group, consider serving something you can largely pre-prepare that doesn’t require a lot of assembly.

Tapas is a good option. Or, reach for a cookbook that showcases dynamic flavours with minimum fuss. We’re fans of titles like Ottolenghi’s aptly named Simple, which also includes seasonal menu guides and ‘cook before’ recommendations.

2. Know your menu

Now is not the time to experiment with complicated new dishes, lest you end up frantically googling ‘How to temper chocolate’ while your guests wait for dessert. When you’re hosting, it’s best to stick with tried-and-true recipes that you know well.

If you do want to experiment with new dishes, it’s a good idea to give them a dry run in the days or weeks before your dinner party. This will also give you some good insights into the timing and prep needed for each dish.

And speaking of timing, you don’t want to spend your entire night in the kitchen. Avoid serving fussy food that’ll keep you tied up instead of mixing with your guests.

After all, this is your party too. If you’re looking for a low-effort, high-impact dessert – a market-sourced cheese plate never fails. Or, Home residents can pick up an assortment of pastries downstairs at Au79 (and we won’t tell if you pass them off as homemade).

3. Give yourself time

Make sure you’ve done your shopping in advance, and double check you’ve got all your essential ingredients. You don’t want to have to dash to the shops for thyme when you’re almost out of, well, time.

If you’re able to tick any cooking off your to-do list the day before, take the opportunity. Even pre-prepping simple things like sauces and dressings will save you time (and stress). The day of your dinner party, be kind to yourself and start setting up early to get everything ready. If you’re hosting in your own space, you’ll want to tidy up key areas (think: kitchen, living room, bathrooms).

As the hour approaches, it’s time to set the mood. Light some candles, put on your favourite playlist and pour yourself a drink. Set the table and put out a starter – ready for that one friend who always arrives early.