How to prepare your home for entertaining this autumn.
Teleisha Thomas
March 2024
As the vibrant hues of summer begin to fade, and the crisp air of autumn sets in, there’s a unique magic in the atmosphere that invites gathering and celebrating with friends and family. From the warmth of cosy intimate dinners indoors, to the beauty of outdoor barbeques weekend amongst the red, yellow, and orange leaves over the upcoming long weekends, in this article we look at the essential preparations that will surprise and delight your guests at your next event.
A tidy space is inviting and comfortable for guests so it’s time to banish those cobwebs and make your windows shine. Start by cleaning and decluttering the communal areas of your home. However, don’t get side-tracked in deep cleaning the garage shed or rearranging your kitchen pantry – keep it to the areas that you know your guests will be situated in, or you’ll end up with more to clean than you started with!
As beautiful sunsets start earlier, adding fairy lights to outdoor spaces create lovely twilight evenings at home. To evoke a luxurious and elevated mood, consider layered lighting throughout your interiors. Investment in a few smart light bulbs will allow you to add pops of colour and warmth to create a cosy atmosphere in any room. Candles, fairy lights, floor or wall lamps add a touch of ambience inside and out and unique or structural lamps spark conversation.
Autumn flora makes for a beautiful home décor centrepiece, either picked from your garden or sourced at your local farmer’s market. Floral arrangements are a personal choice, but a large bunch of single-variant flowers or foliage can make a big impact. Dahlias, Hyacinths and Celosias and all autumn flowers that are available in a large variety of colours to suit any homes style. Rustic textures are trending for 2024, with the rise of organic modern style. A beautiful standout vase will pull the whole look together.
The organised host has music playing on arrival, so impress your guests with a curated playlist of new and old classics. Make sure the volume is at a level that allows for easy conversation.
Think ahead, do you have adequate seating for all your guests? If required, borrow an extra set of outdoor chairs from friend or hire furniture locally. It is also a good idea to arrange your furniture to create conversational groupings, and include a mixture of seating options – bar, table, and lounging.
Set up a designated area for cocktails, mocktails or caffeination. Consider dietary restrictions and preferences when planning the menu and make sure you have enough food and drinks for your number of guests. Handwritten menus and place cards will elevate your event to new heights.
