There’s something special about gathering at home. The pace softens, and a simple supper becomes a reason to linger. Whether it’s a last-minute invite or something more intentional, hosting doesn’t need to feel elaborate. In fact, the best dinner parties are often the simplest—anchored by ease, texture, and the joy of good company.
Whether you’re gathering close friends or hosting a spur-of-the-moment meal, here’s your go-to edit for creating a dinner party that feels just right—made memorable with Hearth Co.’s most-loved entertaining staples.
Set the Mood First, Then the Table
Before anyone sits down, it’s the mood that sets the tone. Light a few candles—different heights, slightly mismatched holders, scattered down the centre of the table or around the room. Keep overhead lighting low, if at all. Drape a throw over the back of a chair or two so guests can settle in and truly relax once the sun dips.
Make It Your Own:
Look for handwoven blankets in soft, natural fibres. They’re as much about signalling comfort as they are warmth.
Our Picks:
Stansborough Brushed Wool Cloud Blanket
Stansborough Brushed Wool Throw
A Table That Invites Touch
Skip stiff place settings and lean into layers: linen napkins, textured ceramics, and serving pieces that feel collected rather than coordinated. A ceramic bowl with generous edges or a hand-glazed platter becomes the focal point when filled with fresh produce. And if you’re short on florals, a sprig of olive, budding branches, or even leftover herbs in a bud vase can do the trick.
Make It Your Own:
Choose vessels with weight and warmth—each one a conversation starter in its own right.
Our Picks:
Large Vintage Ceramic Plate
Vintage Italian Marble Vase
Linen Napkins
Linen Tablecloths
The Soundtrack: Warm, Not Sleepy
Think of your playlist like your wine selection: smooth, subtle, but with personality. Start with something atmospheric and let it shift gently as the evening progresses. No sharp transitions, no show-stoppers that’ll take away from the conversation. Just a steady hum of mood.
Need a hand? We’ve picked a dinner party playlist just for the occasion.
Keep the Menu Simple + Shared
Meals shine when shared—grilled vegetables on wide platters, brothy soups in mismatched bowls, or a fresh tart cut at the table. Prep ahead where possible, and choose one focal point to elevate—like a perfect loaf of bread, a homemade dessert, or a beautiful bottle of wine.
Make It Your Own:
Use lidded ceramic pieces to keep food warm at the table, or let them double as oven-to-table serveware. Large platters encourage family-style serving—and going back for seconds.
Our Picks:
Masala Flat Plates
Marble Cheese Plate with Glass Dome
Fluted Marble Bowl
Finish With Ritual
Linger over dessert. Top up glasses. Pass around a pot of herbal tea or something stronger. Light a new candle. Let the evening trail off slowly, like good music or a great story. Quiet rituals shared with loved ones are what make a house a home—pieces made to gather around, not save for later. Whether you’re setting the table for two or ten, perfection isn’t the goal. It just needs to feel like you.
Make It Your Own:
Endings don’t need to be grand to be memorable. Serve after-dinner drinks in small, distinctive vessels or pour tea into handmade mugs that feel good to hold. These little rituals create intimacy and extend the evening in the simplest way.