Home visit: How to host the perfect house party
If you love hosting parties, we have a few ideas on how to make your next get-together easy for the host and enjoyable for the guests. Letting everyone help themselves to the food, drinks and entertainment is pleasant and fun.
It’s a DIY kind of party
“It’s nice when you make it so people can pick what they want themselves,” Johanna reveals about her party-planning style. “I’m not one for standing round doing lots of cooking – I don’t want to miss the party!” Take a leaf out her book and say goodbye to the drinks trolley. Instead, try putting out big bowls of fancy cocktails like the glögg, a Scandinavian mulled wine. When the party starts, your guests can pour out a beverage of their liking for themselves. Saves you the trouble of mixing individual drinks.
What’s glögg you ask? A drink that‘ll fill your home with a cheerful scent. All you need to do is simmer red wine, sugar, cinnamon, star anise and orange zest in a pan! Pour it into a bowl and serve with a ladle. Maybe add a cinnamon stick in each glass, just for that extra touch.
Turn your space into the party venue
Dancing, sitting, chatting, eating, drinking and maybe catching a few breaths in between - there’s a lot of things people do at a party. Try moving your furniture to create comfortable nooks where all of this is possible. If you need a chill, relaxing spot, just push the armchair into a corner. Need a space where your guests can dance the night away? Roll up the rug. Just want to sit down for a sociable chat? Place a few stools by the sofa
Twinkling lights make everything better
Lighting is often the easiest way to make your room party-ready. Chain lights, especially, are a party favourite because of how twinkly and sparkly they are. Try filling a transparent jar with chain lights and keep them near door frames, next to walls or whatever makes you happy. Don’t forget the candles! “For me, you can never have too many candles,” says Johanna. If you're worried that candles might not be a good idea in a bustling party, choose our GODAFTON LED candles over real ones.
Add a cosy touch with lighting
Creating cosy, intimate corners where the partygoers can feel calm is easy, just bring the light levels down. Pick floor and wall lights over ceiling lights to create a cosy atmosphere and soften the edges of the room. We suggest using lamps with dimmers, as you can control the intensity of light.
The cosy feeling of candlelight, good food and wine, music, big hugs, our company – those are the things that make our guests feel at home and enjoy the party.”
Johanna
A good idea is to have a one-pot dish for the party. Just shift it from the stove to the table, no extra work needed. All that’s required is a serving spoon and crockery for guests to use. Another great food idea is making share platters. Arrange small bites on chopping boards and let your guests pick what they like.
We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.
Made by
Interior designer: Johanna Flyckt Gashi
Photographer: Benjamin Edwards
Art director: Jules Rogers
Writer: Helen Bazuaye
