Top 10 Tips for Bank Holiday Weekend Hosting
The bank holiday weekend is the opportunity to meet with loved ones and celebrate, whether you enjoy a relaxed dinner party, drinks in the garden or a classic barbecue. There are lots to consider, perhaps you have guests staying for the extended weekend or you want to achieve fuss free entertaining without the stress. Read on for our ten hosting tips for the bank holiday.
Declutter the Hallway
The hallway should be a welcoming space for anyone entering your home, yet it’s one of those spaces can simply become cluttered with coats and shoes. Before anyone arrives, have a sort out and declutter any items that don’t belong or could be stored elsewhere. Plus, it’s a good idea to free up some coat hooks or space for your visitors to hang their belongings.
Guest Bedroom Ready
Prior to your family’s arrival, ensure you have the guest bedroom ready. Clean and tidy the room making sure the drying laundry or any other unsightly clutter is out of the way, to create an organised and welcoming space for your guests. Having an ottoman bed is a great way to incorporate hidden storage in a guest bedroom.
If the spare bedroom is small, then consider a compact sofa bed like the Una that folds out into a double bed within seconds. Complete the space with a bedside table and lamp and add some mini toiletries in a basket for a stylish hotel feel that your guests will appreciate it.
Outdoor Seating
Creating an inviting seating zone outdoors to welcome guests will instantly create a garden you’ll want to sit in. Choosing a spacious corner sofa set like the Maia with cosy cushions and parasol is perfect for casual entertaining.
Alternatively, if you have lots of people attending you could create several seating areas with separate garden chairs and conversation sets like the Rowan which allows people to mingle. Create a stylish outdoor bar for drinks and style it with our chic rope Hali bar stools.
Al fresco Dining
Make the dining more relaxed, instead of a formal sit-down dinner, serve sharing platters and easy to eat finger food so the everyone can help themselves. Opt for a gorgeous green metal outdoor dining table like the Wilder with six matching green dining chairs. Alternatively, choose a wooden dining table and bench set like the Charlotte and Shiro set.
A large ice bucket outside is ideal to keep bottles of beer and wine cold allowing guests to help themselves to drinks, without you having to worry. Add a citronella candle to your dinning table to help keep the bugs at bay.
Plan For Any Weather
As we know the British weather can be unpredictable no matter what the forecast says. If you are planning a garden party, then be sure you quickly duck inside if there’s a down pour. Food platters and serving boards are easy to gather up and pop indoors if needed. Our rattan garden furniture sets are design with PE weather-resistant rattan, making them durable when it rains. Having a few plastic garden chairs like the set of four Raquel chairs are great if you need additional seating, they can stack easily and won’t be damaged by the rain.
Indoor Dining
Revamp your dining space for the new season by introducing some colourful furniture, our new Wren dining chairs allow you to mix and match your style if you want to create a colourful scheme. The Paul and Wren dining table set features an extending dining table which is handy for entertaining and the dusty pink dining chairs will add a playful look to any dining room or kitchen. Plus, the Wren chairs are easy made from polypropylene and are easy to clean which is ideal for parties.
Tablescaping
Casual dining doesn’t mean to say you can’t decorate your indoor dining table. Designing a summery tablescape is an effortless way to show off some creative flair. There are no limits when it comes to summer and adding colour with table décor can create a totally different dining space. A tablescape can give you the opportunity to experiment with pattern if you haven’t tried it before, choose stripes or florals for table linen or be subtle with a little print on napkins. Display smaller individual vases of flowers dotted along the table with candles and tea light holders. Natural colours such as rattan or wicker table mats will bring texture to the table and complement any colour combination, whether you keep it tonal or prefer ice cream pastels.
Bathroom Spruce Up
Ensure the bathroom is thoroughly clean before your party guests arrive for the weekend. Have a fresh towel hanging up and stack a few extra hand towels on a stylish bathroom stool making them easily accessible to guests. Add a fresh towel and light a scented candle to keep the bathroom smelling fragrant.
Create Atmosphere
Not only is it important to keep your guests topped up with drinks and have plenty of nibbles but creating the right atmosphere with music is essential. Whether you want laid back easy listening music for a relaxed atmosphere or plenty of party tunes, create a playlist of songs before your guests arrive. Better still ask everyone to submit a song to create a shared playlist so everyone can enjoy their favourites.
Finishing Touches
Whether you are entertaining indoors or outdoors there a plenty of ways to elevate your home and garden. Introduce colour and patten with outdoor cushions and throws for sofas. Style your outdoor seating area with a stylish rug like the Ardwell which is suitable for both indoors and outdoor use. Add side tables to seating areas to create extra surface space like our contemporary concrete Carlotta table.
Light up the garden with pretty fairy lights or use rechargeable lamps to a add stylish touch to indoor side tables or outside coffee tables. Candles, metal lanterns and ornaments will refresh shelves and mantelpieces. Once the preparation is complete, grab yourself a well-deserved drink and enjoy the bank holiday party.
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