5 Must-Have Items You Need in Your Hosting Closet This Summer

Last minute dinner party? Stress less with a fully prepped hosting closet.

Some of the best parties and gatherings are impromptu. With busy schedules and extra daylight hours, summer is the perfect time of year for more casual and frequent get-togethers. When the fun is ushered to your home, be prepared and stress less by having all of the summer hosting essentials on hand.

Kenzie Elizabeth, lifestyle influencer and founder of Friend of Mine, posted a video of her creative take on a hosting closet that quickly went viral. She’s been called “Gen Z’s Martha Stewart” for her trendy and relatable hosting, gardening, decorating, and crafting content. Elizabeth shares the must-have items that she keeps in her hosting closet to entertain all summer long.

Related: 25 Easy Summer Party Ideas for Hosting Big and Small Gatherings

What Is a Hosting Closet?

Sometimes referred to as a party closet or party pantry, a hosting closet is exactly as it sounds—a closet that stores all the necessities for hosting with ease. These items may include plates, silverware, glasses, linens, vases, napkins, table decor, party games, and conversation cards—sometimes even gift wrap supplies and last-minute gifts. Whether it’s a walk-in closet or a cabinet just big enough for a few items, having a place to keep everything in an easy-to-reach spot is what makes a hosting closet so helpful.

Make It Special

Hosting closets can be made to be more personal than just a plain storage space. Wallpaper the walls and add funky lighting to make the area more enjoyable. Elizabeth also added a cookbook wall, which not only serves as decor but also displays the books’ covers. Her next project for the closet: a bulletin board full of past dinner party invites and photos.

Related: Easy One-Day Projects for Upgrading Your Space

The Top 5 Summer Hosting Closet Essentials

Elizabeth says that she’s always been the designated hostess in the friend group, whether at college or in her current house. Through the years of being the go-to entertainer, she’s curated a list of her absolute favorite (and necessary) items to host the perfect summer gathering. Add these items to your hosting closet (or even a cupboard) to always be ready for a spontaneous social event.

1. A Set of Mini Vases

Can’t think of a quick and easy tablescape? No planning is necessary if you have a set of bud vases on hand. Fill them with single stems of fresh-cut flowers from the garden. Pair them with candlesticks or whole citrus fruit and you have a stunning summer tablescape that took almost no effort. They don’t even need to match—mix an array of colors and sizes collected over time.

2. Large Serving Platters

One of the easiest ways to serve a crowd when entertaining is by utilizing the grill. Grilling food allows for the host to be outside socializing with guests while still cooking. Whether it’s the entire meal or just appetizers, having large platters to easily put the food on straight from the grill and onto the table will save time and create fewer dirty dishes.

3. Drink Pitcher

“I always need a massive pitcher—I love to make an iced tea and an alcoholic beverage when I have friends over,” Elizabeth says. Don’t waste time making all of your guests’ favorite cocktails one by one. Filling a pitcher with a premade cocktail or non-alcoholic drink gives everyone the freedom to pour their drink of choice.

4. Tabletop Linens

A simple way to set the tone of your tablescape is with a tablecloth. Plain or patterned, it can add color, texture, and visual interest to your dinner party without much else. When properly washed, they can be used time and time again.

5. Colorful Plates

Summer is full of color, so incorporate a few seasonal shades to brighten your closet. While Elizabeth doesn’t always use color in her home, summer is the exception. “I love to thrift a bunch of different colored plates and mix them together when it comes to summer hosting,” Elizabeth says.

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