40 Home Entertaining Trends Experts Say We’ll See in 2024
Entertaining pros share how to make your next event unforgettable.
David Tsay
More than ever, people are making the most of their time together and embracing new ways of entertaining. Whether it’s an intimate dinner party for six or a backyard bash for sixty, the latest entertaining ideas include everything from sustainable decor to classic comfort food.
To help you plan your next gathering, we’ve gathered the hottest tips from the country’s leading event planners, chefs, caterers, mixologists, plus more. These are the food, beverage, and decor trends that experts say will be big in 2024.
Top Decorating Ideas
Lively Tablescapes
Expect to see a departure from safe and expected decor when it comes to tablescapes in 2024. Gone are the days when you relied solely on flowers and a menu to add life to a tablescape. “Highly curated, mix-and-match table settings that reflect personal style will be trending in 2024,” says Emily Robinson, vice president of brand marketing at The Citizenry. “Instead of opting for a matchy-matchy look, hosts will be mixing vintage and heirloom china and serving pieces along with bold patterns and interesting textures, like wood serving boards and brass trays.” The break with rigid uniformity feels lighter and easier, even when traditional formal tableware is in the mix, adds Julie Robbins, product specialist at Replacements, LTD.
Related: 18 Dining Table Decor Ideas to Instantly Enhance Your Space
Narrow Tables
Creating authentic physical connections between your guests makes for an intimate dining experience. “A slim table ensures everyone around it is involved in the conversation,” says Lynn Easton, co-founder of Easton Porter Hospitality Group. “Pair a 30-inch wide table with some simple folding chairs and decorate it with slim candles or low and small flower arrangements. Don’t overcomplicate the glassware and pass on using chargers.”
Related: The 17 Best Small Dining Tables of 2023
Celestial Inspiration
Gatherings that revolve around celestial moments, including stargazing picnics with blankets and champagne and smores set-ups, will be popular in the coming year. “Hosts will use twinkle lights and create ‘under the stars’ moments outdoors,” says Eunique Davis, director of catering at Eaton DC. “Think rocks used as place cards, moon shaped menus and custom food offerings that mimic the cosmos—the creativity around this trend is endless.”
Related: The Celestial Decor Trend Is Bringing the '90s Back In the Dreamiest Way
European-Style Parties
“Hosts are creating an experience that allows guests to feel transported somewhere else, as popular television shows like Emily in Paris, White Lotus and Succession bring the European party aesthetic to the forefront,” says Kelsey Connely, creative director and principal planner and designer at Downey Street Events. There are many ways to translate this look and feel with furniture including French bistro chairs, mismatched china and vintage glassware, cotton linens with dainty floral patterns and food served family style for a relaxed European feel.
Sustainable Decor
Sustainability extends beyond what’s on the plate and onto the table itself. “Requests for decorations that can be reused or composted are trending,” Davis says. “An assemblage of red apples, sprigs of rosemary, foraged bark or turned leaves can make for a seasonal tablescape and won’t contribute to landfills.” The utilization of natural and organic materials is more popular than ever, including sustainable handcrafted wooden centerpieces and trays filled with candles or potted herbs. “They’re conversation starters as well as being a functional dining component,” adds Edward de Decker, food and beverage general manager at The Rally Hotel.
Related: 12 Eco-Friendly Labels That Help You Shop More Sustainably
High and Low Tabletops
Thanks in part to TikTok, tablescapers everywhere are featuring a mix of high and low items. “Think fabulous Irish linen hemstitch napkins alongside bric-a-brac from Michaels,” says Calder Clark, principal + creative director, Calder Clark Designs. “Or heirloom china keeping company with decor items from Target. The high-low mix and sharing of snap-your-fingers Amazon-esque resources makes for effortless hospitality.”
Decorative Vines
Vines will be snaking their way around door frames, spilling over buffet tables, hanging from chandeliers and tied around napkins. “They feel romantic and give off the illusion of effortless style,” says Leslie Price, founder and owner of In Any Event. “If you purchase real, consider smilax—it's hardy and holds up out of water—while Italian ruscus and variegated green ivy are also great options.”
Layered Tablescapes
Layering linens will give a table a fuller feel and make any dining experience richer and more luxurious in 2024. “It’s as simple as placing three white knit table runners horizontally across a table and then vertically positioning three colored ones on top,” says Jenny Reimold, style expert for HomeGoods. “Add in some thick woven placemats for dimension and as a finishing touch, consider ceramic gold-rimmed plates and coordinating cloth linen napkins.”
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Table Place Settings for Every Occasion
Stylish Balloon Decor
“Balloons add a sense of whimsy and merriment to any party,” says KC Cloud, owner and creative Director of KC Cloud Events. “More and more people are using them to embrace arches and entryways and for selfie backdrops. A cluster of balloons in varying sizes and chromatic hues—including metallic gold and silver—will make a huge impact hanging from a banister or floating over a pool.”
Related: How to Make a DIY Balloon Garland in 3 Easy Steps
Ice Sculptures
Whether it's a figure of your pet, your monogram or a sculpture that ties into your party’s theme (like a James Bond-inspired gun barrel for a 007 bash), ice sculptures will be trending as an unexpected decor element in 2024. “A sculpture at the center of a grazing table or bar or at a home’s entrance will surprise and delight guests,” Cloud says.
Bows
Bows have made a comeback in fashion recently, and they’ve now made their way into the entertaining space as well. “This soft and feminine decor touch is elegant yet inviting,” says Gretchen Culver, owner and creative director, Rocket Science Events. “You’ll be seeing bows everywhere—napkins folded into bows, invitations wrapped in bows and candles and centerpieces featuring oversized bows.”
Cozy, Lived-In Aesthetic
The lifestyle trend of cozy entertaining reflects a desire for a laid back approach to hosting, prioritizing the comfort and well-being of both hosts and guests. “Overstuffed sofas, plush cushions and soft throws encourage guests to feel at home,” says Stephanie Baynton, co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate. “Natural materials like wood and textiles contribute to the lived-in ambiance as does the use of dimmable lighting and candles, which foster a relaxed and intimate atmosphere whether we’re talking a family dinner, a casual brunch or an evening with friends.”
Related: Natural Wood Tones Are Trending: Here's How to Incorporate the Material
A Surge in Color
Say goodbye to “sad beige”—in 2024, hosts will be embracing eye-popping color that offers a bright canvas for unique and captivating hosting ideas. “People are ready to inject more vivacity and personality into entertaining spaces,” says Neil Marcus, COO and co-founder of HomeThreads. “At gatherings, we’ll be seeing mood-lifting hues that let everyone know they’ve arrived at an exciting party.” One color on every forecaster’s list: Blue. “From royal to baby to teal and all the spectrums in between, blue is an upbeat yet calming color hosts will be drawn to,” says Fallon. It’s also an easy hue to incorporate in your entertaining decor. “Think blue toile table linens for a European feel or blue and white ticking stripe napkins for a classic Nantucket vibe,” Culver adds.
Related: Every 2024 Color of the Year We Know So Far
Biophilic Indoor Decor
Elevating a dining experience by intentionally connecting to the outside world will be popular in the next year. "Hosts will welcome guests into an environment featuring nature-inspired driftwood, stone and branch decor, illuminated candles, and walls filled with botanical artistry,” Marcus says. “Add to that wooden or bamboo table runners that infuse the air with a refreshing botanical aroma.”
Related: What Is Biophilic Design? How to Incorporate This Trending Style
Popular Party Themes and Activities
Themed Parties
Anything that allows guests to dress up will be hot, from roaring ‘20s parties to ‘80s-inspired bashes. “A party theme creates a sense of belonging and unity amongst guests and is a fun way to personalize your party,” Culver says. Moroccan-inspired decor elements, such as hanging fabrics and lanterns, will be popular in 2024, adds Cloud.
Intimate Gatherings
The pandemic had an impact on the size of gatherings, with hosts now recognizing the magic of intimate get-togethers. “A bigger party isn’t always a better party,” Davis says. “Having to include every friend from the neighborhood or allowing everyone a plus one is no longer a thing.” Think smaller invite lists and bigger guest experiences, “Like fire dancers or magicians performing at parties with guest counts under thirty,” Cloud says.
Related: Are You Always the Designated Host? Here's How to Finally Enjoy the Party Yourself
Game Nights
Contests or game nights keep everyone entertained and amused and act as ice breakers when guests are meeting for the first time. “Consider blind wine tastings, charades or board games like couple-friendly Sequence or Cards Against Humanity,” Price suggests. Fun events like summer pie-eating contests and bake-offs build anticipation and encourage connections, adds Beth Helmstetter, principal designer at Beth Helmstetter.
Wellness Activities
Expect a surge in wellness activities at home gatherings, including sound baths, cold plunges, and yoga classes. “The rise of wellness awareness and increased experimentation with different types of fitness activities has trickled into entertaining,” Connely says. “Guests arrive in the proper attire, then the host introduces an expert to facilitate a wellness activity for everyone to enjoy, adding a fun element to any party.”
Organic Gifting
An organic parting gift is a much more sustainable favor than a one-time use, throwaway item. Garden seeds are gifts that keep on giving. “Presenting guests with flower seed packets to plant in their own gardens will remind them of your party months later,” Connely says. “Hosts will also be creating and styling farmer's market booths full of local fruits, vegetables or individual flower stems so guests can make—and take home—personalized produce bags and floral bouquets.”
Pizza Parties
Wood-fired pizza parties—where guests are invited over to make their own pizzas and customize their own toppings using a home pizza oven—will continue to be popular. “This speaks to the desire of having an experiential food experience in a casual, laidback feel,” Culver says. Hosts can purchase indoor grills for all-year, all-weather get-togethers.
Picnic Parties
From the simple elegance of a wood pallet table covered in a boho fringed tablecloth, brass candlesticks and small charcuterie board to a more grandiose event like a baby shower, picnics will be a popular way to entertain in 2024. “They require minimal planning and are relatively inexpensive to pull off,” Reimold says. “Place large flannel blankets on the ground along with round bohemian-inspired knit throw pillows, poufs or Turkish towels for seating. To play into the theme, purchase a gingham-lined wicker picnic basket set that includes everything you need from melamine plates to utensils.”
Related: 16 Reasons We're Obsessed with Picnicking
Cocktail and Beverage Trends
Non- or Light-Alcohol Cocktails
Mocktails and low-alcoholic beverages are rising in popularity, and experts predict 2024 will bring even more delicious non-alcoholic drinks. “Boutique bitters, no-headache bubbles, refreshing, guilt-free liquors—what's not to love about mocktails?” Clark says. Even cocktail connoisseurs are leaning towards delicious zero proof drinks thanks to their tasty and healthy ingredients like natural fruits and vegetable juices, adds Bryan Keck, owner of Alison Bryan Destinations.
Related: 28 Big-Batch Non-Alcoholic and Alcoholic Drinks for Parties
After-Dinner Canned Cocktails
“Ready-to-drinks have been trending for the past few years, but 2024 will see a surge in after-dinner canned cocktails, such as espresso and chocolate martinis and white Russians,” says Andrea Muniak, an event planner at Merri-Makers. "Hosts will be looking for ways to elevate their after-dinner drink experience,” says Chad Lafeldt, vice president of marketing at Cutwater. “Canned after dinner cocktails can be enjoyed on their own or alongside a dessert. Even better, after a long meal there’s no extra cleanup— just some cans to recycle."
Bar Carts
Hassle-free hosting continues to trend and a rolling beverage station allows hosts more time to spend mingling with their guests, rather than mixing drinks all evening. “You can create a statement piece that’s both beautiful and practical by placing some flowers in a sea glass vase on the bar cart’s top shelf, along with beverage bottles of various heights, a stainless-steel ice bucket, stylish bartending tools, colorful paper cocktail napkins and a wooden bowl filled with freshly cut limes,” Reimold says. “On the bottom shelf, place drinkware like shatterproof acrylic wine glasses and colorful tumblers.”
Related: The 12 Best Bar Carts of 2023 for Every Style
Martini Moments
Considered a timeless classic, martinis are experiencing a renaissance marked by innovation and creativity. “Craft and artisanal variations have become a hallmark of this trend, with an emphasis on unique infusions, small-batch spirits and inventive garnishes,” says Lisa Karvellas, co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate. “From low-calorie options to nostalgic throwbacks, exotic fruits to herbal concoctions, the martini trend reflects a dynamic fusion of tradition and modernity.”
Related: Pistachio Martinis Might Be 2023’s Breakout Cocktail—Learn How to Make One
Mediterranean-Inspired Cocktails
Travel to Italy has surged thanks in part to shows like HBO’s White Lotus, so it’s no surprise Italian-inspired cocktails are in high demand. “Think aperitifs like aperol spritzes and capritinis,” says Charlie Palmer, owner and chef at AperiBar. “Expect next summer to be an extension of this past year’s ‘Summer of Europe’ where people continue to remain infatuated with Italy and creating a European lifestyle at home.”
Related: 17 Brunch Cocktails That Make Any Day Feel Like a Special Occasion
Bubbles
Bubbles are replacing still wines—and not only at festive meals. “More and more, people are embracing and romanticizing their everyday lives with sparkling wines on the dinner table as a result,” says Hady Kahale, director of wine buying and planning at Naked Wines USA. “Bubbly pairs well with salmon, sashimi and sushi. It's also the perfect accompaniment for fried foods like chicken, fish and chips and calamari as well as crab cakes and spring rolls.”
Related: Our Guide to the Best Sweet Champagne and Dry Champagne for Your Taste
Party Food Trends
Fusion Foods
Hosts will be looking to their heritage for food inspiration but with a twist on tradition. “A fusion menu often blends cultural foods in new and interesting ways,” Culver says. “Think a macaroni and cheese samosa or a kimchi-topped pizza. One way to make fusion foods more palatable for guests is to create food stations that allow them to pick and choose—for example, a taco bar with multicultural ingredients like beef bulgogi or tuna tartar or a meatball station showcasing a variety of different meatballs from Italian to Indian.”
Related: 27 Creative Food Mash-Ups You’ll Wish You Tried Earlier
Interactive Food
Gorgeous grazing tables, creative charcuterie boards, taco and ramen stations with assorted toppings—anything that deconstructs food and encourages guests to mingle and experiment will be popular in 2024. Hosts will be leaning into themes, boards and platters that revolve around seasons, holidays and sporting events. “Interactive food keeps guests entertained while doubling as visual eye candy,” Price says. “Opting for food stations as opposed to formal plating allows hosts to spend more time with their guests.”
Artisanal Meats
Our love of all things Americana is driving the artisanal meat trend. “Think the gold rush, the wild west, wide open spaces, Yellowstone,” Clark says. “Artisanal choices like bison and buffalo along with hors d’oeuvres like bone marrow shooters feel fresh and unique.”
Fire Cooking
Fire cooking has emerged as a trend in outdoor entertaining, adding a primal element to any culinary experience. “It appeals to our desire to connect with nature and is characterized by the use of open flames, grills, and wood-fired ovens,” Baynton says. “Live fire cooking transforms outdoor gatherings into immersive, sensory feasts and introduces a theatrical element to food preparation, engaging guests in the process of grilling, smoking, and roasting.” This trend features diverse cuisines and ingredients, further enriching the outdoor culinary landscape and going beyond the standard grill to include outdoor air fryers and firepits, adds Marcus.
Related: These Easy 8-Ingredient Grill Recipes Are Full of Flavor
High-End Cuisine in a Laid-Back Environment
“It's all about creating an atmosphere so guests feel free to let loose and be themselves, while also surprising them with something they may not be expecting,” Keck says. Think caviar, uni, and Krug at a Sunday pool party. Or, oysters and champagne on the beach while watching the sunset. Or, a laidback picnic in the park with a great sauternes like a Chateau d'Yquem. All of these moments punctuate a great day in the company of those you care about.”
Related: 37 Party-Ready Finger Food Ideas for Your Next Gathering
Caviar
Caviar is topping everything from blinis to potato chips, while caviar bumps—small dollops served directly onto a guest’s hand—will continue trending in 2024. “A caviar shot is oddly riveting and serves as a touch of unexpectedness to kick off a meal,” Easton says. “Think salt before a tequila shot.” Caviar bars, where guests try a variety of caviar options, will feature experts to educate guests on all things caviar,” Culver adds.
Related: What is Caviar? A Complete Guide to Caviar
Plant-Based Foods
“The interest in plant-based ingredients, including mushroom and sea-sourced ingredients like seaweed, kombu, kelp, wakame and sea lettuce, will continue to swell in 2024,” says Gustavo Pinet, executive chef at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. “Everyone is trying to be more climate conscious and manage their impact on the earth,” adds Fallon Carter, founder and creative director of Fallon Carter Intentional Destination Events. While adopting a plant-based diet, we’re doing our part and taking small steps towards a better future.”
Related: 16 Vegan Dinner Recipes that Deliver Big Plant-Based Flavor
Classic Comfort Foods
Elevated old-school food staples will be trending in 2024. “Think banana splits created out of a gourmet gelato, Marcona almonds, Luxardo cherries, a high-end chocolate sauce and a touch of sea salt,” Helmstetter says. “Along with Italian custard paired with roasted bananas and chocolate fondente.” There will also be an abundance of grilled cheese recipes for a more mature adult palate, adds Bonnie Kaufman, an associate brand manager at Marin French Cheese Co., who adds fondue will also have its own renaissance.
Related: 36 Recipes for Cozy Fall Comfort Foods to Make This Autumn
Family-Style Dining
Hosts will be passing on traditional plated meals and instead opting for a more communal family style service in 2024. “Platters of main dishes and sides will be placed along the table so guests are able to choose what they like,” Cloud says. “The act of passing food from person-to-person creates the same communal feel as sitting down with family for a holiday meal.”
Pairing High and Low Cuisine
Think chilled oysters and crab legs with French fries or pizza slices topped with caviar. “Similar to nostalgic desserts, there’s something unexpected and exciting about a menu that combines the fanciest of foods with everyone's favorites,” Helmstetter says. “The juxtaposition is surprising, yet delightful. And obviously, delicious to boot.”
Interactive Raw Bars
In addition to beautiful displays of shrimp, crab, caviar and all the accompanying sauces, many hosts will be adding an interactive element to their raw bar with a chef on-site to shuck oysters and provide a lesson in seafood. “Including a collaborative element to the display keeps guests entertained and impressed,” Cloud says.
Related: Sushi Bakes Are All Over TikTok—Are They the Next Must-Try FoodTok Trend?
Main Course Charcuterie Boards
One-part delicious feast, one-part design trend, charcuterie boards are getting bigger and bolder in part due to the continued emphasis on sustainability and reducing food waste. “Expect to see full table charcuterie boards acting as the main meal for a lunch or dinner gathering,” Connely says. Made up of meat, cheese, crackers, jams, spreads, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers, expansive charcuterie boards will line entire lengths of tables, allowing guests to eat and converse while looking at a gorgeous spread of food. "What’s great about boards is you can create one that suits just about any diet, taste, or budget. They come together quickly, guests can nibble all evening, and you won’t be left with pots and pans to clean up,” adds Sarah Healy, senior vice president of marketing at Cabot Creamery Cooperative.
Related: 4 Steps to a Gorgeous Charcuterie Board Your Guests Will Devour
Sesame-Laced Desserts
“Sesame has been a novelty ingredient in cookies and cheesecakes but will become more of a staple in the new year,” says Ann Ziata, chef at the Institute of Culinary Education. “Think sesame seed chocolate chip cookies, vanilla ice cream with sesame caramel and brownies with chunks of halvah.”
Related: Black Sesame Seeds Are a Benefit-Packed Addition to Any Meal
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