What Is A Hosting Closet Used For, And Is Your Home Complete Without One?

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If you're someone who loves to host family gatherings, parties, or impromptu coffee visits with neighbors, a hosting closet is for you. It's a special place in your home that holds all of your hosting supplies, from neatly-folded cloth napkins to formal dinnerware. As we know, putting together any type of event can be stressful and time consuming as you scramble to get everything just perfect. It can be especially busy during the holiday season, a time that's full of celebrations. Wouldn't it be nice if you had a place where all of your entertaining essentials were organized and ready to use at a moment's notice? This is where a hosting closet comes to the rescue.

Just imagine having a spot in the house you can quickly gather supplies from if family or friends drop by unexpectedly. With a hosting closet (or cabinet), you can grab placemats, candles, and your favorite coffee cups right away. This emerging home trend elevates every gathering because you can keep your table décor, place cards, scented candles, and recipe books all together and accessible. It's all about making life easier for whatever type of social situation knocks on your door. (Plus, the closet can double as a convenient place to hide away those items you shouldn't leave out if you're expecting guests.)

It's easy to achieve a perfectly organized cabinet for hosting with just a little work. Depending on how untidy the closet is, it's often helpful to pull everything out and start fresh. Group supplies on a nearby table, clean the shelves, and pick out spots for each category of items. Bins are great tools for organizing napkins, napkin rings, and floral items. Look for containers that are transparent or label-able, or use woven baskets if you prefer a farm-style look. In addition to sorting your closet items by use, keep patterns together.

The arrangement of your hosting closet depends on how you like to entertain your guests. It can be elaborately stocked, or it can be very simple, with only a handful of essentials. One way to ensure it remains a grab-and-go spot is by rotating your seasonal items. Professional organizer Di Ter Avest offers a tip for improving efficiency (via Livingetc): "Store off-season decor, like holiday centerpieces, in the back and move current-season items to the front." For small cabinets, you could also store bulky décor in another area until it's back in season.

If the thought of a hosting closet gets you excited, then start one today! Brighten up an old cabinet with paint, wallpaper, or a display area for your cook books. Even if you don't have a full closet, you could try and find a spare shelf to use instead. Cover it with decorative paper — we love this Amiitay Non-Slip Floral Shelf Liner — and store the hosting basics needed for planned or unexpected visits. For all you do for your guests, make this something special for you.