The Season of Gatherings: How to Host Beautifully at Home as the Weather Cools 

As cooler evenings return, it’s time to bring people together again, from intimate dinners to festive parties and family gatherings. Transition from outdoor BBQs and parties to snuggly indoor events, where you can gather around a beautifully decorated table and eat good food with friends and family.

It’s a cosy, comfortable, and wonderfully special time of the year, and at Crate and Barrel, we have plenty of ideas on how you can turn your home into a welcoming and warm place with some simple and seasonally-focused tips. From dining in style to games nights with friends, here’s how to host beautifully at home as the weather cools.

Dining setups 

The autumn and winter months are the perfect time for intimate dinner parties with friends and family. How you set your dining table will depend on the occasion, the people, and the event. A small party with your closest friends will be a very different event from a big family festive feast.

The first thing to consider is whether your dining table and chairs can accommodate the number of guests you have planned. That's not too much of a problem for a small party, but for a big family dinner, you may need to think about a table that extends, as well as extra seating that's comfortable. If you're unsure, try a 'dry run' with placemats to see how much room each guest has without feeling too cramped or crowded.

Colours that link to the natural world

Autumn is a time when the natural world blazes with a riot of colours, with golds, reds and spruce greens the perfect influence for your hosting colour palette. Include tones such as burnt umber, pumpkin orange and deep burgundy, balanced with rich forest greens and enlivened with on-trend metallics, especially gold, bronze and copper. 

Lovely lighting

Nothing sets the mood more perfectly for a cosy gathering than the right lighting. Forget harsh, bright overhead lights and go for soft, warm illumination instead. Candles are the perfect choice for making a dinner table feel more intimate and welcoming. Thinking back to our earlier colour suggestions, choose candle holders made from antique brass or honey-coloured wood.

Include table lamps to add a layered and subtle lighting pattern, preventing the room from feeling too dark. For a truly festive ambience, consider stringing up fairy lights for a twinkling display that adds real character to a room.

Table styling tips

Now we have the lighting and colour themes sorted out, let’s look at how to style a festive table. 

Start with the table runner or tablecloth. Not only does this give you an ‘anchor’ for your table styling, but it also protects the tabletop from spills, drips, and the heat from hot plates or serving platters and trays. A deep burgundy red table runner will work beautifully with brass candle holders and wooden serving dishes, or add a touch of bling with a gold embroidered option for some festive pizzazz. Woven placemats in russet brown or sage green add a rustic touch, or go for classic rectangular mats for a more understated, sophisticated look.

That gorgeous autumn colour palette lends itself perfectly to combining with natural elements such as pine cones and rustic wreaths. These can add a sense of season to your table. Add a centrepiece or sculpture that complements your theme, such as a carved wooden piece or a stylised animal, and you have a simple yet effective plan for your table décor.

Cozy layers

Decorating your home for the cooler seasons goes beyond just setting the perfect dining table. It's also about turning your home into a cosy and welcoming space where guests feel instantly at home. Throws and pillows create a more relaxed feel, especially when paired with faux fur or plush velvet in rich tones like plum or forest green. 

The cooler months are all about textures. Think knitted fabrics and wool rugs that add a softer feel to a room, as well as making it warm and inviting. In the same way we suggested layering lighting by adding candles, lanterns and fairy lights, do the same with your décor, using touchably soft materials to create a more organic ambience. 

The sweet scent of autumn

The smell of a home is part of its character. During the cooler months, scents such as cinnamon, cloves and orange enrich the atmosphere and make guests feel welcome as soon as they step through the door. Scented candles can add an extra layer to your home, with fragrances that gently perfume a room without overpowering. Or fill a wooden bowl with potpourri for a subtle aroma enhanced with a sprinkle of essential oils.

Easy hosting solutions – keeping it informal

A get-together isn’t about the décor, the type of flatware you use, or how elaborate your table centrepiece is. It’s about the people. For those autumn and winter evening gatherings, sometimes a more informal setting is appropriate. 

A perfect way to create a relaxed soiree is to hold a games night. Dot beverage holders filled with cool drinks on side tables, lay out snacks and nibbles in beautiful bowls so people can help themselves, set up a Monopoly or Clue game, and have fun! You can host a successful evening without spending hours setting a dining table. Keep the festive theme going with holiday serving platters – you'll find some great seasonal ideas in our New In Tabletop and Bar collection. 

If you’re really stuck for ideas, browse our Entertaining section for collections of festive-themed ideas all gathered together in one place. 

Give yourself time to have fun!

Being the host can be all work and no play, as you're constantly buzzing around to ensure everyone is having a good time. Remember to stop, slow down, and make a little time for yourself, too. Use our tips to make your event run more smoothly, and don't overcomplicate things. The mantra of 'Keep it simple' works well, especially at what can be a hectic time of the year. Why not use the ideas and suggestions you'll find at Crate and Barrel to create a mood board to inspire you? 

Most importantly, enjoy yourself. This is a wonderful time of the year filled with love and laughter, cosy nights in and good company. Make the most of it with Crate and Barrel.