6 Stylish Dinner Party Essentials That Interior Designers Swear By

If you want to wow your guests, the right glassware can help. “My mother had these green Indiana glasses that she only brought out at Thanksgiving and I always loved them as a child,” explains designer Nureed Saeed, who splits her time between California and New Jersey. “So now I collect colorful, bold glassware to add fun to the table for all of my special occasions.” While Saeed loves to pull out vintage glassware, she says this ‘60s-inspired set from Jonathan Adler is a great store-bought alternative.

Saeed’s favorite rocks glasses might be great for water and cocktails, but what about wine? “Over the years I have come to learn and fully appreciate the importance of serving a beautiful wine,” says Thecla Glueck, an interior designer in the Bay Area. She typically reaches for Riedel’s wine glasses, precise, machine-made stemware crafted from crystal-clear glass. This specific set boasts a large bowl and tapered mouth, making it a perfect match for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, or even Merlot.

“I love a textured and sumptuously saturated dinner table scene,” Glueck says. Of course, at the foundation of a beautiful arrangement is a beautiful tablecloth. While Glueck loves to “collect and curate” a bunch of linens, she’s currently eyeing this collaboration from Peter Dunham and Hudson Grace. Cast in a stunning sunset palette, this whimsical layer brings a vintage-inspired edge to your next dinner party.

Very few things can deliver mood lighting quite like some tapered candles. But why stick with a basic white set when these flames can deliver a gorgeous glow and some unexpected color? “I love moody black taper candles that add an unexpected and grounding design element to a maximalist dinner table setting,” Glueck explains. “This year I am going to use ‘warm chocolate milk’ colored tapers and use varying heights of candlesticks to include mixing up crystal and silver.” Fortunately, this bundle from Pottery Barn is available in an array of colors to best reflect your tablescape. 

A centerpiece never fails to dress up a table, but why settle for the typical vase and florals? “I love using a family heirloom soup tureen as the vessel of my table centerpiece,” Glueck says. “I then pick up florals at Trader Joe’s and mix with greenery and orange branches from our backyard for my own bespoke designed centerpiece every year.” The designer loves this 19th-century fixture from Chairish, but if an antique is outside of your budget, you can pick up Lenox’s etched option on Amazon for a fraction of the price.

For serveware with stove-to-table appeal, Flynne Nathanson of Refresh Your Space swears by this collection from Crate & Barrel. “I have a midcentury modern home so this fits right in, but it could also be used in a contemporary or transitional style home,” says the Bay Area designer. “The pieces can be put in the oven, then directly into the coordinating wood trivets.” Since this collection has everything from baking dishes to serving bowls, there’s something here for every type of meal.