Making guests feel welcome in your home is hardly what you might call a new trend, but if 2025’s ‘hostingcore’ fad is anything to go by, there’s certainly been a rise in doing it in an aesthetically pleasing way. We’re all about transcending trends with timeless pieces that never go out of fashion, and the great thing about hosting having a moment is that any effort you make now will set up your entertaining space for years to come. Here’s our take on a trend that’s here to stay. 

What Is Hostingcore?   

The hostingcore trend revolves around creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere in your home for when you have guests over – and, some say, also being prepared for unexpected drop-ins. It’s thought to have come to the fore due to the rising cost of living, which has resulted in people dining out less – coupled with an increasing number of people choosing to renovate rather than sell their homes.  
 
With home becoming much more important as a social space, hostingcore is about taking your hosting skills up a notch, putting in some extra effort to make every occasion feel that bit more special to those you invite. Here’s how to do it. 

1. Choose  a Table You Can Gather Around   

Whether it’s a kitchen table in the heart of the home or a grander affair in a separate dining room, entertaining starts with the right piece to gather around. Choose a table size and shape based on the space you have available, keeping plenty of room around it for guests to get to their places easily. 
 
An extendable table, such as our weathered oak Turnus Extendable Dining Table, will give you flexibility on guest numbers. Dining chairs will cultivate a more formal dining setting, while benches keep things casual and also make it easier to squeeze in an extra person. For more advice, read our guides to choosing the perfect sized dining table and choosing the best dining table shape for your room. 

2. Learn the Art of Tablescaping  

An Instagram-worthy tablescape is the pièce de résistance of the hostingcore trend, but you needn’t spend hours on beautifying your table every time guests come round. Having the basics close to hand, either kept on the table permanently or in a sideboard ready and waiting, means you’re always prepared to conjure up a photogenic table setting at a moment’s notice. 
 
So what are the tablescaping basics to keep on standby? Pick a colour palette and invest in a tablecloth, napkins and coasters in shades that complement each other. Crockery-wise, you’ll want either an underplate or placemats, plus a dinner plate and smaller plate or bowl for each guest. Add in serving ware, glassware and salt and pepper shakers and you’re already most of the way there.  
 
In the spirit of being ever-ready for guests, a low arrangement of faux flowers makes a great permanent centrepiece and saves you having to rush out to the shops to buy a fresh bouquet. For more tips and inspiration, have a read of our guide to mastering the art of tablescaping. 

3. Serve Drinks in Style  

A well-stocked drinks cabinet is an essential piece in the home of the keen host. Whether it’s an understated style like our Candra Raffia Wood Bar Cabinet, our mobile Raymond Drinks Trolley – which you could also wheel out into the garden – or something ornate and eye-catching like our Gonglin Wine Cabinet, it’s guaranteed to be a hit with visitors and the focal point for festivities. 
 
Make sure your bar cabinet is stacked with a range of glassware as well as liqueurs; cocktail glasses, wine glasses, champagne flutes and tumblers should cover all bases. If cocktails are your thing, don’t forget the accessories: whipping up a Cosmopolitan with our Cocktail Shaker and the matching Emsworth Leather Bar Utensils and Ice Bucket and Tongs will turn drinks preparation into theatre (remember to pre-chop your citrus fruit so you don’t have to disappear off to the kitchen). For well-attended parties, a good tray is a must for taking your tipples around the room.  
 
Read more advice in our guide to creating the ultimate home bar. 

4. Provide Plenty of Comfortable Seating 

It could be an intimate gathering of one or two friends or a big summer party for 30 guests, but there’s one thing your guests will want regardless: somewhere comfy to sit. For laidback entertaining in the heart of the home, that might mean a row of bar stools along a breakfast bar or kitchen island. In the sitting room, a spacious option like our Pietro Corner Sofa makes a sophisticated spot for hours of conversation, while floor cushions and pouffes are great for conjuring up extra seating when needed (and they’ll enhance the aesthetic of the room, too). 

5. Set the Ambience with Mood Lighting

It goes without saying that switching on the ‘big light’ is a definite no-no when creating a cosy and welcoming ambience. Instead, mood lighting is the order of the day for the thoughtful host, and layering your lighting is key to achieving that. Table lamps around the room will produce a warm and inviting glow, and you can mix them up with accent lighting to spotlight particular features. Read more tips in our cosy lighting guide. 

6. Add Some Homely Finishing Touches

With the essentials taken care of, all that remains is to prepare for your guests’ arrival with some thoughtful touches to help them relax and feel at home. That might mean filling the room with a beautiful scent, such as our Silk Road candle (and nothing says ‘luxury’ like the flickering glow of a candle lit in the bathroom or cloakroom, so don’t neglect those most practical of spaces). It could also mean having board games at the ready for a relaxed evening in – our Bennet Leather Backgammon Set fits the bill with all the style expected from the hostingcore trend. Just add snacks.

7. Don’t Forget the Garden

Finally, as we head into spring, al fresco feasts are just around the corner. Read our guide to stylish outdoor dining to keep guests raving about your hosting skills whether you’re indoors or out.