Hosting a gathering should be a joy, not a stress-inducing event where you’re frantically searching for missing items or worrying about outdated decor. Your hosting closet deserves a thorough cleanout to make entertaining effortless and enjoyable. Some items that once seemed essential may now be taking up valuable space without serving any real purpose in your hosting repertoire.
Ready for a hosting closet refresh? It’s time to be honest about what stays and what goes. Creating space for items you truly use means less clutter and more functionality when you need it most. Your future hosting self will thank you.
1. Mismatched Wine Glasses
Those random wine glasses collected over the years might seem charming in theory, but they often create a visually chaotic table setting. When glasses don’t match in height, style, or size, they can make even the most carefully planned tablescape look haphazard. Guests may also feel they received the “lesser” glass if yours vary dramatically in quality.
Consider investing in one versatile set of all-purpose wine glasses that work for both red and white wines. Modern stemless options are particularly practical as they’re less likely to tip over and generally more durable for frequent entertaining. A set of 8–12 identical glasses creates a cohesive look and ensures everyone feels equally valued at your table.
2. Paper Napkins from Various Takeout Orders
That drawer full of paper napkins from fast food places and delivery orders isn’t doing your hosting reputation any favors. These thin, often logo-branded napkins don’t hold up well during meals and can make your gathering feel like an afterthought rather than a special occasion. They’re also typically too small to be truly functional.
Replace them with a set of cloth napkins in a neutral color that can work for most occasions. Cloth napkins are not only more elegant but also more environmentally friendly since they’re washable and reusable. If you must keep disposables on hand, opt for higher-quality paper napkins in solid colors that complement your typical decor scheme.
3. Novelty Shot Glasses
That collection of shot glasses from various vacation destinations or featuring funny sayings probably hasn’t seen much use lately. Novelty shot glasses often collect dust and take up valuable cabinet space without adding real functionality to your entertaining arsenal. Most adult gatherings rarely call for themed shot glasses.
If you do regularly serve shots during gatherings, keep just a single set of matching, simple glass options. For most hosts, a quality set of cordial or liqueur glasses serves the same purpose while offering more versatility and sophistication. They can be used for dessert wines, ports, and other after-dinner drinks as well.
4. Expired Pantry Items
Those specialty ingredients purchased for a specific recipe years ago are likely past their prime. Items like flavored oils, exotic spices, or specialty flours have limited shelf lives and can actually ruin a dish if used past their expiration dates. Keeping them takes up valuable pantry space that could be used for fresh ingredients.
Perform a thorough pantry audit and discard anything expired or that hasn’t been used in over a year. For future purchases, buy specialty ingredients in the smallest available quantities unless you know you’ll use them regularly. Consider organizing your pantry with the most frequently used hosting staples at eye level for easy access.
5. Damaged or Chipped Serveware
Serving platters and bowls with chips, cracks, or stains should find their way to the donation pile or recycling bin. Not only do these imperfections detract from your food presentation, but damaged ceramics or glass can harbor bacteria in those crevices. Some chips can even pose a safety hazard if they flake off into food.
Instead, keep a curated collection of versatile serving pieces that can work for multiple types of gatherings. White or neutral-colored pieces offer the most flexibility and allow your food to be the star. Quality over quantity applies perfectly here, a few well-chosen pieces will serve you better than cabinets full of mediocre options.
6. Single-Use Appliances
That chocolate fountain or cotton candy maker might have seemed like a fun purchase, but specialty appliances that only serve one narrow purpose typically don’t earn their storage space. They often collect dust between very occasional uses while taking up valuable kitchen real estate that could be used for more versatile tools.
Focus on multi-purpose appliances and tools that can be used for various entertaining scenarios. A quality blender, for example, can make smoothies, cocktails, sauces, and dips. If you must keep a specialty item, make sure it’s something you’ll use at least 3–4 times per year to justify its storage footprint.
7. Holiday-Specific Tableware
Those Christmas plates with Santa faces or Halloween platters shaped like pumpkins are used once a year at most, yet they occupy precious cabinet space year-round. Seasonal tableware often creates storage challenges and can feel limiting when you want to use them outside their intended holiday.
Opt instead for more versatile pieces in colors or patterns that can transition between seasons with simple accessory changes. A quality white dinnerware set works year-round and can be dressed up with colorful table linens, centerpieces, or accent plates for any holiday. Save the seasonal touches for easier-to-store items like napkins or table runners.
8. Outdated Bar Tools
Old, mismatched, or poorly functioning bar tools can make cocktail preparation more frustrating than enjoyable. Rusty shakers, leaky jiggers, or dull fruit knives not only look unprofessional but can actually hinder your ability to craft proper drinks for guests. Bar tools should be functional first, attractive second.
Invest in a complete matching bar set that includes the essentials: a quality shaker, jigger, bar spoon, strainer, and muddler. Modern bar tool sets are designed to work together seamlessly and often come in attractive finishes that you’ll be proud to display. Quality tools make cocktail preparation easier and more enjoyable for the host.
9. Extra Vases You Never Use
That collection of vases accumulated from flower deliveries over the years probably contains many that don’t match your style or aren’t the right size for typical arrangements. Excess vases take up considerable storage space and rarely get used if they’re not the right shape or size for your entertaining needs.
Keep only 2–3 versatile vases in different sizes that work with your decor aesthetic. A simple cylindrical vase, a medium bowl-shaped vase, and perhaps one statement piece should cover most hosting scenarios. Clear glass options offer the most versatility, but if you prefer color, choose something that complements your typical decor palette.
10. Promotional Koozies
Those free drink koozies collected from events, weddings, and company picnics don’t deserve prime real estate in your hosting supplies. They’re often mismatched, feature outdated logos or events, and simply look cheap on your entertaining table. Plus, they’re rarely the most effective insulators for keeping drinks at proper temperature.
If you need drink insulators, invest in a matching set in a neutral color or material that complements your entertaining style. Stainless steel or silicone options not only look more sophisticated but also work better at maintaining temperature. Quality koozies can be an unexpected touch that guests appreciate during outdoor gatherings.
11. Unused Candles
That drawer full of miscellaneous candles in scents you don’t love or shapes that don’t fit your holders is taking up valuable space. Candles also don’t age well, they can lose their scent, collect dust, or even yellow over time if left unused for too long. Old wicks may also become more difficult to light properly.
Keep only candles you genuinely enjoy and will use within the next year. Unscented pillar or taper candles in neutral colors provide the most versatility for various hosting occasions. If you love scented candles, choose subtle fragrances that won’t compete with food aromas during dinner parties or other food-centric gatherings.
12. Plastic Party Decorations
Those “Happy Birthday” banners, plastic tablecloths, and themed party decorations from years past are unlikely to be reused and often look worn after just one use. Storing these items takes up space that could be better utilized for quality, reusable entertaining supplies. Many plastic decorations also fade or become brittle over time.
Instead, invest in a few versatile decorative elements that can work for multiple occasions, quality string lights, fabric table runners, or glass hurricanes for candles. These timeless items can be styled differently for various gatherings and won’t need to be replaced or discarded after a single use, making them both more economical and sustainable.
13. Excessive Glassware Varieties
That cabinet full of specific glasses for every possible beverage, champagne flutes, margarita glasses, brandy snifters, beer steins, creates more complexity than necessary. Most homes don’t have the storage space to properly house all these varieties, and many specialized glasses see use only once or twice a year.
Focus on a core collection of versatile glasses that can serve multiple purposes. All-purpose wine glasses, rocks glasses, and perhaps some stemless tumblers will cover most beverage-serving scenarios. Quality glassware in simple, classic designs will never go out of style and makes storage and table settings much simpler.
14. Outdated Technology
That old iPod dock, CD player, or DVD player kept specifically for parties probably isn’t getting much use in the streaming era. Outdated entertainment technology takes up valuable space and often requires additional accessories like special cables or remote controls that frequently go missing between uses.
Streamline your entertainment setup with current wireless options that connect easily to smartphones or other modern devices. A quality Bluetooth speaker offers flexibility for music in any room and doesn’t require physical media or complicated setups. Modern options are typically more compact and visually appealing as well.
15. Worn-Out Linens
Tablecloths with stubborn stains, napkins with frayed edges, or table runners that have seen better days don’t enhance your hosting efforts. Linens are often one of the first things guests notice when they sit down at your table, and worn items can make even the most carefully prepared setting look neglected.
Quality table linens in neutral colors or subtle patterns offer the most versatility and longevity. Consider easy-care fabrics with stain-resistant properties if you entertain frequently. Having two sets-one casual and one more formal-provides options for different types of gatherings without overwhelming your storage space with rarely used items.
Transform Your Hosting Experience
Decluttering your hosting supplies creates space for the items that truly enhance your entertaining experience. When every piece in your collection serves a purpose and brings you joy, hosting becomes less about managing stuff and more about creating meaningful connections with guests. Quality always trumps quantity when it comes to entertaining essentials.
Take action by tackling one category at a time rather than attempting to overhaul everything at once. As you evaluate each item, ask yourself if it genuinely enhances your hosting style or if it’s simply taking up space. Remember that the best hosting experiences focus on comfort, conversation, and connection, none of which require excessive or outdated supplies.
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