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Congratulations on your move! There’s nothing quite like the excitement of moving into a space, finding the perfect spot for your favorite armchair and finally feeling settled in your new home. But beyond the logistics of moving, a new home is a blank canvas for new memories, and what better way to kick things off than with a housewarming party?
Whether you’re hosting your first guests in a cozy apartment or welcoming friends to a new house, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to throw a housewarming party, from planning to clean-up.
A housewarming party is a gathering held after someone moves into a new home. It gives friends, family and neighbors a chance to see the space and celebrate the move.
Despite the word “house,” you can throw a housewarming party no matter what your new living situation is, whether it’s a two-story in the suburbs, a condo downtown or an apartment on the outskirts of the city.
Most people throw a housewarming party within a couple of months of moving in, but the timeline is completely up to you. You want to host the party once you feel settled enough to have guests but not waiting so long that it starts to feel like a normal party.
Housewarming parties are a celebration of a new chapter, not a test of whether your home is perfectly decorated and completely unpacked. Don’t rush to finish decorating just so you can host a party. Slow decorating allows you to carefully and intentionally curate a space you love. You can always invite guests over again for future parties to show off your interior design skills.
Planning takes some work, but it shouldn’t feel too overwhelming. Remember, this party is about celebrating a new chapter and welcoming friends and family into your new home. It shouldn’t add to the already stressful milestone of a move. You just need to have the basics covered.
As with any party, weekends usually bring the best turnout. Once you feel your home is ready for guests, even if it’s not 100% in perfect condition, choose a Saturday or Sunday to invite everyone over. If you already have an idea of your guest list, you can ask about availability before settling on a date.
Are the holidays just around the corner? You can throw a combination holiday-housewarming party. If you haven’t hosted before, check out our 7 Hosting Tips for the First-Time Holiday Host.
A new home is exciting, and you might be tempted to invite anyone and everyone. But you need to be mindful of how many people can fit in your space and avoid overcrowding your home. Aim for 10 to 20 people and account for the fact that a handful probably won’t make it.
Before you start planning the rest of your housewarming party, you need to decide on the format. Do you go open house, inviting guests to arrive and leave anytime within a set window, such as 2–6 p.m.? Or do you go scheduled, inviting everyone to arrive around the same time, such as 6 p.m., and offer a more structured event?
An open-house format can work great if you have a larger guest list or want a casual, low-pressure gathering. A scheduled format can be better suited for smaller gatherings, serving a full meal or having shared activities.
No party is complete without a delicious spread for everyone to enjoy. If you’re going more casual with an open-house party, consider finger foods like a charcuterie board, chips and dip, caprese skewers, fruit and veggie platters, mini sandwiches and cookies. These are foods guests can easily walk around with as they mingle.
If you’re throwing a more formal housewarming, you can make it a dinner party and invite everyone to a seated meal. Dinner parties can work great for more intimate housewarmings with close friends and family. If you’re moving into an apartment, read our guide on How to Host a Dinner Party in a Small Space.
Potlucks are also always a great option that takes some of the pressure, work and cost off you. With potlucks, coordinate with your guests to ensure there’s a variety of dishes and that folks with dietary restrictions have something to eat.
Guests love to bring gifts to housewarming parties, and it’s often seen as customary. If you still need small housewares or home goods, put together a registry for those who want to bring a gift so you don’t end up with 20 bottles of wine. Don’t go too expensive here — save that for your wedding or baby shower registry.
Housewarming registries can be iffy etiquette-wise, depending on who you ask. So, consider only sharing the registry with friends or family who ask.
A house tour will only take so long, so be sure to plan some activities for your guests. You can leave it more come-and-go with cornhole or Jenga, or plan a structured activity for everyone to play, like charades.
For casual and inexpensive party ideas, consider a game night, mystery party, brunch gathering or movie night — perfect for breaking in your new living room! And if the weather is nice, you can even make a backyard movie theater.
You’ve planned the perfect housewarming party, sent the invites, and now the big day is here. Make sure your new home is set up and ready for your guests:
Hosting is where you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor, both from moving and putting together your party.
Housewarming parties are all about welcoming friends, family and neighbors to your new home, so be sure to greet everyone as they arrive.
Your guests will be excited to see every corner of your new home (even if it’s not in perfect condition). Give tours to everyone interested, whether you stagger them by group or take the whole party at one time.
If you’ve set out a food and drink table, remember to check in on it periodically. Refill empty chip bowls, bring out more sodas and refresh items as needed.
Your guests are here to celebrate and see you. Spend some time with everyone individually, moving from group to group. This is especially important if you have a more casual, open-house party rather than a formal seated event.
At the end of the day, it’s your party. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make it absolutely perfect. Go with what feels right, and enjoy every moment you can celebrating with your loved ones and new neighbors.
All good things must come to an end, and the end of your housewarming party means clean-up time. If you have friends or family over, they may offer to help clean as things wind down, but avoid asking for help.
If it’s late once your guests are gone, take care of the important stuff like putting away food and loading the dishwasher. Tasks like taking out the trash, pulling down decorations or rearranging furniture can wait until you’re well rested.
You want your party to be enjoyable for everyone, including you. These tips and mistakes to avoid can help you create a smooth, stress-free experience.
A housewarming party isn’t really about showing off a perfect home; it’s about creating the first memories in a new one. Whether you’re hosting a few close friends or opening your doors to the whole neighborhood, CORT Furniture Outlet can help you create spaces that bring people together. From dining tables and living room seating to accent pieces that make a home feel lived-in, browse online or visit your local showroom to find furniture that helps turn your new home into a place where memories are made.
