Putting together a fabulously stylish dinner party requires thoughtful planning and effort. It's always expedient to keep in mind the following mantra: if you look and feel relaxed, your guests will as well, and your party will be an instant success. When you host at home, it is important to be adequately prepared - create an ambience that is elegant, stock up on your bar, and plan an impressive menu. If you have a large guest list, consider serving the food buffet-style, with big serving platters and dishes. Interior designer, stylist and founder of Studio SCD, Shafali Choudhrie Diwanji , shares her expert tips on how to get your home and dining table ready for a memorable dinner party. Tip 1: The Four Keys

Dinners - party or otherwise - are all about unwinding and relaxing. When you host a group of close friends or family, the ambience should be relaxed and encourage conversations and laughter. Shafali says, "Small is always good for a dinner party." The four keys of a successful dinner party are: music, fragrance, lighting and food - in this order. The first rule about music is that your guests should not have to struggle trying to be heard above loud music. It must be the right music, always, because it sets the mood. "I have a playlist which I try and change often but my go-to is always a Dave Brubeck to start with, some Ibrahim Ferrer to follow, and good old Frank Sinatra to finish off with," says Shafali. Tip 2: Decor Style

Your guests should be comfortable with the decor you choose for the party. Shafali says her home decor never changes for a party, but a few floor cushions are a great addition if your guests end up staying late - this is when they will be most inclined to let loose a bit more, and recline. Use a pouf to unify color scheme or to add a burst of your favorite hue.Use a few woolen poufs to create conversation area adjacent to a sofa. They create a feeling of intimacy while maintaining an open floor plan. It is important to change the lighting as the night progresses. Install a couple of dimmers on overhead lights, so that you can create a candlelight-like glow. You can also play with some table and floor lights. Most importantly, make sure the dining table area is well lit, and the table inviting enough for guests to want to gather around for dinner.



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Tip 3: Fragrance and Scents

Candles are a good way to introduce that extra touch of style for a party. Place them at the entrance, on the dining table, in the powder room and on the centre coffee table. Opt for a pleasing yet neutral scent like Neroli, which will make an impact without being too overwhelming. The powder room toiletries are an important aspect - a mildly scented hand soap and lotion duo is a must. Also remember to stock multiple, fresh hand towels - nobody likes to have to use a damp one! Toilet paper corners should be turned in, to provide an extra touch of professional hospitality! "Fresh flowers are a good addition but I'm not very good at arranging, so I have potted orchids year-round which gives my living room a fresh feel," says Shafali. Place a vase of fresh flowers on the dining table for a dose of freshness and elegance.

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Tip 4: What to Serve

These days, most people want to eat healthy and in small portions, even at parties. Avoid serving a spread of greasy food, even if those dishes seem like the best options to soak up all the cocktails with! For a large crowd, make things easy for yourself by serving a mix of catered and home-made dishes - prepare simpler items such as starters and salads at home, and cater the rest (finger foods are ideal), to create a great mix of light and more filling dishes. Don't forget to finish off with desserts.

Tip 5: Best Host Award

If you want the best host award, always be ready 15 minutes before the invitation time and make sure the candles, music and fragrance are set up 30 minutes before. Take care to know beforehand if any of your guests have an allergy or any kind of food restriction. Last but not least, keep your guest list personal, with an emphasis on inviting an interesting mix of people who you think will get along, even if they don't all know each another.

It is always lovely to have a beautiful tablescape ready before your guests arrive - this should include candles, flowers, wine and cocktail glasses, sumptuous table linen, and of course, well-coordinated china and crockery. Instead of regular water, create a flavoured variety by adding seasonal citrus fruits to chilled water. And finally, going back to the main mantra: remain relaxed and have fun yourself. Don't be in a hurry to clean up as the night draws to a close. Stay relaxed, and spread the feeling among your guests.

If you have any top tips of your own on hosting successful dinner parties, do share them with us on Twitter and Instagram @DiscernLiving.