5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party

1. DECOR

Confetti-filled balloons bring color and fun to the party and give a youthful feel to the gathering.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // Confetti-filled balloons bring color and fun to the party and give a youthful feel to the gathering.

Confetti Balloons from Knot & Bow.

Flowers are also a great way to brighten up a modern tea party and add a sophisticated touch to it.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // Flowers are a great way to brighten up a tea party and add a sophisticated touch.

Flower inspiration from bloomon.

2. FURNITURE

Comfortable chairs and a large enough table are essential for hosting a successful afternoon tea. Guests tend to sit for much of it and you don’t want to be running back and forth between the kitchen and the table bringing out the tea and treats.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // Make sure to have comfortable chairs and a sun umbrella if sitting outside.

FALSTER / INNAMO (Table and 4 armchairs) from Ikea.

3. TEXTILES

When decorating your table, the first thing you’ll want to decide on is whether you’ll use a table cloth, placemats, napkins, all of the above, or none of the above. Whatever you decide on, make sure it has a simple pattern and a nice texture. None of that thin floral fabric or layers of lace please!

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // Keep your table linens simple and classy.

365+ Tablecloth from IKEA

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // Have cloth napkins on hand.

Houndstooth Grey Placemat from Crate&Barrel

4. DISHES AND SERVEWARE

Perhaps the most important part of the tea party (with the exception of the actual tea) is the tea pot. A clean design in a solid color is the best way to keep it modern and contemporary.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // A simple tea pot in a solid color is the best way to keep things modern.

Black Teapot by Anna Lerinder.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // A simple tea pot in a solid color is the best way to keep things modern.

Raven stovetop kettle tea steeper from FELLOW.

Make sure you protect your table from the hot kettle with a modern trivet of some kind. You can make your own finger knit trivet by following this tutorial.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // Make sure you protect your table from the hot kettle with a modern trivet of some kind.

Your guests will also likely need something to drink their tea from, and it can’t be gold plated floral china. Instead, offer them simple ceramic tea cups or clear glass ones that show off the pretty colors of the tea inside it.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // Simple ceramic tea cups or clear glass ones that show off the pretty colors of the tea inside are perfect for a modern tea party.

Mr & Mrs Little Cup by Sue Pryke.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // Simple ceramic tea cups or clear glass ones that show off the pretty colors of the tea inside are perfect for a modern tea party.

365+ Mug from IKEA

Not all of your guests will want the same kind of tea. Some may only be able to drink herbal while others might prefer black. Having a modern tea steeper on hand ensures that all of the guests at your afternoon tea will enjoy their tea.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // Cater for different peoples tea preferences by having a modern tea steeper on hand.

Tea infuser designed by Eugenie de Loynes. Cream & sugar containers designed by Moe Takemura. Both available through Umbra.

People can be finicky when it comes to how they enjoy their tea. Some like it black, others prefer it milky, while others need it sweet. Meet all of their needs by having it all within reach in beautiful modern canisters much finer than china.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // Simple ceramic sugar canisters keep it classy.

3-piece neutral canister set from CB2

Serve your snacks on a modern tiered cake stand to make sure your guests can help themselves whenever they like without having to leave the table.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // Serve your snacks on a modern tiered cake stand to make sure your guests can help themselves whenever they like without having to leave the table.

Marbled Pedestals from Anthropologie.

5. FOOD AND DRINK

At a contemporary afternoon tea, snacks that require forks and knives are out and finger food is in. Mini scones and tiny sandwiches are much easier to eat and pair perfectly with afternoon tea.

5 Essentials You Need When Hosting An Awesome Modern Tea Party // At a modern afternoon tea, snacks that require forks and knives are out and finger food is in. Mini scones are much easier to eat and pair perfectly with afternoon tea.

Mini chocolate chip scones from If You Give A Blonde A Kitchen

At a modern afternoon tea, snacks that require forks and knives are out and finger food is in. Tiny sandwiches are much easier to eat and pair perfectly with afternoon tea.