Tips for Throwing a Successful Decor Swap

Curate the guest list carefully. To ensure that everyone finds something that they love, it’s important to curate your guest list carefully.

“Running a successful home decor swap is all about having the right people and items involved,” says Raf Michalowski, an interior designer and founder of Meble Furniture. “It’s important to gather friends and acquaintances who have similar tastes in design so that you know the pieces that are being swapped will find good homes.”

Be specific about the types of items guests can bring. Let your guests know ahead of time what kinds of items are acceptable for the swap. This will prevent confusion and ensure that everyone is prepared and knows what to expect. If anyone in the group has allergies or health concerns, for example, you can make sure that the guest list is composed of people without pets or smokers in the house.

You can even set a theme for the party, says author and professional organizer Bonnie Borromeo Tomlinson. She suggests decor swap themes like holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween), decor by room (kitchen, living room, dining room), or by type of item (like glassware).

Limit the number of items per guest. Setting a limit on the number of items each guest can bring to swap is a good idea to prevent things from getting disorganized and overwhelming. Depending on how many people will be attending the swap, you can ask that guests bring between 5 to 10 items each. If the swap is geared toward larger items, you might lower that number. Just make sure everyone is on the same page for a fair exchange.

Dedicate a space to showcase items. Setting aside a dedicated space to showcase the items available to swap is a great way to keep things organized and help guests visualize each piece properly. This also prevents all of the items from ending up in a large pile on the floor.

Create an inviting atmosphere. Just like any other party, creating a comfortable atmosphere for your guests will go a long way toward the overall success and enjoyment of the gathering. Make sure there’s enough seating, play some music, and offer some light snacks and refreshments or host it potluck-style.

Have a plan for leftovers. Inevitably there will be some items that don’t get claimed. Being prepared with a plan for these leftovers will help to ensure they don’t just become someone’s clutter again, Tomlinson says. Perhaps you will donate them to your local thrift store or offer them up for free in your local “Buy Nothing” Facebook group. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you let your guests know what the plan is ahead of time.

By Cori Sears. Copyright 2023 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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