There are two kinds of people in the world: the ones with a cabinet full of mismatched glasses, and the ones who keep buying one more set because they still haven't found the ones.
I'm saying this with love, and also from experience: I'm a total sucker for gorgeous glassware. A beautiful rim, a perfect weight, a slightly-too-dramatic silhouette, I'm in.
But entertaining in a real home requires an edit. I have to choose wisely, on purpose, using a few rules so I can keep exactly what's needed, in quantities that feel plentiful, all without turning my cabinets into a museum of impulse purchases.
This is that edit.
The goal: a classic glass collection you'll use constantly
Your glassware should do three things:
· Cover the essentials (water, wine, cocktails, and the occasional sparkling moment)
· Feel good in your hand (because you'll reach for it every day)
· Look stunning on the table (even when everything else is simple)
Start with the two-glass setup (the essentials)
If you only buy two types of glasses, make them these.
1) A versatile stemmed glass
This is your company is coming glass. It can handle:
· Wine (red or white)
· Spritzes
· Anything you want to feel a little more 'evening'
What to look for:
· A bowl that is large, but not too huge (more classic, more versatile)
· A stem that feels sturdy but not clunky (no chunky wine glasses here)
· A rim that is delicate and thin
A Bad Harvest pick: The Icon Wine Glass has an iconic silhouette with a thin stem and rim that makes even water feel like it has plans.
2) A classic tumbler
This is your everyday workhorse and your most-used entertaining glass. It can handle:
· Water (obviously)
· Juice, seltzer, and mocktails
· Cocktails over ice
· A casual wine moment when you don't want a stem (hello, European-style drinking)
What to look for:
· Comfortable weight (not too light, not too heavy)
· A shape that stacks (or at least nests neatly)
· A size that works for water and a drink with ice
The bonus glass (if you want one signature moment)
If you want to add one more glass type, make it about how you actually entertain.
And yes, I'm biased: if you're even a little bit of a martini person, this is where the magic lives.
My vote: a coupe or martini glass
This is the glass that turns a simple drink into a scene. It can handle:
· Martinis (obviously)
· Champagne
· A "just one" cocktail that feels celebratory
· Desserts that deserve a little more drama
Bad Harvest picks:
High Society Coupe - a modern take on the classic coupe, with room for drama and a slightly longer pour.
Trumpet Martini Glasses (Set of Four) - for when you want the martini-girl edge to be unmistakable.
Still classic (and very useful): a highball or rocks glass
If your house style leans more tall and sparkling or stirred and moody, choose one of these instead: -
· A highball (for tall drinks, sparkling things, and easy batch cocktails)
· A rocks glass (for stirred drinks and the one good cube moment)
A Bad Harvest pick: Elle Fluted Highball Glasses - a classic highball shape with just enough texture to catch the light and make the whole drink feel remarkable.
The rules I use so glassware stays curated (and doesn't take over)
This is the part that keeps me honest.
Rule 1: Weight matters
A glass that feels good in your hand reads as quality instantly.
Rule 2: The rim matters more than you think
A thinner rim tends to feel more elevated, even if the glass itself is simple.
Rule 3: Buy for the drinks you pour most often
Buy for what you pour on a Tuesday.
If you only make margaritas twice a year, you do not need dedicated margarita glasses. You need a glass you love that can do the job.
Rule 4: If it can't do double duty, it has to be a true favorite
This is how I avoid accumulating special occasion glasses that never leave the cabinet.
How many do you actually need to feel plentiful?
For most people who entertain at home, this is the sweet spot:
· 6 tumblers
· 6 stemmed glasses
If you host often (or you hate doing dishes mid-hang):
· 8 and 8 is a classic, generous-feeling number
If you're building slowly, start with 4 of each and add later.
A quick note if you want help building your entertaining essentials
If you're trying to make your home feel more like your place to gather without buying a million things, this is exactly what a one-hour virtual hosting consultation can help with.
Well talk through:
· The kinds of gatherings you can actually host
· The pieces worth investing in (and what to skip)
· A simple setup that feels person, not overdone
Want your entertaining edit mapped out for you? Inquire here.
