There’s nothing in the world more special or fun than getting friends and family together to savor festive food and drinks, and enjoy each other’s company. Of course, that can be pretty difficult when you don’t have a lot of space.
Before you pack it in and decide you just don’t have enough room for everyone to come over and enjoy the time together, though, you might want to read through some of my favorite tips and tricks for maximizing your entertaining space. Believe it or not, even if you don’t have a huge home, it’s likely you can comfortably fit more people than you might think for a fun (and affordable) get-together.
Here are a few simple things you can do to make your space look and feel much bigger.
Double-Duty Furniture for Extra Storage and More Space
First of all, as you get ready to entertain, think about how great it would be to have more space all the time. That’s why, if you’re working with limited space, I always recommend trying to make as much of your furniture as possible do double duty. Instead of a foldout couch, for example, you can get a sofa that has a flip-up section with storage space underneath. There are also a lot of different coffee table designs that act as storage bins or have drawers and cabinets, too.
You can even find end tables that fold out to become full dining room tables. Then you can have everyone sit down together at one table, and when the meal is done, you can fold that table up and move it off to the side, where it won’t be in the way.
A Themed Dinner With Unconventional Seating Arrangements
Now, imagine how much fun it would be to throw a themed party instead of the traditional dinner party. If you have a large coffee table in the living room, you can set up a delicious spread there and lay out pillows and cushions for everyone to sit on. Some people can take the couch and chairs, while others can lounge on the floor. The whole setup is warm and festive, and it gives you a lot more seating options than just the dining room table.
If your apartment community has an outdoor space, take the party outside and add some decor to bring a personal touch to the set up.
Make a Plain Folding Table Look Gorgeous
If you’re setting up a table for the kids or you’ve brought in a large folding table so everyone can sit down together, you can make it look more festive and fun with a few details. First, cover it with a large tablecloth. Then, if you want to make it look extra fancy, place a mirror in the center of the table and set a floral arrangement on it. Then place candles at intervals running down the center of the table. The mirror will reflect the candlelight, and the whole effect will be absolutely gorgeous.
Skip the Sit-Down Meal
Of course, you don’t have to get everyone together for a formal dinner. Instead, clear out space in your living room, dining room and kitchen, and place hors d’oeuvres and drinks on your coffee table, kitchen counter, island and/or dining room table. Then everyone will have room to mix and mingle, and they can snack and drink as they like, too.
See? Even with a small living space, you can definitely still have friends and family over. Have fun with these tips and see what else you can come up with on your own!
Ready for more ways to make the most of your space? Learn to find hidden closet space and kitchen storage solutions!