Hosting Parties in a Small Space

Before we know it, the holidays will be here. Whether you plan on throwing a Halloween soiree complete with bobbing for apples and pumpkin carving, or you’re looking to channel your inner Norman Rockwell this Thanksgiving, you might fear you just don’t have enough room for your guests. This can be especially true if you have recently chosen to downsize your home, or you’re hoping to have family and friends over to your smaller vacation home for the holidays. Sure, it’s cozy when you’re propping your feet up on a coffee table in front of the fire, but how will that limited space translate when you have 20 of your closest friends and family milling about? It doesn’t take a home the size of a castle to throw a party fit for a king. With these clever tricks and tips, you can throw the event of the season, regardless of the size of your home.

Space Out

The key to hosting a party in a smaller home is improving the space. While this can mean decluttering, it also means pulling in key furniture that you will need to enhance the guest experience. For example, consider relocating some floor décor into another bedroom, but pull in small side tables from bedrooms or offices to provide more settings for plates and drinks. If your dining table takes up space but seats few people, it might be worth moving it out of the way entirely to opt for more chair space. People often have no problem setting a plate on their lap when conversing with old friends or family they haven’t seen in a year.

Another great way to save space is to designate a specific room or section of the home for bags, purses and coats. Whether you choose an entire room for their belongings or a coat rack near the front door, the important part is moving the belongings out of the main congregation areas to free up that space and seating.

Sitting Pretty

Speaking of seating, if renting chairs is not in your budget, no problem! You can make surprisingly efficient seating arrangements with many of the things in your home, if you just get a little creative. Benches seat far more people at a dining table than standard chairs. Piano benches also fit in this purpose. Ottomans make great seats in a living room setting, as do comfy pillows or cushions on the floor. Throw down a tablecloth and make it a picnic! Putting soft blankets on the floor with the cushions will also invite your guests to take a seat on the floor, practically doubling your seating space.

It doesn’t take a home the size of a castle to throw a party fit for a king.

Kitchen Fixins

Food might be the main event at your party. If so, making the most of your space revolves around making the most of the kitchen space. Spreading out the fare is key. Instead of having a big spread of appetizers in the kitchen, put little trays here and there throughout your home with different morsels on coffee tables and end tables. Not only will this keep people in their seats as they converse, it will keep your guests from crowding around one area to eat. These appetizers will also help stall your guests if some of the meal takes longer to cook or cool.

Make as much of the food beforehand as you can. This will allow you to focus your attention on the important parts of the meal (including the Turkey Day turkey). It is also important to streamline the meal options. Choose a few key appetizers and keep them stocked. The same goes for drinks. You do not need every soda brand on the market. Pick the favorites and stock up. Bonus points for those that can also be mixed into drinks.

The kitchen sink makes a great cooler. Load it up with ice and shove the drinks inside to prevent a massive cooler taking up floor space and destroying your foot traffic. Of course, if you do go down this route, stock the kitchen exclusively with disposable plates, cups and cutlery. Filling your sink with drinks only works if it isn’t already full of dirty dishes. It also won’t be pretty to have dirty dishes stacked up on the counter. Even without dirty dishes, counter space will be at a premium. If you are still finishing up some of the cooking, you’ll need every square inch. Put away appliances you won’t need to use and any excess décor.

The key to hosting a party in a smaller home is improving the space. 

(Less is) More Décor

Decorating for the holidays is half the fun, but how can you keep the décor from overwhelming your space? In this case, the walls and ceiling are your friends. Keep the decorations off tables to save that precious space and think up. Streamers, stringed lights and other “floating” décor will add a fun ambiance to your home without taking up room that could be occupied by guests or furniture. Also consider themed serving dishes, wine charms, drink stirrers, plates and even candles. These are items that are already going to take up real estate on your counters and tables, so why not make them festive?

Walkabout

If you have a vacation home, chances are the surrounding area is pretty wonderful. Whether that means taking a walk through the neighborhoods to look at the holiday lights or going for a hike before/after the meal, getting outside is a great way to shake things up and let your home air out. Lots of bodies in small spaces can get hot quickly, so going for a walk is a great way to cool off both your home and your guests. Lawn games or a fire pit are also great ways to move some of the party outside to open up the space. If getting out of the home just isn’t a possibility, due to weather, location or any other factor, just setting up fans can have a great impact on warmth. Cracking a window or opening up the doors to a covered balcony can also let some fresh air in.

If hosting family and friends for the holidays is something you dream of, we guarantee you have enough square footage! It’s all about making the best use of the space. You love your home, and so will they – whatever the size of the home. If you think you’re ready to take the jump to downsizing or purchasing that second home, we’re here to help! At GCD, we guarantee we can find a home that fits all your needs, and has your guests saying, “WOW!” every time they stop by. Don’t let another holiday season go by without living in the home of your dreams. Reach out to us today!