Experts share their favorite tips for having an incredible party in a small space
12 Tips for Throwing an Amazing Party in a Small Space
Reconsider the guest list
One of the biggest questions when hosting a party in a small space is how to provide enough seating. And here’s the thing: The type of party you’re planning can guide how many people you can realistically fit, says Jeanie Engelbach, founder of Apartment Jeanie.
A dinner party, for instance, should be capped at however many people you can fit at your table. People also tend to sit down more at daytime parties, so you should have a seat for each guest. But hosting a nighttime party in your small space could be a different story. “If it’s largely about cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and being social, you can have three times as many people,” says Engelbach.
Stock up on wall decor
Bulky centerpieces and table decorations crowd up valuable surface space, says organizing expert Jamie Novak, author of Keep This, Toss That: The Practical Guide to Tidying Up. Instead, keep things festive with decorations you can hang on the walls or ceiling. “Opt to hang decorations and keep surface space freed up,” says Novak. “Go with festive tablecloths, napkins, platters or garnishes.” Engelbach recommends setting the party’s tone before guests even enter by hanging a sign on your front door that matches the theme.
Put your TV to good use
Unless you’re throwing a Super Bowl party, you’ll probably be keeping the TV off. But just because guests aren’t hunkering down for a movie doesn’t mean the screen should stay blank, especially if you’re hosting a party in a small space. “Instead of having a big black void, do a loop of a video or a movie that might be appropriate,” says Engelbach. Try something like Runaway Bride on mute for a bridal shower, a Yule log for a Christmas party or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for Thanksgiving.
Think up, up, up
Just like big cities go for tall buildings instead of short ones, adding height to your serving stations can make the most of the space you have. “Not only is it dramatic and pulls you in, but it also builds like an apartment building versus a house,” says Engelbach. She recommends stacking cake stands, putting utensils in tall cups instead of letting them lie flat and pouring candy or small fruits into tall vases.
Separate food and drinks
Keep your bar and food station near each other, and your guests will end up in gridlock. But by scattering a few serving areas throughout a small home, you’ll keep foot traffic moving and make your small space seem less crowded. Consider handing out drinks near the door, but keeping food in the back, for instance. “This allows for better flow, and guests won’t all congregate in one spot,” says Novak.
Clear off spaces
Your usual decorative accents might look nice for everyday, but they’ll just get in the way during a party. Clear out accent pillows to provide more seating space, and consider tucking away some home decor, especially anything that might be easy to tip over, suggests Engelbach. “It doesn’t strip the room of personality and character, but it provides ample space to serve, and guests can put things down,” she says. “No one wants to carry a cocktail plate all evening.”
Keep cleaning supplies handy
A lot can happen when a bunch of people are crowded into a small space, whether that’s a broken vase, spilled food or splattered liquids—and you have to be prepared. Have an emergency kit ready with your favorite stain removers and a couple of rags. Just don’t let cleanup distract you from entertaining when your guests are still there!
Plan your menu strategically
Food next to forks, spoons, knives, plates and napkins … suddenly your serving station is way more crowded than expected. Plan your menu right, and you can cut down on the space those extras take up. “Save space by serving finger and skewered foods, which don’t require utensils or large plates,” says Novak. Think outside the box by serving soup in mugs that don’t require spoons, or pre-portioned crudité in cups instead of leaving out a giant platter with plates, suggests Engelbach.
Do food prep (way) in advance
Putting together multiple dishes can be frustrating in a small kitchen. To stay sane, do your prep work early in the day, or even in the days leading up to your shindig. Serve room-temperature dishes like a grilled Caesar salad, and freeze soup recipes ahead of time to reheat the day of the party, suggests Engelbach.
Find new serving spaces
Hang a shoe organizer to maximize storage space, suggests Novak. “The pockets can hold utensils, paper cups and so much more,” she says.
Create some mood lighting
Swap out your usual light bulbs to set your party’s tone without taking up any extra space. Replace extra-bright bulbs with lower-wattage ones, or plug in a red lantern to give a soft, moody glow, recommends Engelbach.
Leave room for coats
In a small home, it’s especially important to make sure coats and handbags aren’t hogging up the social space. But don’t toss guests’ coats in your bedroom just because you happen to have room there. “Other people feel weird about going into your bedroom and taking out their coat,” says Engelbach. Instead, clear out enough space in a hall closet or designate a space that’s easy for others to access, she says.
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Sources:
- Jeanie Engelbach, founder of Apartment Jeanie
- Jamie Novak, author of Keep This, Toss That: The Practical Guide to Tidying Up
