It can be tough to imagine hosting a get-together when your small space already feels cramped. The good news is that with a little imagination – and, of course, the hacks listed below – you can maximize whatever square footage you’re working with to have a slamming party.
So don’t be scared of having an engagement party, baby shower, summer dance-off or ‘rent the fight’ night – or all of the above – in your abode, even if space is limited. Discard the misbelief that the only people who get to have parties are people with giant homes and share what you’ve got with your friends. We can pretty much guarantee that they’ll be happy to have been included, and will be nothing but impressed with what you’ve managed to pull off.
1. Keep it Simple!
Our number one tip is number one for a reason: We think you can get maximum impact out of your small space by minimizing your décor. A cluttered space will make for a cluttered experience for your partygoers. So pack it up and move it on out into a temporary storage unit in the week before your get-together. We’re talking wall hangings, throw pillows, anything and everything on your coffee table, bulk boxes of granola bars, stacks of towels – you name it. If you can move it out of your house or apartment with minimal effort, get it out of there.
Once you’ve got your space decluttered, think about how you can create unity in the pieces that are left. Make sure any decorations are coordinated and just incorporate two or three colors within the plates, napkins, and other party accoutrement. On the day of the party, have a game plan for coats and bags in another room (or on the bed in a studio apartment) so nothing interrupts your feng shui!
While you’re at it, clean out and organize your refrigerator as well. You’ll want to make space for drinks and mixers, as well as any chilled berries, meats or cheeses you might be serving. Nothing causes more chaos than a platter of appetizers slipping out of a fridge at the beginning of a party. Ask me how I know.
2. Reorganize Your Furniture
Hack #2 involves a little bit of elbow grease, so if you live alone – now is the time to enlist the help of a few trusted invitees. Ask your pals to help shift all of the furniture (even ottomans and coffee tables) around to the edges of the room in small groupings. Try to include some sort of level surface for a drink or appetizer plate along with the seats. But don’t stress out if you don’t have many chairs. Party planners say to estimate that only about one-third of your guests will be sitting at any one time.
You’re also going to want to move any furniture that’s obstructing a direct path from the door to the party and anything unnecessary in the bathroom or kitchen (like stools or hampers). Some people even store their rugs to avoid slipping hazards and make the inevitable clean-ups easier.
By getting everything off to the perimeter (or even off the premises, if necessary) you’ll create plenty of open space in the center of the room for dancing or mingling and cozy spots on the side for intimate chats.
3. Function Over Fashion
One of our favorite small space party hacks involves reassessing and repurposing what’s already in your home rather than running out to buy something new (tempting as it may be). Think multi-functionally about what you have. Here are some quick examples that might work:
- Use your sink or bathtub for canned or bottled beverages; plug the drain, fill it with ice and voila! Cold drinks on demand – and no bulky cooler on the ground.
- Repurpose a high-top table or counter as the drinks station. Party planners suggest moving the drinks away from the food for better flow, so setting up at a small area is perfect.
- Incorporate compostable elements from the outdoors as party decor, such as pumpkins, flowers, and evergreen boughs. What may look plain or ordinary outside takes on new interest once you bring it in.
You don’t have to throw down a bunch of money to make a party in a small space spectacular. Challenge yourself to “work with what you’ve got.” Sure, it might not look as flashy as something bought new, but it’s better on your wallet – and on Mother Earth.
4. Spread Out the Apps
By now, everyone is used to the ubiquitous “meat and cheese” plates. And for good reason: they’re tasty, they’re filling, they offer infinite variety and they’re easy to eat while standing and talking.
Another great thing about meat or cheese boards (or “charcuterie” if you want to get fancy) is that, unlike buffets, you don’t have to keep everything in the same spot. You can divide them up on different cutting boards or serving platters and put several “mini appetizer stations” around the room. This minimizes everyone gathering at the same spot (generally the spot with the food, we’re a predictable species) and jamming up the vibe.
If you don’t have much room for food at the “mini stations,” consider using tall pedestals or stands on tabletops. It will amplify the delivery by using vertical space rather than horizontal. Remember to stock small, compostable plates and napkins near the food too, along with plenty of tongs, spoons and any other serving utensils that might come in handy.
Party planning professionals say to estimate between 10 and 12 appetizers per guest (if no formal dinner will be served), so err on the side of too much. Smoked meats, cheeses and crackers all have pretty great shelf lives, so make sure you have storage containers at the ready to pack away any extra at the end of the night.
5. Move it Outside
Last but never least, our number five small space party hosting hack is to get outside at some point during the affair. It doesn’t have to be everyone at once, and it doesn’t have to be available the entire time, but if there’s any way to access an outdoor area, your guests will appreciate it.
Just as we recommended above that it can be interesting to bring outdoors elements in, it can be interesting to bring indoors elements out. Think upholstered chairs, rugs, tapestries, bean bags and coffee tables. Of course, most people would be happy with a simple deck or yard area with a few seating options, a little lighting and maybe some music, so don’t knock yourself too far out. At the same time, adding a little ambiance or flair can really make it special. After all, who doesn’t love a good strand of holiday lights?
In terms of drinks and food, it’s a good idea to have a small station set up with a limited selection of beverages, but we’d leave the food indoors. Too many creepy crawlies.
Also be aware of your neighbors. In fact, if you think your party might be a loud one – or go on until the morning hours – talk to them beforehand. Everyone is a lot more reasonable about noise when they haven’t been surprised by it. Now that you know exactly how to host a successful party in a small space, get to it. Leave your bashfulness about your home behind, and get ready to have fun with your friends. We can’t wait to see how it looks!
