When it comes to entertaining in a tiny home, many people consider it to be a big source of stress, but it doesn’t have to be! There are many ways to utilize the space that you have to comfortably host intimate gatherings and even larger crowds. Read on to put your small space party-planning skills to the test and pick up some new tricks to ensure that you and your guests can feel comfortable in your home, no matter what the size.

How to entertain in small spaces?

Whether you want to host a dinner party with a few good friends or a birthday party with your whole crew, there are ways to make your home more comfortable for guests. Start with the layout of your apartment, condo or house and think about where people will be spending their time, and how you can make that space accessible and comfortable for everyone.

Break up your space: Walk through your home and check that each room has a purpose. For example, you can set out shakers, glasses and drink ingredients to turn your bedroom into a makeshift bar where guests can feel comfortable hanging out. Set out appetizers in the living room and play music in the dining room, so people feel comfortable in all areas of your home. This will also reduce crowding in the entryway!

Add extra seating Use all of the seating you have available to you when you have guests over. From the piano bench to your fuzzy vanity stool, anything goes! As for the dining room, add any leaves that you have to your expandable table and break out your extra seating, such as folding chairs.

How to host a party in a small apartment or house

Spread out your spread: If space is limited in your dining room, one idea is to skip a formal dinner. Instead, you can keep guests happy and well-fed by placing food in different sections of your home. By doing this, you are telling your guests that it’s okay for them to be spread out throughout your home, rather than leaving them congregated in a single space. If you choose to have a meal at your table, you can still get creative with food placement. Spreading out appetizers on your buffet, side tables or coffee tables helps create space in the kitchen and on the table for your main course. You can also use a sofa table placed behind your couch to gain valuable serving space without taking up a significant amount of room in your living room or dining room.

Decorate without using valuable space: You want to create a festive look in your home for entertaining. However, if you have too many decorations, your room runs the risk of looking cluttered. This can make a small room feel even smaller. To avoid this, stick to simple centerpieces with clean lines and solid colors. In order to create even more space, look towards the ceiling! By using cake stands and tiered trays, guests’ attention is brought to that area and the eye is drawn upwards. If centerpieces just aren’t cutting it, consider hanging decor, such as garlands or arches, from the ceiling. This creates a festive vibe without taking up valuable space in your home.

How to arrange furniture for a house party

Transition those tables: Use your surfaces for different purposes! Take that table that held the welcome drinks and turn it into a dessert table once dinner is served. Slide your dining table to the side of the room or remove the leaves to create space for a dance floor. Once dinner is over, rearrange your other space-saving furniture that was holding food to create room for mixing and mingling. Remember, just because a piece of furniture seems to be built for a single purpose doesn’t mean that it can’t become something else with some creative thinking!

Get creative in your space: For casual entertaining, there are many ways to get the most out of the space that you have available. Looking to set up a buffet in a small space? Clear off your countertop and use stands and tiered displays to organize your spread in an efficient and stylish way. Turn your sink into a cooler by filling it with ice and storing wine and other beverages in it, so that they don’t take up precious counter space. You can even turn your coffee table into a dining area by covering it with a tablecloth and setting pillows on the floor around it. Your guests will love the laid back vibe and the cozy, space-saving seating!

Move it around: By rearranging your existing furniture, you can make any room seem much bigger. Push the couch to the edge of the room to clear a space in the middle. Alternatively, move your dining room table into this space to allow for more seating at your small-space dinner party.

Store away what you don’t need: Space is so valuable in small homes and apartments. In order to maximize that space, you may have to store and stow away items you don’t need. For example, by stashing that side table that doesn’t make a good serving surface, you’ve just created room for an extra chair! You should also make sure that guests have somewhere to hang their coats and to set their belongings, so that they don’t take up any seating or make any clutter.

Not everything is what it seems when it comes to small space entertaining. Surfaces are used in creative ways, and your rooms can transition to serve different purposes throughout the evening. With a little effort, you can host a successful party that your friends will love, even in limited spaces.