It’s a party! So who needs to sit? (Source: Steve McFarland via Flickr Creative Commons)
The holiday season is upon us, and you know what that means – it’s party time! Just because you live in a tiny apartment doesn’t mean you can’t host. Check out these small-space entertaining tips, then string up the mistletoe, crank up the carols, and prepare to host the coziest shindig ever.
Hosting a Dinner Party in Your Studio? Yes.
Let’s say you want to host a holiday dinner party but you don’t have a dining room table. Channel your inner Moroccan and cover the living room floor with throw pillows and comfy blankets. The coffee table ends up being the perfect height when you’re sitting on the floor. If you do have a kitchen or dining room table, but it’s not long enough to accommodate all your guests, put a longer piece of plywood over the table and cover the whole thing with a beautiful table cloth. A bench is another great way to fit a lot of friends around the table without taking up a lot of space, and it can be easily stored away against a wall when you’re not entertaining.
Lots of Guests and Not Much Space? Try a Buffet
While dinner parties are wonderful, they are more difficult when you’re working with a tiny kitchen and limited space for all your guests. An easier option for parties in tiny apartments is more casual buffet-style dining. Guests can sit where they will, allowing more festive mingling.
Consider making food that you can prepare the night before and reheat right before the party. Paper plates and cups also make for much easier cleanup — go for options in festive holiday colors.
When All Else Fails, Go for a Cocktail Party
By far the easiest option in a tiny apartment is the holiday party that’s heavy on booze and light on food. A cheese and charcuterie plate is easy to put together and takes up minimal space. Bowls of olives and nuts are classy and compact — just make sure you leave a bowl out for pits.
You can also reduce the size of the bar by only serving wine or champagne and keeping beer in the fridge. Mulled wine is always a festive holiday option, and can be kept warm in a beautiful pot on the stove. Bonus points for space-saving efficiency.
Get Creative With Space
Ah, the old adage of the tiny apartment: Always look for creative uses for your space. The bed is a perfect alternative if you don’t have a coat closet. Move bulky furniture up against the wall, and roll up the rugs to create the illusion of more space (and avoid stains). Good lighting always makes a room look bigger and is more flattering in general. Clear off surfaces to make room for setting down plates and cups: empty a shelf of your bookcase, or cover a side table with a festive throw. Then relax and have fun! It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
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