Throw an impressive housewarming party when you don’t have the space
When you’ve just moved into a new place, it’s only fair to let your friends come over and comment on how cute it is. However, when the new apartment is small, you might have trouble fitting in everyone from the guest list. That’s only if you don’t properly prepare for the big bash, though. So before you welcome your crew into the new apartment, get ready for the party with these tips for entertaining in a modest space:
- Rearrange furniture.You don’t have to leave that bulky coffee table in the living room or a large buffet in the dining room if you won’t be using either. Hide them away in the bedroom or the guest room while your guests are over. It might not be super chic, but no one’s going to venture into those spaces anyway, and they’ll have more room to move around in the common areas.
- Consider overcrowding. You might feel inclined to invite everyone on your Facebook friend list to the housewarming party, but you need to fight that urge. If everyone shows up, your apartment will transform into an oven with guests bumping elbows. Follow this density table from Apartment Therapy to invite the proper number of people to your place. It takes square footage into account, as well as the vibe of your bash.
- Try new serving surfaces. If you’re serving hors d’oeuvres at your party, you don’t have to stick to just the dining room table and kitchen counter as serving areas. Anything can become a table with some creativity. Stash finger foods on end tables in the living room, place some platters on the window sill in the dining room, or even set up small folding tables throughout the apartment to hold some snacks.
- Head outdoors. If you have a balcony or access to a community patio, consider incorporating the outdoor space into your party plan. You might need to reserve common spaces like rooftops and decks ahead of time. Even if you don’t, it’s still good form to let your neighbors know that you’ll be throwing a soiree (and invite them to come if the guest list allows).
- Don’t go overboard on the menu. A small apartment typically translates to a small kitchen, so curating a menu of fancy fare could result in headaches. Stick to simple, fresh foods that don’t require too much prep so as not to overwhelm your counters and fridge while you’re working in the kitchen.
- Incorporate ceiling decor. Since you don’t have a lot of floor space, a good alternative to bulky decorations is hanging embellishments from the ceiling. Lanterns, decorative flowers, and twinkling lights can all create ambience without eating up space that you don’t have to spare.
- Use mirrors. This step requires some extra prep time-and a hammer and nails-but the result will be something that drastically alters the aesthetic of your apartment long after the last guest leaves. Scour local thrift stores or antique shops for vintage mirrors that fit with your existing decor and hang them on the walls. Mirrors create the illusion of extra space, so your party guests won’t feel suffocated even if the apartment gets a bit crowded.