Small Space Entertaining Tips

Photo: Kelsey's Kitchen

My husband Robby, our toddler Ollie, and I live in a small apartment in New York City's Upper West Side. We love city living, but we'd be lying if we didn't long for more square footage. I love to entertain, but don't do it nearly as often as I should simply because our space feels too cramped.

It's been a goal of mine to start investing in pieces that make the most of our living space. For many years we didn't even have enough space to own a dining table! The fact that we have a dining "nook" in our current apartment feels luxurious; I'm grateful for every single square foot of space. Though our apartment is spacious for us—it's still small by most people's standards.

Entertaining in small spaces is definitely challenging, but when you break bread in your home with people you adore, you can't beat it. I've come up with a few tips for entertaining in small spaces. These tips were lifesavers when we hosted our first "Friendsgiving" this year and fit 22 people in our apartment! 

Photo: Kelsey's Kitchen

Invest in Multipurpose Pieces

Investing in an expandable dining table is a great way to grow your space efficiently. We were thrilled to find this beautiful table with a built in leaf . It's impeccably made, storage friendly, and easy to transition from as little as four seats to 10. It's a well-built piece we'll have forever. Just thinking about all of the family meals and parties we'll enjoy together at this table makes me feel all tingly inside. I can't think of a better furniture investment than a dining table to host a growing group of family and friends. These arm chairs anchor the table perfectly with our existing dining chairs.
I've collected serving dishes and platters slowly over the years. While lots of color and pattern may be tempting—trust me I love color—investing in classic white plates and serving pieces is always a safe bet. (I'm crazy about this brand.) No matter what shape, white serving platters will pull the look of your table together. But most importantly, food always looks best served on white. Unless a piece really calls my name I don't buy it if it's not predominantly white or cream. This is a great way to streamline your dishes over the years.   

Photo: Kelsey's Kitchen

Work with What you Have

While it can be tempting to pick up new linens, dishes, or decor when hosting, always take inventory of what you have on hand before buying additional pieces. I've gotten great use out of a simple, neutral runner (similar here ), mercury glass votives (similar here ), and anytime I buy fresh flowers or greenery I think about what will last the longest. I picked up a fresh magnolia leaf garland for our Thanksgiving dinner and it has dried beautifully.

Don't forget to look to your kitchen for a few finishing decor elements. Citrus fruits, pomegranates, or fresh herbs can look beautiful and bring just enough color to make a tabletop feel special. I have a rubber stamp place card I use over and over which make the table look finished and inviting. Reusable place cards work well, too. Other things like complementary linens, silverware, and dishes can easily be mixed and matched. In fact, I like a table with a not-so-perfect look. Striking a balance between casual and put-together is ideal.

This tip also applies to the space you have to work with. Before your guests arrive, think about the best ways to grow your space. Rearranging your furniture so your guests have more room to mingle can make a huge difference. 

Photo: Kelsey's Kitchen

Map It Out

Having a proper plan in place will make things run smoothly. This is true for all entertaining, but especially in small spaces. A Potluck can be a great way to pull off a dinner—when you've only got one oven and limited counter space, having a few guests bring a dish or two is not only helpful, but almost necessary.
I like to label the dishes I'm contributing and set the table the night or day before. That way if everyone shows up and you're running behind, at least the table is ready to go and things appear to be in control. I also like to think about where all of the food and drinks will live. Using extra space on ledges or furniture can be a smart place to set up dessert, drinks, or even a small buffet. This will also maximize the space on your actual dining table.
Finally—a tip I preach time and time again—physically write out a game plan. It's helpful when you get down to the wire and you're thinking to yourself "I know I'm supposed to be doing something, I'm just not sure what it is!" It's also a great reference to have if you end up with an eager guest who asks how they can be helpful when they arrive. 

Photo: Kelsey's Kitchen

Entertaining (and living) in NYC for the past five years has taught me that you can make small spaces work. It takes a bit more planning and forethought, but the more the merrier! What's most important is that you're making memories in your home with people who mean a lot to you.

​How about you? Do you have any great tips when it comes to entertaining in small spaces?