You really want to invite your friends over for a dinner party. But your (incredibly charming) tiny space suddenly feels cramped. Don’t let that “lack of space” hold you back from throwing a great get together! Here are some space-saving tips to help rid you of small space party woes.

Smaller spaces pretty much guarantee great conversations, with a relaxed, fun vibe. And usually, only the closest friends come to tiny parties, so you know you’re in for a good night.

Planning a Dinner Party in a Small Space

Is there enough space for a sit-down dinner? With a small guest list, you can easily bring your convertible coffee table into the mix. Use it to seat each person or place ‘amuse-bouche’ & tapas on the table. Opt for buffet-style so guests serve themselves.

Keeping everything informal is perfect for some groups, but you can take it up a notch for a fancier occasion. Get more creative with how you use your space and consider some rearranging of your furniture.

Move the Furniture Around

Try moving chairs out of the way, so there is more room to mingle. Push furniture against the wall, but preserve some seating, too.

An extending dining table in the middle of the room, with space to walk around, gives your guests access to the food and each other. Perfect for birthday parties so everyone can join in by the table for cake!

Place food in other places, too, like on the coffee table or in the kitchen. This encourages your guests to mill about and prevents them from congregating in one spot. That helps keep the party moving! Plus, the extending dining table quickly folds up after the food, to make room for dancing, games and hanging out.

Label the Drinks

Start a drink labelling system. Use name tags, identifiable straws, or coloured cups, so everyone knows which drink is theirs. That way, everyone only uses one glass for the whole party. That’s good for the environment, makes for quicker cleanup, and is superb if you only have so many glasses.

Space Saving Places for Coats

Piles of coats need a special place in a tiny space, so tuck them out of sight, best you can. Consider a portable coat rack, just for the occasion. Get one that breaks down and fits into the closet when the party is over.

While you usually take your shoes off, consider letting guests keep their shoes on, in summer, to minimize the clutter.

Prepare the Food Beforehand

You’ll need the kitchen space for guests to mingle, so make sure the food is ready before they arrive. Space-saving tips for kitchen-diner areas give you more room to move, even when you don’t have guests. With everything prepared before your mates arrive, you can relax and have a great time, too!

Bite-sized foods like pigs-in-a-blanket, dumplings or mini quiches go over well. Have a meat option, a fish option, and at least one vegetarian option. Crudité platters, nuts, and cheese plates are always a hit. Dessert and fruit platters make a memorable spread.  If you are going to serve a main meal choice, consider a one-pot meal like Italian Pasta or Irish Stew.

For drinks, beer and wine are easiest, but if you want to serve cocktails, choose one and make a pitcher or two ahead of time.

Decorate, Decorate, Decorate!

Fancy isn’t easy in a tiny space, so make up for it by going overboard with the decorations. Hand out party favours, string garlands, and use a colourful tablecloth! Consider a theme, even if it isn’t a holiday party. Under the Sea. Retro 1980s. A Jungle Party. (Maybe without costumes, if your attendance numbers would drop.)

Ambiance is everything! Remember the music, fresh flowers and greenery. Single bud vases will do. Unscented candles add to the mood, but anything too fragrant competes with the food. Get inspired!

Enjoy Yourself

For your first dinner party, don’t try to do too much. Follow these tips, and your party will be a success. If things get off track, ask for help. Friends are happy to come over early to cook or decorate.

Don’t apologise for the lack of space or feel bad about the room you don’t have. Your guests won’t have fun if you aren’t, so relax and have a good time. Small space parties make incredible memories, so have at least one while you live there, and make the most of it.

Even if every detail isn’t perfect, you and your mates can still enjoy the party!