Happy Monday Folks! Can you believe it’s already mid-November ? Neither can we, but that pumpkin spice latte has been calling our name, and we’re excited about the festive decor, scented candles and, dare we say it, big family get-togethers that are an essential part of the holiday. Everyone loves a good dinner party, but we know cramped quarters can make a festive get together seem out of the question for some of you. Well, never fear – we’ve got you covered in this week’s edition of Design 101, and we’re giving you tips on how to host a fantastic dinner party in a small space:

1. Rearrange Furniture:

These before and after pictures from thekitchn.com show just how much a space can be opened up by temporarily rearranging furniture, or even moving bigger pieces into another room for the evening. Moving furniture against the wall creates more space for movement (or dancing!) and provides easier access to the kitchen or bar areas.

2. Transform pieces of furniture for the evening:

We know that surface space is limited in a small apartment, so let your furniture do double duty for the night. Put a cloth over a side table to create a makeshift bar, or clear a bookshelf to make room for extra plates and dinnerware. Use your kitchen island as a buffet area, so that table space is not taken up by bulky dishes.

3. De-Clutter!

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is amazing to see how much bigger a room can appear without unnecessary items laying around. Use storage boxes or baskets for smaller items, and move unnecessary side tables or ottomans into another room. The open space and clean lines will make the room seem that much bigger.

4. Invest in some folding furniture

If you plan on having a lot of dinner parties, you may want to invest in some foldable furniture that you can bring out as needed. We think this folding kitchen island found on amazon.com is genius! With so many dining table options, including murphy tables and folding tables, and smaller furniture items such as folding butlers trays, side tables and chairs, you really don’t have an excuse not to host a party every weekend!

5. Go Vertical

Tiered serving pieces and cake stands are ideal for spaces with limited surface areas and can even be used as decor! Put appetizers or small plates and glasses on a tiered tray to keep surfaces from looking cluttered and add some simple flowers or candles for decoration.

6. Simplify Decor

Keep the decor simple to prevent it from overwhelming an already small space. Use fresh flowers to engage the senses and hang decorations from the ceiling rather than cluttering up surfaces. Dim the lights to create a cozy, warm atmosphere. Not only will it make the setting seem more intimate and festive, it will take the focus off the surroundings and mask imperfections. Use candles, tea lights or overhead string lights for ambience.

And that’s how to successfully host a dinner party in a small space! Now all you have to do is figure out how to fit a turkey in your oven. For more small-space inspiration, check out our website, and to get our weekly blog posts delivered right to your inbox, just sign up at the top of the page. Happy hosting!