apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Aside from finding another location? I usually try not to have a central table; there's a buffet set up somewhere, and people can sit where they want.

I have this same problem . . . my dining area has a counterheight table that seats 4. When I had a dinner party recently I used the table as a buffet like Susanna said and had people sitting on the floor, couch, chairs, etc.

I've been glad the holiday is about family, friends and good food rather than seating arrangements.

I love the banquette idea as illustrated above.

I have a Big Sur table from Crate and Barrel which could be considered too large for my space. But a big rustic dining table was a high priority. Most of the time the table is nestled into a corner and then when we need to seat people all around it, the coffee table can be moved and the table can be pulled out into the middle of the room.

Sit on the Brabantia bin when someone unexpectedly brings their husband and you're all out of chairs.

Buffet style is going to be the way to go for me. Also, my table is in my kitchen, so I'm going to try to prep and get some things ready to go before the big Turkey day to cut down on kitchen clutter as I'm trying to set the table and herd my family around it. I've got a drop-leaf table and the extra chairs get pulled from other places in the house. Dessert is going to be served out in the living room as well.

While I've not had the opportunity to have a large gathering for say Thanksgiving, I've seen some great ideas for small spaces and one I'd do as well.

Get a long, narrow table, perhaps one w/ the leaves that pull out so it can go from say 4 to either 6 or 8 easily, slide it up against a wall or bookcase and pull it out when need be otherwise, it stays where it is and you can still use it for smaller groupings up against the wall (or pulled out slightly for elbow room).

One such variant I saw on this idea came from a decorating book on small spaces where a long wall became a storage wall w/ shelves the entire length pretty much and the table just nestled up against it when not in use, pull out when needed for a larger gathering and this was in a long, but narrow apartment situation too.

I have a fold-out dining table from crate and barrel that goes from seating 2 to 6. The table usually sits up against the wall when in tiny mode.

A couple wooden folding chairs that sit in the corner when not in use.

A small bistro table on the patio with comfy chairs that match my dining table, which can be easily wiped off and brought in if needed.

I usually either serve things buffet style, or just put everything on the plates myself and hand them to people.