I recently moved (and finally got a sofa!) and am considering allowing people inside to see it, to mix and mingle and break in this new place. But it's pretty small so it takes a little bit of strategy in addition to the normal prep for a housewarming. Jump below for some of the most useful tips I've come across.
For a housewarming party in a small space I'm imagining some food, plenty to drink and lots of nice people.
Clean up. People will be snooping and there's never a second chance to make a first impression.
Use the Coffee Table as a table. Clear it off and keep it stocked with napkins and space for people's drinks. Or set it up like a buffet for people to circle around and eat off of like gregory used to do.
Alternative Seating like stools, poufs and pillows on the floor will open up space for people. You can also just make them stand!
Set Up The Bar with enough room around it that people can gather. There's always a crowd so don't put it right by the front door where people are going in and out.
Keep the Lighting Flattering: there is nothing less flattering than an overhead light. Get the lamps on, have them on dimmers or switch out the bulbs for a lower wattage. Don't forget to address the lighting in the bathroom. And while you're at it, you might want to depersonalize the bathroom a bit too.
Party Proof The House . Especially in a small space where people will be bumping into furniture, etc. move the breakables, or at least anchor them with some earthquake putty.
A Place for Coats and Bags. My living room is so small that if two people came in with coats and bags, then I would have to turn people away, I'd be full. So without a coat closet, that means it all goes on the bed. This frees up tons of space and means I can invite more people ;)
Shoes on or Off this is always a raging debate, but decide ahead of time and make sure you've got room for people's shoes and perhaps give them a courtesy heads up that their socks or feet will be on display for the party.
Music: Grace is our go-to for music advice (see here so she's the first to point out the importance of your party playlist. Don't leave it till the last minute. And put it on a half hour before guests arrive so that you get into the party spirit.
Stock up on Supplies like toilet paper, paper towels or dishtowels, and plenty of trashbags. And make sure the trash is in a convenient spot. How many times have you been at a party, been done with a napkin or a disposable plate or glass and had no idea where to throw it away?
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I gave one recently in a fairly large place, and I was shocked when everyone seemed to appear at the same time. I assumed (incorrectly) it would be a nice quiet come-and-go for a few hours. So, if you don't want everyone showing up at the same time, vary your times on your invitations.
I have a small place. It won't fit more than six people at a time comfortably, at least unless you sacrifice sitting areas.
The main suggestion I'd have to deal with this is, instead of having everyone over at once, time it so people come throughout the day. That way you're not overcrowded or overwhelmed, and you can get all your different groups of friends to come.
Unless that is the only room of the place in the picture, it is NOT a small space.
That room is the size of a home in the burbs.
@ChrisGal & luvdecor, I recognize that pic from a house tour a while ago, I think it's just being used to illustrate a party and not actually the poster's home
I have had about 30 people at my 400-ish sq. ft studio, and could have had more comfortably... there was a post a while ago on party density, and a lot of people were surprised at the number of people that it suggested. I'm just saying, there are many different types of parties (I wouldn't have a dinner party for that many people, obviously), but there is nothing wrong with having a lot of people in a small space as long as it is an organized small space. The layout of a space is much more important than the square footage. And don't forget to utilize outdoor spaces you have access to, like your building's roof or front porch.
Depending on the layout of the room and type of bedroom furniture you have the bedroom can be turned into added party space in a pinch. Put the bed in front of the closet so prying eyes are kept out and pad the back of the bed with pillows to convert the bed into a sofa. Hangers on the shower curtain rod can double as a coat rack but make sure it can take the weight otherwise use one of those rails they use in clothing stores with wheels on them and put it in the shower area or tub.
Buffet style serving is best when space is a premium. Check out this article about when you've got too many ppl for the available space:
http://www.thegracioushost.com.au/easy-entertaining/making-room-for-too-many-guests/
If you have outdoor space wait until the weather is nice. You can accomodate a lot more people on a small patio. Have the party during a weekend afternoon and clearly label the invites with a from-to time and "Open House" instead of "Party"
I had my New Year's dinner in my apt's living and dining which is aprox... 10x20' for 10 people..
All furniture went to the walls... lot's of lighting, every unnecessary piece of decoration was put away.... the food was all buffet style, and made the center of attention... on one side of the room and the drinks on the other....
It's good to leave as much empty space in the middle of the room as possible so guests don't feel enclosed... and move freely (hehehe, well there is not much space anyway).
You as a host have to be super attentive to every need... if someone is emptying his plate...offer to serve more... or just ask to take his plate from him and out of the way....
Whatever prep that needs to be done should be done in the kitchen area out of everyone's way....guests don't need to see the mechanics... just the wonderful results.
The trick is to keep everything as visually clear as possible.
I had my New Year's dinner in my apt's living and dining which is aprox... 10x20' for 10 people..
All furniture went to the walls... lot's of lighting, every unnecessary piece of decoration was put away.... the food was all buffet style, and made the center of attention... on one side of the room and the drinks on the other....
It's good to leave as much empty space in the middle of the room as possible so guests don't feel enclosed... and move freely (hehehe, well there is not much space anyway).
You as a host have to be super attentive to every need... if someone is emptying his plate...offer to serve more... or just ask to take his plate from him and out of the way....
Whatever prep that needs to be done should be done in the kitchen area out of everyone's way....guests don't need to see the mechanics... just the wonderful results.
The trick is to keep everything as visually clear as possible.
My bedroom is right next to the living room so when we have a party I set up the bar in there. Plenty of room for folks to get a drink and it saves space on the dining room table for all the food.
My biggest problem with having parties in my third floor, one-bedroom apartment is dealing with trash, recyclables and dirty dishes. I usually just end up letting all the empty beer bottles accumulate on my coffee table. Any suggestions?
We have a TINY space, but our friends always love it for parties!
Our tiny living room has a floor-to-almost ceiling window that looks out onto the front patio, so an indoor-outdoor party works out pretty well! We have a tree overhanging the patio with some twinkle lights, which looks cute.
The fact that we have almost zero furniture works out fine... it means more space for playing Dance Central!
A friend of ours always lends us his little grill and a bunch of folding chairs, so we're all set!
I agree with the buffet idea if you're having a lot of people over. Another thing is stations. Have the bar separate from the buffet, place bowls of nibbles on coffee and side tables or tableclothed folding snack tables so those who are waiting to get to the buffet might be able to get a bit of something to take the edge off hunger while they're waiting and the throngs at the bar won't interfere with those queued up for food and vice versa. I also have large spigoted acrylic jars (Pottery Barn Summer Catalog) for beverages...I usually keep one full of ice water and the other full of a pre-made cocktail for fast drink dispensing.
For the buffet, to increase space, I place platters ad bowls at different levels using pedestal cake plates and staking shelf organizers that you can get from the Container Store or Bed Bath and Beyond: Like these: http://www.organize.com/lgstackshelf.html . They can double the capacity of your buffet and many of them are strong enough to hold up a fully loaded 6 quart slow cooker.
I illuminate the bathroom with a few scented votive candles on top of the medicine cabinet so people don't have to turn lights on and off and any odors are quickly eliminated...it's a bathroom, it's going to happen.
I designate a wastebasket lined with a clear trash bag near the bar for emptied bottles and cans for easy recycling and for used plates and flatware, I do what a lot of caterers and restaurants do, set up a folding table for guests to set them on and then check it periodically to empty it.
If you need extra table space, they have these wonderful camping tables that can seat six people but roll up to store in an included storage bag in your closet or under your bed. Rolled up the large version of the table occupies about 8" in circumference and about 43" long (depending on which you get).
If you don't have deep window sills (like I don't) narrow folding conference tables can be purchased or rented and placed under windows.
For coats, instead of guests digging through the pile on my bed, I put a mural on my entryway wall and put knob style coat hooks on the muraled wall that incorporated into the design. It looks great without coats on it and the guests always know where their coats are when they're loaded up.
And finally, floor cushions for the weary who didn't grab a chair or a spot on the sofa in time. They stack up in a corner when not in use.
Great tips! :D
I keep wishing that I could click a button and "Like" the individual comments!
I've discovered the 'open house' all day party. That means I get to spend time with everyone, folk can come when it suits them. I keep the food real simple, anything I can peg into the oven and pull out quickly works (and it means there is always warm, fresh food). Parking is easier when it's staggered too.
This works best in a small house, for summer garden parties or Christmas with mulled wine.