Small home hosting can be done with the right ideas and a little creativity. Using a small home to host is just as doable as any other space. With these tips you will be hosting often, no matter the size of your home.
Ever since my adult years, I’ve always lived in a smaller space. From the college dorm/apartment, to a 450 sq ft, one bedroom space to our current home of 950 sq ft. At each of these places however, I have hosted more people than we thought could possibly fit. Cozy is in, so why not use that smaller space and invite people in!? The Pros and Cons of Small home living might give you some more insight on why we live in a small home.
Why to host in the first place
Having people over and creating community is something humans need and crave. In person interaction is something that our current society lacks and that needs to be rekindled. Creating community and nurturing relationships is a great reason to open a home in hospitality.
How to host in a small space
Heres what I will be going more in depth on with hosting in a small home.
- Think about how a space/room flows
- Food setup does matter
- Mood and atmosphere make a difference
- Make the outdoor space an extension of the home
- Preparations happen ahead of time
The flow of the space
When hosting in a small home, it’s not about squeezing in more people, but making a space feel intentional and comfortable. Editing the space instead of expanding it goes a long ways. Clutter (at least for the time) needs to be cleared away. Surfaces should be open as it makes the room feel bigger. Plus it gives guests a place to set drinks and plates.
If furniture needs to be rearranged to make the space more open, do so. Maybe the side chairs need to be shifted to the sides of the room or the dining table needs to be turned sideways to use as a buffet table.
Seating in small homes tends to be a a struggle when hosting, so use some nontraditional seating if necessary. Turn a piano bench into a table seat for small kids, bring out some crates to pull up to the coffee table or add some floor cushions for extra seating. People are pretty flexible, especially in a relaxed setting.
Food set up
When it comes to the food when hosting in a small home, really consider the arrangement. Instead of a meal where the food is brought to the table, set the dishes of food out on the counter in a buffet style. People can walk through and serve themselves. Set up a self- serve drink station where guests can get their own beverages. Staying away from anything that is too complicated when it comes to food and drinks has seemed to be the best in small homes.
Mood matters
Lighting and ambience are almost more important than the square footage. Turn off any harsh lighting and use lamps, natural light and/or candles to create a “cozy” feel. Why not enhance the fact that it is a small space, but that it can be played up well.
Setting the mood with music, fresh flowers on the table and delicious smells goes a long ways. People will remember a fun and enjoyable time at a home when the atmosphere is right. Clean and tidy spaces also really set a mood of a home. Clear the clutter and give the space a quick clean. Some of these things can be done ahead of time of course, which I will talk about in the “preparations” section.
Extend the home with outdoor space
When hosting in small places make the most of your outdoor space. Whether it is just a balcony off an apartment or an acre of grassland, extend the home into that area. Lay out a rug, put a table and chairs over it and add some outdoor string lights and you’ve got a cozy place for more people to gather.
I’ve got a deck and cement patio that we use year round, even in the winter months. For the warmer months we host outdoor events often. We put out a folding table, cover with a nice tablecloth, turn on our string lights and fire up the grill and we’ve got a great evening set! So use whatever outdoor space you’ve got.
Preparations
This applies to any size home and any size party, but preparing is important. Even if the gathering is impromptu there is still a need to be ready – write a list, get the items gathered, set the home and make the food. I share more detaild about the Art of Hospitality and how to have a heart for hosting.
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