When you have a place built for entertaining, you create the chance to fill your life with fun and excitement. Even small spaces have abundant functionality when you take a certain approach to design. After all, living in smaller urban homes has never stopped New Yorkers from enjoying a good party.

To make the most of your apartment for friendly entertainment, here are a few ideas to take with you.

Maximize Seating for Dinner Parties

You may not have the room for a large dining table that seats eight people. Instead, take what you have and create seating for everyone throughout the entire apartment. 

Many apartment dwellers stick to the stand-and-mingle party arrangement. However, you can still set up a dinner party with seating arrangements in the living room and the kitchen. Rely on your kitchen island, existing tables and other surfaces to provide creative eating space for guests.

Then, set up other party stations away from eating areas to free up room for plates. Create a makeshift bar area with stools for endless drink options. And if you have an outdoor space available, be sure to place a table on the deck so guests can get a breathtaking view.

Decorate for Comfort and Drama

You'll want to create the perfect entertainment space for all types of guest activities, including sitting, standing, and conversing. If you’re a major entertainer, you’re probably looking to impress your guests with your design chops — so combine functionality with drama in your furnishing and decorating choices.

Make your space more inviting by using leather sofa seating to create a comfortable seating area for an upscale cocktail lounge. Vegan leather couches are easy to keep clean and provide various prints for a classy look.

Consider layering options with lighting. Decorative chandeliers and modern wall sconces can add functionality and dimension to the overall space.

Optimize Counter Space

Tiered trays and cake stands are your best bet when it comes to maximizing countertop space. They're perfect for serving up your favorite finger foods and making your countertops feel bigger.

Another way you can accommodate guests is to try cocktails and hor d'oeuvres instead of a full, formal dinner. Think about offering fine wine and staple liquors or beers for entertainment. Once guests arrive, you can create an accessible self-serving area for refreshing drinks and light bites.

You could also consider adding a moving cart when you need additional counter space. While this creates the added space, it also adds class to your apartment. Plus, bar carts are practical for any situation because they're compact and roll away easily for storage.

Declutter With Storage

Entertaining guests can get messy, especially when people have a good time. In that case, it's always a great idea to incorporate stackable storage units for keeping areas neat and making more room.

Multifunctional furniture and storage spaces help you keep the entertainment stuff – like games and magazines – out of the way, so guests have a spot to set their drinks. Having everything in its proper place keeps your apartment organized. Plus, it makes it easy to clean up afterward.

Rearrange Your Furniture

The more floor space you have, the better it is for entertaining guests. You can move your furniture to suit guests for mingling when holding a cocktail party. Consider moving furniture up against the walls and removing bar stools for the evening.

Place the extra seating in your bedroom or ask your neighbor to keep them for you overnight.

You can also swap furniture if you're hosting a dinner party. By moving the dining table into your living room – and shifting living room lounge chairs in the dining area – you can make the table the focal point of your apartment. This creates more space and a better flow for a great party.

Create an Overall Ambiance

A successful party can entirely depend on the mood you create for your guests. So, when you don't have room for a ton of décor, try getting creative. Add scented candles around the room and hang up color-changing LED strip lights for a fun effect.

Make the music quiet enough that people can talk over it but also hear it simultaneously. When the party mood evolves, switch up the music from time to time so guests can stay engaged.

Also, if you want to keep the noise from disturbing your neighbors, consider adding paneling, carpets, and thick curtains. This will keep the noise to a minimum and provide great sound quality throughout your apartment.

Choose a Place for Hanging Coats and Bags

The colder months mean you'll need a space to hang heavy coats, boots, and bags. Try to pick a spot so guests won't have to carry their stuff or wonder where to set their things.

To make the most room, consider using your bedroom. Or, clear out a space in the front closet so guests can hang their things.

Decorate Your Apartment for Entertaining Guests

Be sure to set aside time so you can plan everything out carefully. When you plan, you get more done before the party. And once it starts, you get to relax more as the host. Once you've successfully decorated your apartment, it's time for the fun to begin.

Author

Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated. Her real estate work has been published by the National Association of REALTORS®, Rental Housing Journal, and other online publications.

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