How to Host a Large Group in a Small House
There's no denying that hosting a large group in a small house can be quite the challenge. With your home on the cosier side, you might find yourself wondering how to comfortably accommodate all your loved ones and create a festive atmosphere without feeling cramped.
But fret not! The amount of space you have doesn’t define how memorable the experience can be. With some creativity and strategic planning, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere that your guests will adore.
Let’s dive deeper into some tips and ideas for hosting a memorable gathering, whether you're planning a grand dinner or an intimate celebration in a smaller home.
6 tips for hosting in a small house
1. Get an extendable dining table
If you want to host, extendable dining tables are an absolute must-have. They can easily be extended to seat more guests and collapse when not in use to reclaim valuable space in your abode. This ensures that all guests have a comfortable spot when dining, even in a small dining area.
The Seb Extendable Dining Table paired with the Seb Bench can fit up to 8 people when extended. Picture credits: @keepingitklinger
@audreycrispinteriors is hosting ready with the Dillon Extendable Dining Table and Casa Bench.
2. Go for dining benches
Instead of dining chairs, dining benches are a great alternative if you have a small space and want to host a sit-down dinner. Dining benches can often accommodate more people in a smaller space than individual chairs.
Additionally, since benches don't have chair backs, they can be pushed closer to the table, allowing for more seating capacity and clearance space.
The Bradley Bench comes in natural or ebony colours, creating either a neutral or striking dining setup for dinner gatherings.
The Elliot Leather L-shape Banquette fits beautifully into corners, maximising space in dining rooms (especially those under-utilised corners!).
Aside from helping you save value space, dining benches also offer a more relaxed and communal dining experience, encouraging conversation and a sense of togetherness that’s perfect for this holiday.
Plus, their versatility allows them to be used in other areas of your home, such as a window seat or an entryway bench, when not needed for dining. They also often come in a variety of styles and materials, making it easy to find one that complements your existing decor!
3. Arrange a cosy seating area
During gatherings, the living room is where you and your guests will spend a good amount of time, but hosting a large group in a smaller house can present challenges when it comes to seating and space.
We all want our guests to have comfortable seats to relax and enjoy the festivities. That's why modular sofas, modern armchairs, coffee tables with storage, and ottomans will be your best friends. These furniture pieces are space-saving and multi-purpose, allowing you to make the most of the small space.
@_ourcoastaldream pieces the Dawson Extended Sofa with Ottoman together, forming an L-shaped sofa.
@homedeco creates a beautiful dining nook with the Seb Extendable Dining Table and Seb Bench.
For example, modular sofas can be rearranged to form individual seating units around the room — allowing ample seating for guests. Similarly, armchairs can be easily moved and repositioned to create different conversational clusters or cosy nooks, maximising flexibility in your living room layout.
Meanwhile, coffee tables with storage help you keep the space uncluttered, storing remotes and magazines away so there’s more surface space for food and drinks. And, ottomans can be used as footrests and additional seats!
4. Create an outdoor extension
If you have a small balcony, patio, or backyard, why not keep the doors open and host part of the gathering outside? This can significantly increase your available space, allowing guests to mingle indoors and outdoors.
@homewithchrissym extends the festive celebrations to the outdoors with the Rio Outdoor Teak Dining Set.
@connieandluna creates a beautiful setting outdoors with potted plants surrounding the Sorrento Outdoor Dining Set.
An excellent tip for hosting an outdoor dinner celebration is to create a festive atmosphere by decorating your outdoor area with planters, fairy lights, or even unique holiday decor.
You should also ensure your furniture is up to the task by opting for weather-resistant and durable outdoor materials, such as teak or aluminium, for your outdoor tables and chairs.
Don't forget to enhance the ambiance with warm and inviting lighting, such as string lights, lanterns, or path lighting to illuminate the space as dusk settles in.
5. Have a potluck-style dinner
If you're hosting a dinner party, why not encourage your guests to contribute dishes to the gathering? Potluck-style dinners not only reduce the cooking load in the small space but also ensure that there's a variety of dishes to suit everyone's tastes. You can coordinate the menu to avoid duplicates and ensure a well-rounded meal.
@wah.wuu cooks a simple hotpot dinner on the rooftop with his pups. Pictured: The Rio Outdoor Teak Dining Set.
@caraway_home cooks up a delicious feast for guests. Pictured: The Casa Rectangular Dining Table.
6. Declutter your space
Decluttering not only creates a clean and inviting space for your guests, but it can also give the illusion of a bigger home!
Remember to give yourself ample time to declutter, and be ruthless in your decluttering efforts. Consider donating, selling and even discarding items that are taking up valuable space. When cleaning your home, you should also focus on surfaces such as countertops, living room side tables, coffee tables, and shelves by clearing away excess decor and items that aren't essential for the gathering.
@myrusticmodernhome ensures ample seating for guests in the living room without it being cluttered. Pictured: The Jonathan Leather Extended Side Chaise Sectional Sofa and Paloma Bouclé Armchairs.
@aestheteinteriordesign keeps a neutral palette in the living room to maintain a clean and airy look. Pictured: The Dawson Sofa with Ottoman.
With limited space, you might also want to get creative with your storage. You can consider stylish baskets or ottomans with hidden compartments to discreetly store extra blankets, cushions, or games.
A modern console table with drawers can be a great addition to your space to keep essentials organised while providing a surface for serving or displaying decorations.
Explore creative hosting ideas for families in small homes
Throwing a holiday get-together in a small house may require some adjustments, but it can result in an even more intimate and cherished gathering. With these space-saving tips and cosy decor ideas, you'll know exactly how to host the perfect dinner celebration and create an atmosphere your guests will love and remember for years.
