Hosting friends when you don’t have a lot of space?

[Anonymous]

We recently started alternating hosting a potluck and cards night with four friend couples. We rarely host that many people because our house is very small and we just don’t have the space. I’ll try to describe the space:

Our home is three floors, but very narrow. In our small living room we have a typical sofa and one small chair and that’s it.

Our dining room has a table with a leaf, but when we open it, it takes up pretty much all of the room; it’s musical chairs whenever someone needs to get up.

We have a tiny finished lower level, but if we put table and chairs for 10 people, there’s no room for a table with food, so people will be going up and down for food and drink and bathroom.

No useable outdoor space.

I’ve been dreading hosting this group, but next month it’s our turn. I’m thinking our only option is to open the leaf and maybe push other furniture around to make more space, and just accept everyone will be a little cramped. Perhaps serve finger type food that can be eaten standing, some people in the kitchen, some in the living room, some at the dining table.

I’d love to hear any other ideas if you host in a smaller row-type house. Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Just do it. People can go up and down stairs. No one cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just do it. People can go up and down stairs. No one cares.

+1 I can speak as a guest in a situation like this - wouldn't care, even if a bit cramped, as long as I'm having fun!
Focus on having good food/drinks and everything will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just do it. People can go up and down stairs. No one cares.

Everyone needs to be in the same place to have card night.

[Anonymous]

Can people put their own plates / drinks under their seats in the downstairs space? I have been in a very cramped space for Thanksgiving. I didn't even remember it was cramped until this post, I remember how creative they were in getting all of us to fit. I think the elderly were seated on the side that was easier to get in/out.

[Anonymous]

I think the dining room table with leaf is your best option. Close to food and drink.

Then again- downstairs could work well too. Going upstairs to grab a drink or to the use the restroom is not a big deal at all.

Don’t overthink. Most people are just so glad that it is someone else’s turn to host, and focused on friends and food/drink- not the space.

[Anonymous]

I push furniture around and make sure we're close to food and drink. I would go with the leaf in the dining room.

[Anonymous]

Do you belong to a pool? I try to do my hosting in the summer at the pool...

[Anonymous]

One thing about open spaces, move the furniture, add a leaf. I would not mind going up and down stairs either. We would host a dozen people in our condo and basically we just moved the sofa to expand the dining space

[Anonymous]

Just rent some space

[Anonymous]

As a guest, I'm a lot more willing to go to a smaller home than I am for someplace with no parking.

We have good friends who live up in Gaithersburg in a townhouse development. Metro is not an option. They like to have people over all the time, but there is NEVER anywhere to park. The parking spaces in the community are numbered and assigned, and the few visitor spots are always full, usually with the second or third cars of people who live there. Sometimes we have to park on a main road in front of the community and walk half a mile to their place. It's soooo tedious. I hate going, we find excuses not to go.

[Anonymous]

Can you move the chair and coffee table to the basement and then turn the dining table so that it spills over into the living room?

[Anonymous]

Sorry but I wouldn’t go. I hate being cramped.