How to Host a Party in a Small House: 6 Must-Read Tips

When it comes to showing off your space and bringing your closest friends and family together, the size of your house shouldn’t matter. Whether you have a townhome in Boston, MA, or a manufactured home in Santa Clarita, CA, a smaller space can still be the go-to spot for those weekend brunches or Friday game nights. 

In this Redfin article, expert event venues from across the nation offer their insights on how to host a party in a small house. Let’s get started! 

1. Make your space appear larger

Magicians use the act of illusions to create an appearance of something that isn’t quite so. The same can be done when you’re planning to host a party in a small house to appear more significant than it is.

Daniyal Mehroze with Event Spaces New York shares that their team’s favorite tool is the mirror. “This is great for adding depth and creating the illusion of a more expansive area.” Mehroze and their team suggest positioning the mirror where the “reflection captures the most advantageous part of the space.”

The team at The Home Gallery, a Los Angeles-based custom-built modular home manufacturer, adds how homes can also feel larger with an “abundance of natural lighting, let in through large windows.”

For known party-throwers who are still searching for a home that will need to be furnished, Samantha Owens with Party Mountain Events recommends “choosing furniture that can go up against the wall.” She shares how “this will free up space and allow guests the freedom to “move around the party while still having comfortable seating options.”

2. Enhance how your guests interact with the space

From creating designated placements for your menu to thinking about how guests will move around your space to socialize, enhancing the guest experience can make a big impact at your event.

Heather Muto with Heatherly Event Design states that “one of the best ways to host an event in a smaller space is to maximize space through the use of zones.” She recommends creating different areas for varying activities within the space you have.

Expand your party footprint by venturing beyond the confines of your home. Jody-Ann Rowe with The Event Certificate suggests giving “guests the option of an ‘escape hatch’,” deeming how “spaces such as a balcony, patio, or backyard can be used as overflow options to create more breathing room or conversation clusters.” 

Tana Lorah, chief operating officer with JULEP Venue in San Diego, CA, suggests “utilizing your space to its maximum potential.” She adds that this can be achieved by “separating your food and bar stations,” in doing so, you can also “prevent guests from congregating in and backing up one area.” 

West Town Chicago’s Frontier suggests that “strategic table placements can create an inviting dining space that can foster intimate conversations.”

Christopher McAllister, general manager for New York’s The National Arts Club, shares how hosting a party in a small space “can be enhanced by your surroundings.” Therefore, he says to, “spread things out and use all your space” and not feel things need to be confined to one section of your home.

Cara Berger, director of sales for the Washington, DC, St. Francis Hall, recommends focusing on “bite-size foods that can be enjoyed in a more casual setting.”

Nicole Kelly, general manager at Amara at Paraiso in Miami, FL, suggests to those with a kitchen island to “remove the chairs and allow the island to be your grazing board.” She adds that charcuterie boards and other snacks can be great in this location.

For those with minimal seating, Brigitte Faulkner with Central Coast Party Helpers recommends relocating any additional chairs to a more convenient location that allows “guests to sit down and eat” but be aware that some guests may have to “stand and mingle.” Therefore, curating a menu suitable for standing and seating is critical.

3. Integrate interactive and themed decorations

Decorations can enhance the overall appeal of your party. To include interactive decorations however, is a great way for your guests to indulge in an added layer of fun and excitement.

Christi with Olympia Party Planning shares how her “favorite trick is to pair an inexpensive 5×7 or 8×10 backdrop with a basic uplight, then border with balloons, drapery, or other ‘swag’.” She adds how you may even score “bonus points” with those in attendance by “adding a vase with stick photo props” that can take their photo experience to the next level.

The theme of your party can exhibit anything from fun characters to flowers and burlap to match the season. Lauren Doll with Dream Co. Weddings and Events recommends choosing “a theme that works for your space and emphasizes your home’s assets.” For those throwing a summer party with a balcony or patio space, Lauren suggests “setting drinks outside to give guests the chance to feel the sun on their faces and the wind in their hair.”

4. Match the lighting to the theme of your event

Lighting is a significant component in setting the right mood. Whether you’re throwing a Valentine’s Day dinner, a routine weekday gathering, or hosting a birthday party, the lighting can have a significant effect on your space.

Zachery Starkey, with Heaven Can Wait, shares how you can leverage lighting to create a signature ambiance within your own space– think warmer tones at night, lighter during peak sunlight, or fun colors for specific holidays or birthday parties.

5. Think vertically

When thinking about how to throw a party in a smaller space, it’s known that there is little horizontal space to work with. Therefore, you’ll want to start thinking about how to utilize vertical space.

Jarrod Jackson, with Hill Center in Washington, DC, shares, “Instead of using precious table real estate, consider leveraging tiered and stackable displays.” Jackson adds that these displays save room and can “literally take your décor up a notch.”

Having an environment suitable for throwing a party in a small house doesn’t mean changing things around every time you play host. Uri Zucker with Venues NYC suggests “embracing vertical storage with floating shelves that can free up the tabletop.” Zucker adds, “with a bit of creativity, your compact space can host a memorable soirée.”

6. Curate a menu suitable to the environment

What better way to throw a memorable party than curating the perfect menu? From throwing your housewarming party to hosting the holidays, regardless of how big or how small your space is, the menu is what guests will remember.

Allan Kurtz, managing director for Gotham Hall, suggests “highlighting a fun cocktail station, or a stylized bar cart that offers a curated selection of spirits, wines, and glassware.” Kurtz adds, “Space constraints don’t have to hold back your creativity.” Also, Josh Abelson with The Industrial Las Vegas adds that “a cocktail vibe is the way to go as it offers more room for guests to move around.”

Final thoughts on how to host a party in a small house:

If done correctly, hosting a party in a small house can feel just like any other space. Olivia Meyers with The Crown NYC shares how the ambiance can be “heightened with subtle lighting, stylish décor, and a carefully curated menu that ensures every corner is imbued with an atmosphere that transcends the limitations of the space.”