Party
A great meal with the right people can lead to some of life’s most memorable moments, so it makes sense why they say the kitchen is the heart of the home. While many love hosting, having people over and entertaining them can take their toll on anyone, especially if you live in a small apartment or have a small kitchen. But that doesn’t mean you can’t host your friends and family for a delicious meal.
We have compiled some of the best hosting tips if you have a small kitchen. Let’s check these out.
Arrange your apartment to maximize space
To host some of the best parties, you must know the tricks to maximize space.
Start with rearranging the furniture in the hallway – your staging area. You can move the sofa closer to the wall and move useless items to the bedroom. When it comes to saving space or repurposing what you already have, think creatively.
A great way to entertain guests in a small area is to disperse the refreshments around your apartment. If you keep everything out of the kitchen so you won’t feel pressured.
Move out your chunky furniture and declutter
If you feel like you have done everything you can, but the space is still not enough, you can use the storage facilities here. Rent the best one near your location and move some of your chunky items there for the time being. You may want to try theIronguard Storage facility, as they offer a wide range of storage units available in every size. Located in thirty-six states of America, you can easily locate one near your hometown!
Once everything is in order, declutter. Get rid of those stacks of mail and cookbooks on your counter. Remove any appliances from the counter and store them in the cabinets, including coffee makers, canisters, mixers, etc. Any breakable items should be moved away from high-traffic areas. For example, do not put a vase in the hallway that leads to the kitchen. Having cleaned up the kitchen, make sure you declutter other areas where your guests will be.
Pick your serving style
If your apartment does not have a dining room or table, serving guests buffet-style is a great idea. Organize plates, cutlery, cups, and napkins on serving trays to maximize counter space. As an alternative to multiple beverages, serve a pitcher or dispenser of a signature drink, such as homemade lemonade, as an aperitif. Question: How Many Cups In 32 Oz?
If you want to serve beverages in the living room, you can put a bar cart there. Make sure the food is presented in cute containers like mason jars or shot glasses to save even more space. Large shot glasses are ideal for serving individual servings of trifle, shrimp cocktail, and vegetable crudité.
Choose your invites wisely
You need to be honest with yourself about the space you have in your kitchen and apartment. If your guests are bumping into one another while getting appetizers, it will make them feel cramped and uncomfortable. You don’t want that.
Try to keep the number of guests as few as you can. Remember, less is always more. The fewer people you invite, the bigger blast they will have and not to mention less clutter and cleaning afterward. The less food you prepare, the fewer dishes you need to clean, and the less stress you’ll experience!
Choosing a smaller group of guests will also allow you to have a more intimate event. It will make you to be an excellent host. Instead of being the stressed-out host, you can be the host who throws the best parties.
A simple menu can help you plan ahead
Start planning your dinner party as early as possible to keep everything smooth. Start by deciding what you want to serve. Time your appetizers and main course.
Most importantly: don’t start experimenting with food, sticking to your kitchen favorites will alleviate stress and save you time. When you stay with what you know how to make, it means fewer steps in the kitchen and less prep work on the day of the party. It doesn’t mean you necessarily have to stick to your signature dishes. Use quality ingredients or add subtle variations to make them more interesting. However, stay away from complicated dishes. If you really want to try a new dish and you’re confident you can pull it off, try something with fewer ingredients.
Make sure everything is clean
A clean and orderly space can give your guests a great impression. Even if the house is small, an organized small space won’t make it seem cramped. Besides cleaning the kitchen, make your home guest-ready bycleaning the bathroom, living room, and dining area.
The space can quickly become cramped when guests are over. A few dishes in the sink or on the counter are enough to make the kitchen appear cluttered. So keep the dishwasher empty and load it right after everyone is done eating.
Make every effort to prepare
Purchase all your ingredients the day before your event. You can order your groceries online and get them delivered to your home. This way you’ll save time and will be less likely to forget something on your grocery list. Start preparations the day before to avoid a hectic kitchen on the day of your party. Make the most of your time with your company by doing most of the work before you arrive.
You know the saying with too many cooks
Too many cooks spoil the broth. Yes, that’s the one!
It’s okay to evict people from the kitchen when needed. There is a natural tendency for people to gather in the kitchen to socialize and grab food or drinks, but too many people in one place at the same time can become overwhelming. Guests may ask you if you need assistance in the kitchen. Although it’s a kind gesture, urge them to enjoy their stay in the other room and make themselves at home. When you notice too many people in the kitchen, gently ask them to leave by telling them that you are almost finished preparing the meal, or the party is moving to another room.
Perk up the seating arrangement
Don’t worry if you don’t have a large dining room with a long table. Focus instead on what you can use for seating your guests. Some guests can sit at the bar or on the small island, while others can sit in the living room. You can also welcome your guests to the patio or balcony; just don’t be too loud or disrespectful to your neighbors.
Keep it cool
Not just the attitude but also the apartments. Stale air tends to accumulate in small spaces and you apartment can quickly overheat if there are too many people in it at once.
Before the guests arrive, open the windows and turn on the air conditioning. Make sure to turn off the oven at least one hour before the party starts.
Conclusion
Few things are more rewarding than watching your loved ones feel at home and enjoy the mouth-watering dishes you prepared with care. If you have a small kitchen, hosting a dinner party can be a challenge, but think of it as an opportunity to get creative. With these tips, your home can be the place where you create more memories.
