For many people, one of the things they most look forward to when they live off-campus in an apartment or house is being able to invite people over for gatherings and parties. However, as a college student, you may live in a relatively small apartment. This can make it difficult to have a lot of people come over. However, there are ways you can maximize your space for summer gatherings and entertaining.
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Utilize outdoor space
Whether you have a porch or a balcony, utilizing any outdoor space you have allows you to entertain guests outside as well as indoors. This gives you extra room for seating and even games. You can put tables or chairs on the porch so people can sit outside and enjoy the weather. Even if you intend to have an indoor party, adding seating outside allows more room for guests in your small apartment.
Rearrange furniture
When you are planning your gathering, think about what kinds of activities you want to do and plan accordingly. If you want to gather around the TV for a movie or show viewing, have the TV be the focal point and arrange your furniture accordingly. For parties that are centered on talking and socializing, you can move furniture so that it is facing away from the TV. Plan similarly for other types of activities, especially if you want to allow dancing. Make sure there is plenty of space for your guests to move around without tripping or running into each other, as this will leave them with a feeling of being cramped.
Clean and declutter
One of the biggest reasons why your apartment feels smaller may be due to clutter. Maximize your storage space and pick things up. Do not leave things sitting out on counters and tables, especially ones that you plan on using for entertaining your guests. Before your party or gathering, do a deep clean of your apartment so that things are fresh for your guests. Better yet, keep your space as clean as possible all the time so that you do not feel panicked about having to clean and declutter for the party. When decorating, use minimal décor so that you do not use up too much room.
Check with your roommate
If you live with a roommate (or multiple roommates), check with them before inviting people over. Have a calendar system so you can easily keep track of who is hosting events and when. You may even want to include your roommate’s friends in your gathering. This is a great way for all of your friends to meet and get together for some summer fun. If your roommate is already planning on having people over on the day you were thinking, see if you can add a couple more people or pick a different day. This way, there is enough room for everyone you want to invite.
Lighten up
A dark room often feels smaller than one that is better-lit. Add lighting to make the room lighter, which will make the room feel bigger. If you are able to paint your walls, use a lighter color as a dark color will make the space feel more cramped. Be sure to check with your landlord and your lease before you paint the walls or even use removable wallpaper. Even using light-colored area rugs can help make the space feel bigger. Use lamps and ceiling lights to open up the space. Take advantage of any windows you have, as natural lighting tends to make a space feel bigger than artificial lighting.
Utilize height
While your space may not be big in terms of width, you can use height to your advantage. Get shelves to stack things on and use for decorations. Loft beds allow you to store things under the bed, which gives you some extra space. Coffee tables and end tables can also be used as storage or decorations. If your space has small closets, a wardrobe dresser can give you some extra space for your stuff. Use wall space to add bright pictures or tapestries, which will add to the overall feeling of brightness and openness of your space.
Clear entryway
It is crucial that you keep your entryway clear and open, especially since you have a small space to begin with. This area is the first space your guests will see when they enter, so having a clear and open entryway can provide a great first impression. If the space is clutter-free and open, the guests will get a sense that the rest of the space is open and bigger than it is. However, if there is a lot of clutter in the entryway, your guests will feel cramped from the time they walk in, leaving them feeling that way throughout the party or gathering.
Summer entertainment may seem difficult with a small space, but with the right tools and tricks, you can throw a party or gathering that you and your guests will remember.
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