How-To Throw BIG Parties in SMALL Spaces

David Deem
714-997-3486
Dave@DeemTeam.com

By John Voket


Whether its a cozy condo in Boston, or a sunny Los Angeles flat with a virtual patch of yard, there are plenty of ways to squeeze a LOT of party into small spaces.

Graham Averill at Outsideonline.com has a few ideas, starting with downsizing your grill. Averill says forget that whale of a grill - you'll crave the space you'll save!

Averill also says instead of offering a full bar, save space (and money) by whipping up a signature cocktail — something you can make in big batches ahead of time. Then just set a pitcher featuring your best mixology, an ice bucket, glasses and cocktail napkins on a small folding butler’s tray.

Accommodate guests on a small deck or in a tiny yard by creating zones: Your bar goes in one corner, a small table of appetizers in the other, and a cooler of beer is sandwiched next to the grill so people have to come talk to you while you cook. Keep seating, tables, food, etc. around the perimeter of your deck or yard to give people room to mingle in the middle.

Alex Kalita at Food52.com has observed that the bar often winds up as the focal point of a party. If you don't have one, she suggests selecting a piece of furniture to serve as your bar that’s wide and roughly waist-high, but not too deep. Dressers, sideboards, desks, and console tables are often good candidates.

When it comes to the menu, Kalita says think in bites, not bulk. She says serve food that is substantial enough to satisfy guests, but wieldy enough to rest on a cocktail napkin - crostini, nuts, olives, chips, cheese and crackers, charcuterie, etc. With handheld food, you don’t need cocktail plates and there won’t be competition for surface area. Bonus: fewer dishes to do when the evening ends.

At Elledecor.com, Kelsey Kloss says it's important to make trash cans visible. This will make cleanup easier the next day and save space during your party.  She says more trash in the cans means fewer cups, napkins and paper plates cluttering your serving surfaces.

www.DeemTeam.com
DRE#01266522

Location: Orange, CA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Orange County Housing Summary:May 2, 2023

Image
David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com   ·        The active listing inventory in the past couple of weeks increased by 34 homes, up 1%, and now sits at 2,076, this first substantial rise of the year. Nonetheless, it is the lowest level at the end of April since tracking began in 2004. In April, 49% fewer homes came on the market compared to the 3-year average before COVID (2017 to 2019), 1,983 less. Last ye ar, there were 2,104 homes on the market, 28 more homes, or 1% higher. The 3-year average before COVID (2017 to 2019) was 6,002, or 189% more. ·        Demand, the number of pending sales over the prior month, increased by 43 pending sales in the past two weeks, up 3%, and now totals 1,706, the lowest end-of-April reading since 2020 during the COVID lockdown. Last year, there were 2,154 pending sales, 26% more than today. The 3-year average before COVID (2017 to 2019) was 2,780, or 63% more. ·        With the inventory and demand rising at a similar rate, the Expected Market Tim
Read more

Orange County Housing Summary: June 27, 2023

Image
David Deem Broker Associate 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com   ·        The active listing inventory in the past couple of weeks increased by 85 homes, up 4%, and now sits at 2,281. Regardless, it is the lowest level for an end to June since tracking began in 2004. In May, 45% fewer homes came on the market compared to the 3-year average before COVID (2017 to 2019), 1,879 less. Last ye ar, there were 3,491 homes on the market , 1,210 more homes, or 53% higher . The 3-year average before COVID (2017 to 2019) was 6,633, or 191% more, nearly triple. ·        Demand, the number of pending sales over the prior month, increased by 7 pending sales in the past two weeks, nearly unchanged, and now totals 1,602, the lowest level for an end to June since tracking began in 2004. Last year, there were 1,861 pending sales, 16% more than today . The 3-year average before COVID (2017 to 2019) was 2,679, or 67% more . ·        With the supply rising, the Expected Market Time, the number of days to sell
Read more

Orange County Housing Summary: September 20, 2022

Image
  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com          ·         The active listing inventory in the past couple of weeks decreased by 304 homes, down 2%, and now sits at 3,638, its lowest level since June. In August, there were 30% fewer homes that came on the market compared to the 3-year average prior to COVID (2017 to 2019), 1,054 less. Last ye ar, there were 2,289 homes on the market , 1,349 fewer homes, or 37% less . The 3-year average prior to COVID (2017 to 2019) was 6,520, or 79% more. ·         Demand, the number of pending sales over the prior month, decreased by 75 pending sales in the past two weeks, down 4%, and now totals 1,756. It is still the lowest reading for mid- September since 2007. Last year, there were 2,623 pending sales, 49% more than today . The 3-year average prior to COVID (2017 to 2019) was 2,363, or 35% more . ·         With demand dropping faster than the supply of homes , the Expected Market Time, the number of days to sell all Orange County listin
Read more