13 Smart Holiday Hosting Hacks for Small Spaces

Author: Kourtney Borman
A small group of people celebrating the holidays in a small living space. The room is decorated with lights, while the host serves the meal. The guests are seated around the table with wine and charcuterie.

If you love hosting as much as I do, it can be a really fun experience. But one thing that seems to always turn into a huge headache is having to deal with a super small space. Having to boil down your huge plan to fit into a tiny area can suck some of the fun out of the whole thing.

Luckily, if you can plan ahead, make clever use of any space you do have, and add a touch of holiday magic, you can turn even the coziest of spaces into the perfect place for the holidays. Here are 13 smart hacks that can help you make the most out of your home for the holidays and make your hosting a total success.

1. Declutter Often and Early

A young woman writing on stacked boxes with a permanent marker. The box is labeled "Living Room", and it appears they are decluttering, moving or selling goods.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

One of the things you do not want to leave to the last minute (or underestimate the power of) is decluttering! Clearing out unnecessary items can free up a ton of space, making what might seem small look and feel a bit bigger. Store nonessential decorations, furniture, or everyday items you won’t need for the party in closets or under beds. The less clutter you have out and about, the more room you’ll have to host comfortably.

2. Use Your Walls for Decor

A wooden bench sits next to a pine tree delicately wrapped in loose string lights. The bench has comfortable coverings, including a fuzzy throw, candles, decorative pillows and other lighting and decor. It is leaned against the wall where string lights are draped.
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Skip right past the bulky decorations that take up a lot of footage and, instead, go vertical with your holiday cheer. We’re talking about hanging up garlands, lights, or wreaths on walls, lintels, windows, and even doors. In fact, you can add a tension rod strung with festive garland just about anywhere in your house. This adds a festive touch without taking up floor or tabletop space.

3. Pick out Multipurpose Furniture

Vase with bouquet of beautiful leucospermum flowers, book and glasses on wooden nesting tables indoors.
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Invest in pieces of furniture such as ottomans with storage, foldable chairs, or nesting tables to help maximize your space. These items can be used for seating or serving during the party and stored neatly away afterward, keeping your space flexible.

4. Rearrange Your Layout

A young couple moving a small grey couch together, one person at each end.
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It might seem like a bit of overkill to rearrange just for a holiday, but rethinking your furniture arrangement can really open up the flow of a room. Picture how you want people to mingle or move about, then push larger pieces like couches or dining tables against the walls to create more space, especially in high-traffic areas. Use smaller, movable furniture to make the layout even more adaptable.

5. Go With a Buffet Table Option

Beautifully decorated catering banquet table with different food snacks and appetizers.
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Instead of dedicating a space for a formal sit-down meal, aim for a buffet-style dining experience instead. You can use kitchen counters, side tables, or even windowsills to display food, freeing up your main seating areas for guests to relax. Bonus points if you include a bar, coffee, or snack cart!

6. Go Minimal With Table Decor

Female hand lighting the candles in an advent wreath table centerpiece.
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When you start setting up your table, stick to simple, low-profile centerpieces like candles or a small vase of flowers. This keeps the focus on functionality and gives guests more room for plates and drinks.

7. Maximize Kitchen Space

Tiered trays of assorted desserts, including cakes and cupcakes, displayed on a wooden table with a dark blue background.
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Make the most out of your kitchen by organizing it ahead of time. Try using tiered serving trays to stack snacks and appetizers vertically. You can also temporarily store nonessential appliances out of the way to create more prep and serving areas. After all, you hopefully won’t need that toaster right in the middle of hosting!

8. Create a Drink Station

A close-up photograph of two large glass beverage dispensers placed on a countertop, each filled with refreshing, infused drinks.
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Good hosting includes good drinks, so set up a designated drink station on a bar cart, small table, or countertop. This keeps guests from overcrowding the kitchen and lets them serve themselves, freeing you to focus on hosting.

9. Optimize Your Seating Options

Decorated Christmas tree with decorations, gifts and lights at home.
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Think outside of the box, or at least the chair, for seating. Use benches, stools, floor cushions, or even outdoor space to accommodate extra guests. Stackable chairs are also a great solution since they can be stored neatly after the event.

10. Utilize Hidden Storage

Bedroom interior, wooden bed at modern room. Furniture design with open wood drawer, white pillow decoration object in box. Brown comfortable storage for bedding cushion.
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Take advantage of all those hidden storage spaces throughout your house like under-the-bed boxes, unused corners, extra closets, and storage bins. Use these areas to tuck away items that don’t need to be out during the gathering, like coats, bags, etc, which should give your guests more room to move about.

11. Use Mirrors to Open Up the Space

Bright and spacious bedroom with a white wall, an eco-wooden mirror and flower pots. Cozy bright rustic style bedroom, boho style bedroom.
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Strategically placed mirrors are one of the easiest ways to reflect light and create the illusion of a much larger space. They not only make the room feel so much bigger but they can also make your holiday decor look extra elegant! You can even try glass markers to add extra festive touches to boring mirrors you might already have.

12.  Stackable Dinnerware

A feminine hand picking up a plate from a stack in the cupboard.
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Often overlooked, stackable plates, bowls, and cups can be a real space saver, both on your table and during storage. When not in use, these stackables can be neatly tucked away so you have more room for guests and other hosting essentials.

13. Encourage Outdoor Outings

Fairy lights, bulb lights, outdoor lighting, patio lighting, summertime lighting for outdoor events and parties.
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If weather permits, use outdoor areas like a balcony, porch, or patio as part of your hosting space. Add cozy seating, blankets, or portable heaters to create an inviting overflow area where guests can mingle.

In the end, hosting in a small space does not mean sacrificing holiday cheer or comfort. By getting creative with your layout, prioritizing functionality and double usage, and making thoughtful choices, you can create a warm, welcoming environment for your guests that won’t leave you with a headache!

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