How to Host a Dinner Party in a Small Apartment (From a New Yorker)

Your definitive guide to hosting an unforgettable evening.

New York City boasts some of the most prolific restaurants around, but Michelin stars and world-class cuisine aside, there’s nothing that quite compares to an intimate dinner party in your very own home. And because apartment sizes are rather snug here, New Yorkers know all the secrets for creating a unique space to comfortably host your friends in, regardless of square footage.

With the holidays in full swing, it’s the perfect time to gather loved ones over a delicious meal and engaging conversation. Curate a guest list, pick a date, and begin the planning process!

Ahead, a New Yorker's A-to-Z guide to hosting a successful, memorable dinner party in a small space, with ideas for food, beverage, decor, and everything festive in between.

Ambience

Crafting a pleasant ambience is the secret to any successful dinner party, no matter where you live. Approach your space from an event planning perspective: Is the lighting dimmed just right? Will your music enhance the mood? Does your menu reflect your personality? Think about each component of the evening and how it can piece together an enjoyable atmosphere.

Bubbly

Who doesn’t love a splash of Champagne to kick off the festivities? Better yet, have it poured and ready to pass out for each guest’s arrival to make them feel extra special.

Candles

There’s something about a flickering flame that takes intimacy up a notch. Conversation becomes livelier, connections grow stronger, and dinners last longer. Invest in a few beautiful candles to display throughout the home for a magical effect.

Decor

On that note, your overall decor shouldn’t be an afterthought when planning a dinner party. If you’re not one for themed soirees, stick with holiday motifs and sprinkle seasonal accents throughout the home, such as greenery, pinecones, velvet ribbons, or even a string of fairy lights.

Experience

The best thing a dinner party host can hope for is that their guests come away from the evening feeling like they’ve just had an experience. Ensure this happens by considering each element of the evening as a different moment, from welcome drinks to a parting gift.

Florals

Freshly cut florals liven up a room and are a relatively inexpensive decor detail. Select a flower that complements the theme of your dinner party, whether it’s a crimson camellia or delicate white snowdrops.

Guest Count

Striking the right balance between too many and too few guests is even more difficult when you’re working with limited square footage. If you’re doing a sit-down dinner, your guest count can reflect the number of chairs at your table – easy. But if you’re serving floating appetisers, test out the space by using chairs as placeholders for people and see which amount fills the room best.

Hors d'oeuvres

The last thing you want is for your guests to leave hungry, which is why beginning with a few small appetisers is always a good idea (especially if you’re serving it alongside a glass of welcome bubbly). Consider food items that can be eaten in one bite and without needing a utensil!

Invites

Anticipation is one of the easiest ways to make an event feel even more special, which is why you should consider sending out beautiful invites for your dinner party. Alternatively, you can email digital invites with a unique design detail, like a hand illustration or colourful graphic.

Jazz

If the day of your dinner party has arrived and you still haven’t curated a playlist – don’t fret! Instrumental jazz is the easiest way to create a cosy mood without overpowering the room.

Keepsakes

If you’re really going all out, why not give your guests something small to remember your dinner party by? It doesn’t have to be anything over-the-top; a mini candle or small stack of cookies wrapped in pretty paper should do the trick.

Lighting

The power of lighting can’t be overstated – it can make or break the vibe. If you have enough lamps and candles, consider skipping overhead lighting all together to intensify the intimacy of the room.

Music

Lovely tunes keep the party going! As mentioned, jazz is a reliable genre if you don’t have time to craft a playlist, but if you’re keen on something more specific, remember to set aside the time to choose songs that feel aligned with your party’s direction.

Napkins

One of our favourite elements of a magnificent dinner party setting are the napkins. Though small, swapping out paper goods for beautiful linen napkins transforms the look and feel of the tablescape. Plus, you can easily pop them in the hamper afterwards.

Ornament Exchange

While a white elephant gift isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, you can still incorporate a similar element into your dinner party with an ornament exchange. Set a price range ($10 to $15 is fine) and see what your guests come up with.

Presentation

Crafting a dinner tablescape is no easy feat – you’ll want stylish place settings, unique serveware, strong decor accents, and other personal touches. To help with this presentation, lay everything out ahead of time so as the food becomes ready you can simply add it to the table.

Quick Intros

Inviting friends from different groups? Help them get acquainted by quickly having everyone introduce themselves at the start of the dinner. It’s a thoughtful way to make sure no one leaves as strangers. Keep it quick and painless!

Roaming Space

If your furniture layout potentially limits ease of movement, consider rearranging for the evening so your guests can roam about freely.

Seating

While you don’t want to micromanage your dinner party, there’s something to be said about assigned seating (and cute name cards!) so there’s no awkward pauses while deciding who should sit where.

Tablescape

There’s something so satisfying about assembling a beautiful tablescape, particularly when it’s a dinner party hosted at home. Take it as an opportunity to showcase your personality with colourful linens, unique serveware, and fanciful candlesticks or vases.

Unique Theme

If you live for a costume party, why not make it the theme of your dinner? We love the idea of a vintage-inspired gathering (think: Christmas circa 1950s) or even a winter wonderland aesthetic with everything adorned in snow-like decor.

Vibrant Tree

For those who celebrate Christmas, an easy way to imbue your home with a festive spirit is with a decorated tree. Hang the usual ensemble of ornaments or consider a bolder look, like metallic tinsel draped from the branches.

Water

Many holiday dinner parties will involve festive cocktails and wine, which means it’s important to provide your guests with plenty of water, both sparkling and still.

X Marks the Spot

Don’t make it hard for your guests to find important locations in your apartment – when they arrive, let them know where to place their coats, which way the bathroom is, and any other pertinent info to help them feel right at home.

Yuletide Spirit

While everyone celebrates the holidays differently, hosting a dinner party with your closest friends is a unique opportunity to let them know how much they mean to you. Take advantage of this time together and make sure you spend time talking with each guest.