When you have to make a beautiful party space in a place the size of a closet, successful event planning charm garnered by attending an event planning school - where you'll learn about event planning guidelines, plus receive event planning certification, will only take you so far when you have to plan and stage an event.Yet, you can make magic happen when you know how to dress things up when you're event planning to transform a small party space into a small wonder.
An incredible party space transformation only takes a few nice tchotchkes, a bunch of ideas, and impressive solutions.
I learned from the best. And just like they helped me, I'll help you.
Small spaces can be really tricky to deal with. When it's a party, and a petite party (like: home, sweet home) - don't get bummed out about not having more space to work with.
You know what they say - "It is what it is." It's not worth getting stressed out and all worked up.
To get it right, think European.
A small space is absolutely no challenge at all when you have some eye-fooling wall color, storage-a-plenty, and petite furniture.
The main steps for planning an event begin when you can get your head wrapped around the idea of a "scaled-down style" executed "sleek-chic". When you're working to transform a party space the size of a backyard patio (with no space for furniture), or a caterer's kitchen area in a client's home with a shortage of work surfaces, you have to dump everything out that you thought you knew and start anew.
When transforming a small party space, your main pieces should not only be compact, but they should also be sleek, and as chic (free of embellishment) as possible, and, in a perfect world, neutral-toned.
Say your pressing party planning problem is: I have no space for the furniture
If the budget is tight and all you've got to work with is what you have on hand - swap out any of the overstuffed (yet super comfortable) furniture for trim, tailored pieces. Ditch the padded upholstered stuff completely. Find a less imposing skirt-less sofa, and a paired down armless small space reading chair or two made of something as simple such as wicker and stainless steel. Remember, the goal is to create an adequate seating environment of small space furniture for a party, not make guests so comfortable that they won't want to go home.It doesn't require a complete room-change of furniture to make a tiny party space feel bigger.
If you swap out just one piece - namely the sofa, it will make the space feel more composed and party-friendly. If you're reading this to get information about good places to shop for furniture for a small living space, I'd check out stores like West Elm, Pottery Barn, IKEA, and Crate & Barrel, that sell furniture for small spaces. And for lots of great container options stop by The Container Store, the original storage and organization store.
I don't have money in my budget to buy anything new, now what? Okay. The you can remove any clunky furniture and borrow a replacement piece for the night from a family member or a friend. If that's not an option, remove the big, over stuffed sofa and place chairs that are comfortable in it's place. When you're having a party, you can improvise - making whatever changes necessary to "make it work". As long as you're willing to be flexible, you can accomplish your goal of having a comfortable place for your guests to hang out, nosh a little, and socialize.
Your next pressing party planning problem is: It feels like the walls are closing in
One thing important to remember is that warm colors pull everything in and will make an event space feel cozier which is not what you need for a party environment, of course. Choose a cool-tone shade of blue, for example, and you'll be amazed to see how fast the walls will begin to recede.
This isn't an option; no money or time to buy paint, to paint the walls? Well, first just stand there and study the room for a minute. Decide what piece or pieces of furniture you can live without - that without them, will make the look and flow of your party successful. The best way to look at it is like this... I'm not talking about making changes that will effect your whole life, forever. I'm simply saying, think about making a few adjustments - just for one night. If you're having a party and you need space, this is a necessity.
Another option is to use paint. Obviously, this won't work in every situation. Painting even the cheapest shelving units white will always make them look better. Colored walls with white cabinets gives eyesore problems a "now you see it, now you don't" vibe. If permissible, take the doors off the cabinets and paint them white. Paint the inside back wall of the cabinets (outwardly visible) the same color as the walls.
Shelving is another way to go. Think the library, only not so severe. A good party rental company will have several styles of freestanding shelves for you to choose from. Shelves in a small space can add symmetry which will make things feel orderly. Shelving will bring a mystique and drama to what could otherwise be a boring party space. But more importantly, shelves are a great option because they give you places to put your stuff. Using shelves will allow you to use every square inch of space possible. When using shelves in a tiny space, go tall, not wide. Shelf height will make the space feel lofty, and will sit flush wherever you need them. Oh, I almost forgot school lockers. In the right scenario, lockers provide the perfect look and storage space for party environments. Rent lockers - they're great!
The true beauty of using shelves in a small space is that they'll give you the one thing you'll really need... place to for more storage. You can stack books on them. Utensils can go inside ceramic, plastic or glass containers or attractive but plain white storage boxes.
If you'd like to know more about any one of the screens, click it.
To increase the dimension of the room, add mirrors. If the idea of mirror display on a larger scale is a little too 80's for you, use mirror table runners or place mats on your dinner or buffet tables. At night, with candle light simmering - it's just gorgeous. Choosing table runner or place mat mirrors won't necessarily increase the look of the size of the room, but using them will definitely brighten up your place in the daytime, by maximizing the light coming in the windows.
Decorating small spaces, which is also called staging, isn't hard.
Pressing party planning problem #3 is: I need to hide an eyesore that I can't remove
If you feel like your only option is to demolish an ugly party space - but you can't really do that (maybe your eyesore is an ugly tent) - take the disguise the area route. Rental companies have screen rental just for this purpose. Some screens have interchangeable backgrounds. With a little velon you can change the color in no time.Another option is to use paint. Obviously, this won't work in every situation. Painting even the cheapest shelving units white will always make them look better. Colored walls with white cabinets gives eyesore problems a "now you see it, now you don't" vibe. If permissible, take the doors off the cabinets and paint them white. Paint the inside back wall of the cabinets (outwardly visible) the same color as the walls.
Shelving is another way to go. Think the library, only not so severe. A good party rental company will have several styles of freestanding shelves for you to choose from. Shelves in a small space can add symmetry which will make things feel orderly. Shelving will bring a mystique and drama to what could otherwise be a boring party space. But more importantly, shelves are a great option because they give you places to put your stuff. Using shelves will allow you to use every square inch of space possible. When using shelves in a tiny space, go tall, not wide. Shelf height will make the space feel lofty, and will sit flush wherever you need them. Oh, I almost forgot school lockers. In the right scenario, lockers provide the perfect look and storage space for party environments. Rent lockers - they're great!
The true beauty of using shelves in a small space is that they'll give you the one thing you'll really need... place to for more storage. You can stack books on them. Utensils can go inside ceramic, plastic or glass containers or attractive but plain white storage boxes.
If you'd like to know more about any one of the screens, click it.
Pressing party problem #4 is: Space... I don't have enough space for anything
Depending on what area of the party more surface space is needed, narrow sofa tables might be an viable option. Drop-leaf tables are another way to go and work perfectly if it's necessary to make space and save space at the same time. Depending on the style, when both leaves are down, the table is less than a foot wide (with a large drawer running through the center). With one leaf up, you'll have plenty of space to work. Extend both leaves and you've got enough space to seat six - for dinner.To increase the dimension of the room, add mirrors. If the idea of mirror display on a larger scale is a little too 80's for you, use mirror table runners or place mats on your dinner or buffet tables. At night, with candle light simmering - it's just gorgeous. Choosing table runner or place mat mirrors won't necessarily increase the look of the size of the room, but using them will definitely brighten up your place in the daytime, by maximizing the light coming in the windows.
Decorating small spaces, which is also called staging, isn't hard.
But it does require a different way of thinking. Small space decorating is kind of like a puzzle. When pieces fit together perfectly you'll have a small party space aesthetic that you'll be proud of and everyone that sees it will marvel at the small wonder of it.
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