LIVING LARGE IN LIMITED SPACE

Small condo with a big social life

Maximize your space -- and entertaining options
By Stephanie David, Edmonton Journal
 
Many people have made the sacrifice of downsizing their living space to gain a better location. But there is no need to sacrifice your social life.

Stephanie Fourgeaud has become accustomed to entertaining in a small condo. She has traded living space for a hot-spot location in the charming coastal region of western France. Her 50-square-metre condo is located in Royan, in the popular Charente-Maritime province.

There are not many drawbacks to living in France's sunniest region, but one is the price for space.

Living in a small condo has not stopped Fourgeaud from indulging in one of her favourite pastimes: socializing with friends. Fourgeaud's experience in entertaining in her spatially challenged condo makes for useful tips, no matter where the party is located.

Making the most of her small home starts with making room for extra. "I always make sure I have extra chairs and drinks that can be pulled out after the party has started," she explains. "It adds spontaneity, although everything is organized ahead of time." It also makes the room seem larger as guests are arriving.

Fourgeaud often separates the entrance from the living space with a simple wood partition and dresses it with party decor.

"It makes it easy to greet guests and collect jackets as they are arriving," she says. "This is a good chance to put jackets away in a separate area to keep the main room free of clutter."

Removing all unnecessary furniture can also maximize a limited space. Bar stools and floor cushions can add extra seating and create a casual atmosphere.

Organizing a centre to the room with edge-style seating further enhances space. For example, use functional furniture like a sturdy coffee table, push it against the wall, and add throw-cushions to create bench-seating.

One of Fourgeaud's favourite tricks to maximizing limited space is to serve snacks buffet-style and all food in bite-sized pieces. The key to her success: "lots of napkins."

She usually spreads the buffet across two tables and passes the appetizers herself. This both omits the need for a snack table and creates a more intimate atmosphere.

The keys to preparing a dinner buffet: plates and cutlery on the left, desserts and beverages last (or separate) and a serving utensil for each dish. Coloured napkins can be added to the buffet and to the room for decor that does not take up space.

If you don't want to compromise on the dining experience, another option is to rent or borrow a large table, which after dinner can be pushed against a wall and used for a coffee station or bar. When dealing with limited space, it is best to serve a plated meal from the kitchen so you will not have to accommodate a large spread of different dishes.

Alternatively, placing the food in separate stations in different parts of the room can encourage mingling, an added bonus if there is a lack of seating. Serve finger foods that can be consumed while standing.

If entertaining in a space split into two adjoining rooms, remove the door from its hinge and stash away in the bedroom to open up the space and draw the rooms together.

If including bar drinks, be sure to have extra ice stored in the bathtub or outside. If possible, have a bowl of ice on the counter and replenish as needed, to allow people to flow through a limited bar space faster.

Don't overstock the bar area, but do plan on an average of three glasses per person (five glasses in a bottle of wine). This designated drink preparation area will also serve to keep the beverages contained in one location.

An unused stove top with a flat, covered surface or a cupboard with the door removed works well for the bar when there is limited space.