1. Plan Your Guest List
Who are your guests? Once you know the details of your party attendees, you’ll be better prepared to cater to their needs. Most importantly, a list keeps you from inviting more than your home can accommodate comfortably, especially if your home hasn’t been fully furnished yet. Finally, your guest list should consist of people who spark joy in your life and who you’d love to share this new accomplishment and journey with.
2. Find Alternative Seating Accommodations
Don't stress too much about seating, especially if you don’t have more than one formal chair or sofa. Choose to have a picnic-style gathering so guests won’t be taken back when asked to sit on the floor. Gather some pillows and cozy blankets and let your friends get nice and comfy. Splurging on a nice rug won’t be a bad idea either!
There are a couple of picnic companies catching wind in the city of Houston! Fancy Picnics and Picnics In The City are great event services to use if you are looking to throw an extravagant housewarming event. If you have an amazing picnic event in your new home, please be sure to tag us in your photos!
3. Take Advantage of Your Countertop Space
- Extra counter space goes a long way.
- Use tiered trays when setting food up for your guests.
- Make use of your kitchen counter, by not leaving out unnecessary boxes.
- Clear off anything that isn’t essential to the party and don’t be afraid to use all your side tables.
- Fill your kitchen sink with ice to turn it into a beverage cooler and use bookcases as a tiered serving surface for snacks!
4. Remove Clutter
- Relocate the boxes that have yet to be unpacked to another room.
- Move throw pillows that reduce the number of people that can fit on your couch.
- Increase seating space by moving dining room chairs into your living room and pushing the table against the wall in case more tabletop space is needed.
- Pick up a few foldable chairs and a table for a makeshift dining table set up.
- Also, covering the table with a tablecloth makes the area look a bit more formal.
5. Purchase Finger Food
Consider serving your guests easily accessible food instead of messy dishes. Avoid ordering food that requires multiple plates and utensils in case guests must balance their food in their hands. Cheese and veggie platters, mini quiches, samosas, and bite-size pieces of chicken on toothpicks are all easy to eat in any position.
6. Get Creative
Take the attention off of your lack of furniture by adding a few statement pieces here and there. Too many decorations can make a room feel small and cramped, instead, opt for a few small yet bold floral arrangements and warm lighting.
7. Have Fun!
The most important part about hosting a housewarming party is warming up your home! It’s ok to not have some necessities on hand, that’s why friends bring gifts to help furnish your new place. Your main priority is to make sure everyone has a good time. Dust off the cards, play some music, pop open a bottle of wine and just have fun!
Trying to host an event with limited furniture is stressful, give yourself time to get moved in and used to your new space before trying to repurpose it for a large group of people. Your friends at Nan and Company Properties/Christie's International Real Estate believe that where there’s a will, there’s a way! We hope you love our personal way of hosting a housewarming party with limited furniture!