Hospitality is centered around creating an environment that will make your friends and guests feel at home, sharing authentic time together and cultivating experiences filled with laughter. It all really boils down to creating opportunities to show others you care.

But sometimes downsizing and small space living can trick us into thinking we don’t have “enough space” to host next month’s book club or throw a dinner party to celebrate a special birthday. Well, think again. The keys are to get creative and plan ahead a bit.

Here are 10 small space entertaining tips and tricks to help you embrace the coziness and start sending the invitations for your next gathering.

1 Clean and clear the clutter
Put away non-essential décor and the general clutter that tends to accumulate throughout the week. This helps make your surroundings feel a little larger and will free up space for food, refreshments and such. An empty dishwasher instantly provides a hidden place to stash dirty dishes during the party. Out of sight, out of mind … so you can focus on your guests.

2 Plan a strategic menu
Whether you’re thinking of light appetizers, or an all-out dinner spread, try to curate a menu with some dishes that can be made in advance. If you’re going the route of a full menu, try serving a salad or cold appetizer to buy some time while multiple dishes cook in the oven. These make ahead dinner ideas are sure to be a hit with your guests and will simplify things for you, too.

3 Maximize your counter space
Every inch matters in a smaller space and kitchen organization solutions will help you make the most of the space you have. Tuck away unnecessary kitchen appliances. Use clutter-free countertops to set up a buffet with decorative dishes and platters, and use multi-tiered serving trays to utilize vertical space. Since small space living and downsizing go hand-in-hand, don’t be afraid to borrow serving dishes.

4 Create zones
Common areas tend to get congested during a party, so think about the ebb and flow of foot traffic and create identifiable party zones to prevent overcrowding. For example, try putting self-serve beverages on a bar console, the meal on the main table and dessert on the pass-through bar.

5 Creative seating
In a pinch, an ottoman works great for seating. Have a stylish vanity stool in your bedroom? Use that either for seating or as a place for guests to set their appetizer plate, if it has a relatively flat surface. Don’t worry if everything doesn’t match. Although it might seem counterintuitive, this actually creates a cozy, intimate vibe.

6 Simple décor is better
A large, overly ornate arrangement is likely to feel overwhelming in a small space, but a couple of small flower arrangements and an odd number of candlesticks at varying heights for visual interest work perfectly. Small touches go a long way.

7 Set the mood
More so than the size of your space or the food that’s served, your guests will mostly remember the mood of the party and flowing conversation. What’s the best way to set the stage? Turn on some crowd-pleasing music, dim the bright lights and use plenty of votive candles throughout your space. Voilà, cozy feels better than a large space already.

8 Improvise
Sometimes small space entertaining presents an opportunity to flex those creative muscles to think of new ways to maximize your space. Try removing some books from low-hanging shelves and use that space for a refreshment station. Another oldie but goodie is to free up refrigerator space by filling one side of your sink with ice, turning it into an easily accessible wine cooler.

9 Take the party outside
Whether it’s a mild spring day or a crisp, fall evening, enjoy both good weather and friendship by taking the party outdoors. The outside courtyard spaces at Aspens Senior Living are the perfect backdrop for a memorable evening with those who fill you with life and laughter.

10 Ditch striving for perfection
We all inherently want things to be perfect when company comes over, but a successful gathering doesn’t require perfection. In fact, quite the opposite. Your guests don’t want to be impressed – they want to be welcomed into an inviting space to savor companionship and some tasty bites. Go ahead, relieve yourself of the pressure, stress and unrealistic expectations of a Pinterest-perfect party.

When it comes to small space entertaining, be confident in the space you do have and make the most of it. Remember, hosting a memorable get-together is about so much more than square footage.

Aspens Senior Living communities are designed to help you cultivate a lifestyle where you can intentionally focus on the relationships that really matter and make memories together. Find out more.