Have you ever noticed that the life of the party is always in one room, no matter the size of the house? Usually the kitchen or the living room. If the room is too large and the crowd too small, the party is less of a success because the guests are dispersed. Ease of conversation is naturally linked to proximity. For example: Are you more likely to chat with someone across the room or next to you on the couch?
It’s pretty simple — intimate spaces enhance social activity.
Lina Menard hosts a Dinner Party in the Bayside Bungalow
In a Tiny House RV, the space is very intimate, so you’ll have no trouble filling your living room / kitchen combination with about 10-15 standing guests. Perfect for small gatherings, but what if you want to have a larger party? Don’t panic, it is possible! After all, you’re a Tiny House RV owner that thrives on creative spaces.
This is my third holiday season as a tiny houser. It feels good to host company, even though most of my guests live in a house 15 times larger than my Tumbleweed. At my dinner parties – which usually include 4 to 6 people – my guests always compliment the creative techniques I use to accommodate them. Below I’ve listed some advice for hosting in a tiny space. Feel free to add your own tips in the comments. Happy Holidays everyone!
5 Tips to Host Company in your Tumbleweed
Holiday decor – using the porch. Photo credit: Megbuilds.com
1). Place your decorations high and low
In a small house, every inch is valuable real estate. When decorating for the holidays, place items high and low so that they won’t take up “body space” – the area where your guests may stand or sit. I like to hang decorations from the ceiling, such as mistletoe and string lights. If you’re celebrating Christmas, try some of these space saving decorating alternatives.
Photo credit: Tiny House Giant Journey
2). Create a folding dining table
Dining tables take up a lot of room. To save space, purchase or build a folding dining table. My table has a low profile when stored against the wall, but it also folds down in two different ways to accommodate 2-6 guests. When it’s in the folded up position, it also acts as a chalkboard.
Get cozy! A small space will make your event feel intimate.
photo credit: Tiny House Giant Journey
3). Prepare the correct amount of food and think about your dishes
My tiny kitchen has a mini-fridge/freezer and a three burner stovetop. No oven, no microwave. It’s important for me to cook the correct amount of food, without piles of leftovers. I also consider my meal choice wisely, with close attention to serving dishes and tupperware.
Brittany’s Tumbleweed kitchen. photo credit: Bayside Bungalow
My favorite winter dish to serve is homemade chili. Any soup, stew or curry can be prepared in one pot, which reduces the amount of dishes I have to do. I can serve chili to my guests in bowls which will take up less space on my table. Leftovers can be stored in one container, saving space in my refrigerator. I can also re-heat chili easily on my stovetop. It’s truly the perfect hosting dish for a Tiny Houser.
photo credit: Tiny House Giant Journey
4). Create a folding spare bed
When I host company from out of town, I like to offer them a place to spend the night. If your relatives aren’t too picky about their accommodation, you can get creative in inventing an extra sleeping space in your Tiny House RV. I designed my couch to fold out into a full size bed. Usually, I offer my loft to my guests and I sleep on the downstairs fold out. Sometimes my guests prefer the downstairs bed so they don’t have to climb into the loft. Either way, I’m able to accommodate two guests overnight.
5). Make a “How To” for unusual appliances
I have a compost toilet, which can be strange for some people. Instead of verbally telling my guests how to do their business, I’ve made a funny booklet with cartoon images that I leave in the bathroom. Often my guests will comment on my “Do Your Business Card” with a chuckle, breaking the ice of what could have been an awkward conversation.
