Entertaining: It’s an honor and a hassle. Friends expect to use your bathroom, drink out of your glasses, and sit on your furniture, as if any of those things are ever really clean. That pressure can be overwhelming, but don’t panic! Here are some quick, chic tips that any DIY-er can get down with in preparation for the one get-together you will ever have in this apartment.
Primp With Paint
Painting is a simple solution to spruce up your walls and compliment the framed artwork you bought for the sole purpose of impressing people. Commit to coating a single wall, an entire room, or even your entire apartment if you prefer to spend more time with a roller than with the friends you’re inviting over (and who doesn’t!).
Invest in Mirrors
Mirrors are a cost-effective and attractive way to make a small space appear bigger while forcing you to literally face yourself and acknowledge that you should socialize more. That dark corner you currently use as your cry-with-your-head-against-the-wall nook? Spruce it up with a decorative mirror that cries, “Look at me, world!” instead and provide your guests with a way to analyze their own flaws so they spend less time wondering why you don’t own more than three glasses.
Provide Ample Seating
Sure, when you’re home alone, 12 chairs and two fully furnished seating areas may seem like a bit much, but when you finally get around to inviting people over, they’re going to want somewhere to take a load off. Investing in a couch, multiple love seats, at least one accent lounger, six dining room chairs, and a couple of decorative yet functional poufs says that you care about the comfort of your guests. Plus, when they leave, these seats become perfect places to store both your clean and dirty laundry.
Plants, Plants, Plants!
Indoor greenery is the perfect party guest (better than Heather from work, anyway!). Head to your local florist and grab a couple of gorgeous potted succulents or a hearty indoor ficus tree. These will add a nice pop of color and prove to your few friends that you do care for other living things, so long as you only have to water them once a month. Even if your guests end up being no-shows since you “live kinda far,” at least you can talk to your plants!
Stock Your Bar Cart
Is there anything better than drinks on wheels? Whether you renovate a vintage piece or purchase a new one, a bar cart is a staple in any living space for hostesses who like to keep a rolling, personal bar by their side when no one else is around. Make sure your cart has a variety of full bottles of wine and spirits so as to avoid the “Whoa, did you drink all that yourself?” queries when your buds finally enter your humble abode.
Better Your Bathroom
Functionality is key to small space decor but it’s time to put your oversized college mug filled with tampons back under the sink. Organize a small toilet top tray with guest essentials like hand lotion, air freshener, a candle, and a small, framed black and white image of a little girl in a tutu pulling a wagon. That way, you’ll finally have an excuse to buy hand soap!
Tidy Your Bedroom
Please make your bed, just this once. We know it feels weird, and it’ll probably take a few tries to get right. But trust us: Once everyone leaves and you slide under that unrumpled comforter, you’ll be so thrilled that you’ll vow to make your bed every day. You won’t, but it doesn’t matter. That’s the last time your friends will ever see your house.
At least, we hope it is. Cheers!
