One of the things that I’m enjoying most about my new apartment is the extra space that it gives me for entertaining. Our living room can now hold more than 1 extra person at a time… it’s very exciting!
Last Sunday, we had friends over for dinner. Including small children, of whom there were many, there were 12 people in my house at the same time. It’s still amazing to me that I can host a gathering of that size. We didn’t have a fancy dinner, just pizza which the adults ate sitting on the couches and the kids ate at the kitchen table. But it was so nice to be able to host friends and share a nice evening together.
I think this is one of the most important ways that living in a bigger space, even though we pay more in rent, will actually end up saving us money. We won’t need to go out to eat to entertain. We won’t have to hold birthday parties at special venues (unless we want to avoid the mess in our house). We’ll be able to throw a party or two. I also feel a lot less stress living here, which lead in the old house to eating out because I couldn’t be bothered cooking, or getting fast food for the same reasons.
Along with the practical aspect of living in a bigger space comes the way that we can open our house and home to others. I feel more comfortable inviting my kids’ friends over for play dates, which is so nice for them. I am able to host meetings for the associations to which I belong, meaning that we can meet in a more central location. We will be able to put up friends who come to France on vacation, and my brother might be able to stay with us for a year while he goes to school. My husband can even start to invite his friends over as well, although with his friends come electric guitars- I don’t know how happy the neighbors will be!
Our new apartment isn’t huge, certainly not by American standards. It’s about 1100 square feet, which is for us, just big enough. But more importantly than the added floor space it gives us is the added ability to make room in our home for others.
How do you make room in your family and home for others?
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{ 7 comments }
I think having the space for others is so important- small spaces are just too isolating! I’ve recently purchased a larger dining table and I can’t wait to share meals with friends :).
.-= Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog´s last blog ..How much does your face cost? =-.
One other great advantage is that cleaning and organizing gets easier. Ok the surface is bigger but then everything has a home. I remember when my dining room table was my office/craft area. We either ate on it for a couple of days or I did my crafts ;o)
I couldn't be bothered by cleaning up every day
.-= Imene´s last blog ..Blogviews: Lucy from {a-black-pepper} =-.
I just found your blog through the blog carnival. I have really enjoyed reading! Having lived in Switzerland for 4 years, I understand about the smaller homes but the size does not make it- the people do. Hospitality is so important for ourselves, our friends, and children. What memories are made in the comfort of a family home!
.-= Dina-Marie: dimes2vines.blogspot.com´s last blog ..Coupon Organization =-.
My home is about 1,000 square feet! What makes the space functional is an open layout between kitchen, dining room and living room.
I have a dining room table with a leaf to expand it to six settings, and also a card table with four chairs. That means I can host 10 people for a sit-down luncheon or dinner by putting the card table in an area that would normally is living room space.
When we have overnight guests, a camp bed goes up either in my daughter's room or in the dining room – whichever seems to be the best arrangement for the occasion. We can handle one or two overnight guests easily that way. Three overnight guests has been done, but gets a little more crowded.
.-= Monroe on a Budget´s last blog ..Michigan welfare workers overwhelmed =-.
I recently moved from a studio apartment to a one bedroom and I totally agree with you regarding the extra space. Actually, my new place isn't THAT much bigger than the old one–but having a separate bedroom/living room makes a huge difference. Before when people came to visit, they always felt awkward about sitting down on my bed–but since my bedroom was also my living room, dining room and sometime even office, there wasn't much choice in the matter. Now that I have a living room–and a new futon sofa!–people are more relaxed about sitting down.
.-= Stella´s last blog ..Give Thanks for Wine =-.
My place is fairly small but I agree in that it's very important to have some kind of common area for others. It changes the environment and atmosphere drastically.
Congratulations on the new digs! As someone who's about to downgrade the size of my home, you're inspirational. 🙂
When it comes to entertaining, I don't apologize for what I don't have. And I'm generous with what I do have. I've never had anyone complain about snacking on the couch, or crafting with me around my not-so-huge kitchen table. It's nice to have space to gather, but I don't think people judge as much as we (the hostess) are afraid they will.
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Walking With You – Thankful =-.