Big Entertaining in a Small Space

Instant Side Table

No extra furniture needed when you have the versatile butler’s tray and stand. It's perfect as a makeshift bar, or it could function as a food serving station. When you’re not using the stand, it folds right up, and the tray can be stored on top of the refrigerator or a side table.

Butler’s Stand and Tray
Tray $59 to $69 (tray)
Stand $169 (stand)
Available at West Elm

Smart Serving

Flat is the way to go, and these smart serving plates have a slightly raised rim so they take up very little space in the cabinet. The smallest size can even double as a dinner plate.

Shopping Tip: You can’t go wrong by investing in white dishes and serving pieces. Different styles and shapes seamlessly come together, and you can still mix in a few colorful accents.

Cuatro Platters
$2 to $15
Available at CB2

Easy Glassware

What muffin stumps were to bakers, glass stems are becoming to entertainers: unneeded. Wine (both red and white), martinis, and even champagne are being served in easy-to-store stemless glasses. When the party is over, these can go right in the dishwasher.

Stemless Glasses
$8
Available at World Market

Rise Up

When there isn’t a lot of space on the table, go up. A tiered serving tray can delicately display snacks and hors d’oeuvres early in the meal, and then can be transitioned later for desserts.

Great White 3-Tier Stand
$45
Available at Pottery Barn

Please Pass the …

The eternal space saver, the lazy Susan has come out of the cupboard and onto the table. Made from an old oak wine barrel, this version will look great in the center of your table and keep condiments and wine within reach.
When not in use for a party, keep this in your pantry to display your spices. Or place it on top of a side table, so that when you need reading light, you can just turn the lamp closer.

Wine Barrel Lazy Susan
$129
Available at VivaTerra

Hands-Free

These plates were made for walking (around the party, that is). If limited seating is a problem, these little plates just might save the day. With a notch for a stemmed wine glass, it will hold your wine so you can enjoy the appetizers.

Mingling Plates
$24 (set of 4)
Available at Pottery Barn

Your Serve

Serving utensils are smart investments for the holiday entertaining season. A regular soup spoon won’t cut it when it’s time to serve stuffing. This five-piece set will have every dish covered with two slotted spoons, a large serving spoon, meat fork, and ladle.

Serving Utensils
$50
Available at Target

Some Like It Hot

Any side table or bookcase instantly becomes a buffet with a cordless warming tray. After being unplugged, side dishes will stay warm up to an hour.

Warming Tray
$100
Available at Target

Extra Eye

Some apartments and houses have less-than-desirable kitchens. Older cooktops and uneven burners can leave you in a bind. So pick up an extra hot plate to help with the meal preparation. When you’ve finished cooking, don’t worry. This college student’s culinary friend takes up very little space.

Hot Plate
$19
Available at Wal-Mart

The Entertainer

If you think years of hosting parties is in your near future, it might be a good idea to stock up on extra plates now. Intended to be used just for entertaining, this set of 12 dinner plates even comes in a sturdy box for storing.

Caterer’s Set of Plates
$39 (salad set)
$49 (dinner set)
Available at Pottery Barn

Grab a Plate

Serving dinner buffet-style is casual and can save space. To aid in the process, look to a cupboard organizer to help set up everything. The wire rack system not only helps organize your dishes in the cabinets, but also makes setting up the buffet a snap.

Corner Shelf
$18
Available at The Container Store

As You Like It

It’s a stool, no it’s a table –- really, it can be both. Depending on your needs, this versatile piece of furniture can be pulled to use as a makeshift side table or extra seating.

Bar Stool/Table
$40
Available at Ikea

Salt and Pepper

There is no need to buy fancy salt and pepper shakers when you can use little bamboo dishes. Guests can just take a pinch and pass them on. And these can be used for anything else, because the bamboo doesn't absorb flavors. Later, you can fill them with soy sauce for sushi or ketchup for fries.

Small Condiment Cups
$5 (set of 2)
Available at Branch

Multipurpose Pieces

With four small bowls on a black wooden tray, this set looks great together. You can also disassemble it and use the bowls to serve a sauce or side dish and the tray to serve drinks or appetizers.

Tokyo Four-Part Server
$20
Available at CB2