The Smartest Ways to Add More Seating to Your Next Holiday Party
Getting everyone together for holiday parties is a comforting practice as the weather turns chilly: Eating out and company together can be the best part of the holiday hustle, but finding a place for everyone to sit can be a challenge. Whether you’re seating people around a table or adding seating for evening cocktails, there are some easy fixes.
Before you run out to buy something new, take a look at what you already have. You might have an office chair that you hardly ever use, or a pair of stools pushed up to the counter that you can repurpose. You can use chair covers to spruce up existing seats without adding too much clutter. If you get creative, you can even use an outdoor seat cover. A stretch covered picnic bench will add extra seating and no one gets wiser.
Add some stylish folding seats
One of the main elements of a quick additional seat is a folding chair. They can be tucked away in a basement or closet when not in use, but clunky metal or plastic chairs can ruin the overall look. Using a wooden folding chair can be more attractive and comfortable for guests, and if you want to change your style, you can add a chair cushion for color and comfort. Another option is to add a bench instead of individual chairs, which can sometimes give you an extra seat or two at the table if your guests don’t mind settling in. You can find a folding bench seat that will store flat like a folding table and add six feet of seating along one side of the table.
Make your table bigger
To expand your table space, you can add a standard leaf to your dining room countertop, but there are other ways to expand the space even if you don’t have leaves. You can use a sheet of plywood to increase the space by placing a larger topper over an existing surface. Measure the size of the temporary table top, and then measure the length and width of the existing table. Add blocks in each corner on the underside of your plywood around the edges where your existing countertop will sit. Add some padding to the permanent countertop to protect it from scratches and then place the temporary countertop. The blocks will prevent the topper from slipping. Be sure to sand the plywood to avoid splinters and use a tablecloth to decorate it.
use the floor
For a less formal seating arrangement, a pouffe or floor cushion can be added, which will stretch the space and give people more places to sit. For something more structured, you can opt for a folding outdoor chair as an affordable option. Using a low table, such as a coffee table, with impromptu seating near the floor can accommodate more guests without major rework. Keeping some seating low to the floor will also help create socializing areas where people can congregate.
Add a drink shelf
To make the most of the space, you can organize your meals in a buffet style so you don’t have to use table surfaces for serving. Using a folding table with a tablecloth can be a good serving solution, or you can use existing kitchen surfaces if available. Arranging tables around the room can also make the space look more open and allow more people to congregate without having to balance multiple plates on your lap. A shelf on a ledge or a small wall shelf next to one or two chairs gives people a place to have drinks without taking up much space. You can make your own with a couple of shelf brackets and a board if you have a screwdriver to attach it for a simple extra surface. Just be sure to place one bracket for every 18 inches of board length for a stable shelf.