Big Thanksgiving, Small Space
tips for hosting without a dining room
Originally Published Homes.com Big Thanksgiving, Small Space: Tips for hosting without a dining room
November 11, 2025
Thanksgiving feasts come in all shapes and sizes, but a universal rule of the holiday is there’s always room for one more at the table. But what do you do when there is physically no more room at the table?
Thanksgiving might be one of the only formal meals you host in your home each year, so you might need some extra supplies and planning to pull off the dinner. American Society of Interior Designers members Stacey Breezeel and Natalie Biles shared tips on hosting big dinners in small spaces.
"My biggest tip is to love where you are. Some of the most memorable gatherings happen in the smallest spaces. With a little planning, you can host a beautiful Thanksgiving anywhere," said Biles, who is an owner and lead designer with Breezeel of Shine Interior Design Studio, based in Lonoke, Arkansas.
Use every seat and surface
If you live in a small home, apartment or don’t have a dining space, then you might need to set up a temporary table. Look around your home for the biggest space or spaces where you can set tables.
Pro tip: "Get creative with the space you already have," said Breezeel. "Look beyond your dining area and see what extra spots could work for seating. Do you have a garage, patio or even a cleared-out corner of a living room or spare room that can be transformed with a few chairs and good lighting?"
Living rooms are often the biggest rooms, so use that space as the temporary dining room. For seating, use what chairs you have. Even the couch could serve as a bench.
"Take inventory of your available chairs, tables and serving surfaces — ottomans, benches and coffee tables can all do double duty," said Natalie Biles, lead designer and owner of Shine Interior Design Studio. "Move pieces around and borrow folding tables or chairs if you need to."
You can get creative with the layout. “L”- or “U”-shaped table spaces are able to fit a lot of people without taking up too much space. Folding tables and tablecloths can be your friend in extending the tables. If you are short on chairs, ask guests if they have spares that can be easily moved or look for simple folding chairs.
Pro tip: "Mixing up table shapes and sizes also helps; side tables, consoles or folding tables can extend your serving space without feeling crowded," Breezeel said. "The goal is to make every guest comfortable, not to make the space perfect."
Keep kitchen clear
With limited seating, you may also face limited space to serve. There are a few ways to alleviate traffic jams to ensure everyone is getting their plates full and hot.
"Clear off kitchen counters, consoles or sideboards and turn them into serving stations. Using existing furniture as a buffet keeps the main table open for dining and conversation," Biles said. "Group similar items together — drinks in one area, desserts in another — so guests can move easily without crowding."
For cooking in a small kitchen, it’s best to spread out the prep. The main item that needs to be cooked fresh the day of is the turkey, but most sides can be prepped the day before or in the morning before guests arrive.
"Do as much prep as you can ahead of time, and think strategically about what dishes don’t need to be served hot," Breezeel said. "A few room-temperature sides or desserts can simplify and free up oven space."
Pro tip: "Insulated coolers are also your secret weapon — they can keep food warm until it’s time to serve and then double as extra seating once they’re empty," Breezeel said.
With different seating options, the height of chairs might not be consistent. But the most important thing is that everyone is comfortable. Prioritize seating older guests in the most comfortable chairs. For shorter chairs, you can sit on pillows for extra height or have taller guests take the seats.
Organize the flow
With extra tables, chairs and people in the home, the room might feel cramped at times.
"Be intentional about how guests will move through the space," Breezeel said. "Look for alternate areas to set up drinks or desserts. Often, a console, bar cart or side table can easily serve as a mini station and free up valuable counter or dining space."
You can delay setting up all the chairs, but you likely will have the tables set up prior to the dinner. Save space by pushing tables against the walls or out of the way.
Pro tip: "Defining a few small zones for lounging, serving and dining helps the flow feel natural and keeps even a compact home feeling comfortable and welcoming," Breezeel said.
Having a seating chart will help guests know where they can sit and cut down on wasted space or gaps in the table.
When serving food, if you are doing a buffet, have only a few people go up at a time so it's easy to navigate. Another option is serving food family-style by setting out large portions of the dishes on platters then setting them on the table in lieu of a centerpiece. Once the food is served, people can pass the plates around and serve themselves while staying seated.
Writer
Katherine Lutge is a staff writer for Homes.com. With a degree in multimedia journalism and political science from Virginia Tech, Katherine previously reported for Hearst Connecticut Media Group as a city hall reporter and a statewide business and consumer reporter.
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