Living in a vibrant city like Edmonton has its perks, as you can conveniently meet up with friends to enjoy the city life. For example, you can have a pre-concert dinner and drinks party before heading to Rogers Place, or enjoy a casual dinner party at your place during one of Edmonton’s summer festivals. Hosting events within the comfort of your apartment can be quite enjoyable. You are guaranteed to wow your guests and have a wonderful time with little planning and creativity.
Preparing Your Apartment for Hosting
Preparation is critical when hosting to make your guests feel at home and comfortable. A step that can make your guests feel like they have a room to move around in is decluttering. Consider giving your furniture a new home. For instance, try clearing your coffee table and removing those extra chairs in your living room. Your guests will appreciate the standing space, which is ideal for socializing. With minimal socializing space, people are bound to step on each other’s toes, which is not the best.
Take your hosting skills a level higher by considering how you can fully utilize your surfaces. Sills, shelves, counters: these areas can serve as food and drink-providing spaces. By reducing the mosh pit of supporters, nobody gets annoyed, and it ensures that everything is easy to access.
Setting the Mood
The feel of your event is important as it contributes to its success. To set the right tone, consider lighting. For instance, string lights and candles—when safely placed—provide a warm, inviting atmosphere, making the space feel cozy and charming at the same time.
Building this atmosphere requires the inclusion of other components, music for example. Don’t forget to create a gathering playlist to accompany the vibes of the event. It could range from upbeat songs for casual meet-ups to soft melodies for intimate dinners. The volume should be moderate enough to permit easy-flowing conversation among guests.
As for decorations, they should have a great impact but be minimal at the same time. Rather than bulky décor that can be quite difficult to store, utilize wall items such as banners and fairy lights. Or better yet, fresh flowers with small centerpieces can beautify the room without flooding it.
Planning Food and Drinks
When planning small apartment gatherings, the food and drink selection should be simple. This is ideal for finger foods and other easily prepared appetizers. Think of slider sandwiches, charcuterie boards, or even mini pastries that guests can eat while mingling or standing.
Regarding drinks, a self-serve system is engaging and efficient. Set up a bar cart or designate a counter area for guests to prepare their drinks. Ensure that there are mocktails or sparkling water so everyone is considered.
Being Polite To Your Neighbours
Perhaps the most crucial area to pay attention to when throwing events in an apartment building is your neighbours. Let them know about the event in advance, especially if you plan on having it go late into the night or involve music. Staff keeping the noise at a reasonable level would do great wonders for community relations.
Think about the maximum capacity and the quiet time policy defined for the building. These policies are often put down into one’s lease, so it is critical to follow them to eliminate issues.
Maximizing The Potential Of Downtown Edmonton
The area around Rogers Place and the ICE District can be used for inspiration for themed events centered around local events. Festivals also make a huge return during summer, like the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival, and the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival. You could host a pre-festival brunch or an after-party where friends can share their favorite moments from these events.
If you are going to Rogers Place for a concert, Katy Perry in July or Creed in August, the concert warm-up get-together at your place is the best way to get the evening going. Plan for your guests to come earlier so that they can have some snacks and drinks before leaving with you all to enjoy what the Edmonton music scene has to offer.
Post-Event Cleanup Tips
Once the party is over, getting through cleaning will allow you to reset your apartment in no time at all. Throughout the duration of the event, have some trash bags set up so that your guests can toss their trash without a hassle. When the event is done, focus on one area of the room, for example, the counters and tables, then the floors, and move on to the next area.
If you have used cups or plates, simply soaking them will allow washing them to be done easier later on. If you have spills or stains on any furniture, take care of them immediately with the right cleaning materials.
Conclusion
Transforming your apartment into a venue for events does not have to be complex, as with proper planning it can be made enjoyable for you and the guests. Every space, no matter how small, can be thoughtfully utilized to enhance the experience. Living at The Switch at Station Lands, located in Downtown Edmonton, puts you in close proximity to The ICE District and Rogers Place, enabling you to fully immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
Feel free to turn up at any given time, invite over friends and family, celebrate moments and memories that showcase both your style essentials and the essence spirit of Edmonton.
