Turn a Small Kitchen into the Perfect Hosting Space

A small kitchen used to keep Mackenzi Pitman from hosting. Now, three years after joining a local dinner party club, the lifestyle blogger and author combines beauty with functionality to host successful gatherings. Here are three tips from Pitman for using a smaller space for hosting.

1. Go for Fulfillment, Not Envy

“I think it’s really easy to [host] in a way that says, ‘Look at me; look at what I have,’” says Pitman. “I really like breaking it down to simple hospitality in a way that makes people feel seen and welcome at your table so that they leave your home feeling filled.”

2. Go for Originality, Not Risk

When Pitman hosts, she chooses a recipe that is a safe bet. With ingredients like potatoes, carrots, rotisserie chicken, onions, peas, blackened seasoning and a homemade pie crust recipe from her father-in-law, Pitman’s chicken pot pie is sure to wow any crowd.

3. Go for Simplicity, Not Complexity

Frilly decorations and expensive china are nice to have, but these extra add-ins aren’t the point of hosting. Instead, Pitman says she visits her family’s flea market, RZ’s Antiques and Flea Market, when she needs a little something extra.