Local • December 11, 2022

Ideas for giving back this holiday season

by Stephanie K. Chan

With the holidays fast approaching, you may find yourself in the holiday spirit, or perhaps in more of a stressed-out spirit. Either way, it’s a wonderful time of year to give back to your community.

You’ll find that there are countless opportunities to get involved this time of year, and taking time to think of others and do some good can help put everything else in perspective. Here are some of the ways you can give back this holiday season.

Donate to Your Preferred Charity
Charitable giving is one of the most effective ways you can help people and organizations in need. Volunteering your time and skills is excellent, but every organization needs money and resources on-hand to cope with new challenges. There are many options out there for charities you can donate to. A few favorites among people looking to donate during the holiday season include Toys for Tots, Meals on Wheels, and St. Jude.

If you plan to donate physical items like toys or supplies, keep in mind that some charitable organizations place restrictions on what they will accept this time of year. Check your charity’s website to see what items they need the most.

Volunteer at a Local Food Bank
Food banks are always on the lookout for volunteers. From sorting food to delivering meals to hosting food drives, there are plenty of ways to provide hands-on help. Many food banks even allow for virtual volunteering too. For instance, Feeding America is an organization that provides volunteers with the opportunity to write thank-you notes or make thank-you calls to donors. If you have children, they could help you decorate cards with drawings or stickers.

Help a Neighbor
One of the simplest ways you can get involved in your community is by doing something nice for a neighbor. If you have an elderly, or less-mobile neighbor, consider lending a hand with property upkeep – raking leaves, shoveling snow, hanging holiday lights. Once cooler temperatures set in, elderly individuals or those with limited mobility might find it difficult to complete such arduous tasks. Small tasks go a long way too – helping with groceries or packages, bringing in a trash can, etc.

Start a Holiday Donation Jar with Your Family
If you have children, a holiday donation jar is a great way to get everyone in the family involved in the holiday season. For instance, your children could donate a portion of their allowance to the jar. You could also match your children’s donations and set a goal to reach by the end of the holiday season. Decide together where your funds will go so everyone is invested in the outcome.

Visit a Nursing Home or Children’s Hospital
The holidays can be a lonely time for many people, especially those that are unable to go home or be with loved ones. Facilities like children’s hospitals and nursing homes usually welcome visitors, but it’s important to call ahead of time to make sure. Ask what time is best for visiting, which residents are most in need of company, and what activities they might enjoy. You can plan to read stories, sing songs, or just have a friendly conversation.

However you decide to give back this year, know that even the smallest efforts can make a world of a difference to someone in need. Our community is stronger when we work together.

Economy • December 9, 2022

Why You Might Not Want to Get too Excited (or Nervous) About a Housing Crash

by Stephanie K. Chan

Why You Might Not Want to Get too Excited (or Nervous) About a Housing Crash

Rising interest rates and slightly lower demand in the market has caused many people to believe that a housing crash is imminent. Despite some signs that the market is slowing down, you shouldn’t get too worried or excited about the possibility of a housing crash.

Recent Economic and Market Changes
Inflation in the U.S. has been on the rise since mid 2021 and reached a 40-year high of 8.2% in September. To combat the increase in inflation, the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates multiple times throughout 2022, making it more expensive to borrow money. These rapid rate changes directly impact the housing market – mortgage rates have doubled this year, which has caused some buyers to pause their home search, and sellers to receive fewer offers on average.

Another factor at play is the Russian-Ukraine war. A ban on Russian oil has driven up energy prices, which in-turn has led to more inflation.

These rapid changes in consumer prices and home prices have been jarring for many consumers and have stirred concerns of a recession and/or housing crash. The good news is that the U.S. job market remains strong, and consumer spending is steady despite the effects of inflation.

Signs Point to a Strong Market
Despite the warning signs that the housing market might be slowing down, there isn’t any indication that there’s going to be a significant downturn in the market that will allow you to buy a home at a much cheaper price.

For one, buyer demand is still high. Many Millennials are expected to buy homes for the first time in the coming years. In 2021, first-time homebuyers made up the largest share of homebuyers at 34%. Since there are a high number of first-time buyers in the market, it’s likely that demand will continue to be strong for the foreseeable future.

Secondly, housing inventory remains near historical lows. A housing crash usually happens when there is excess inventory and hardly any buyers. Lending standards are also much stricter today than in 2008, reducing the number of loan defaults and foreclosures.

As long as home values and demand remain high, there isn’t much that can cause the housing market to crash. If you want to buy a home, property values might drop slightly throughout the remainder of 2022, however you shouldn’t expect a sizable drop anytime soon.

Buying • Oahu Housing Statistics • Selling • December 7, 2022

November 2022 Oahu Housing Statistics Report

by Stephanie K. Chan

Price Reductions Increase Amid Sluggish O‘ahu Home Sales
Median sales price for condos drops 4% year-over-year to $480,000

O‘ahu’s single-family home and condo markets experienced a significant year-over-year decline in sales, falling 48.2% and 43.4%, respectively. The median sales price for a single-family home rose 9.5% to $1,149,500, while the median sales price for a condo dipped 4.0% to $480,000 compared to November 2021.

The number of single-family homes and condos sold over the original asking price dropped significantly, falling 73% and 68%, respectively. More active listings underwent price adjustments in November 2022, with approximately 46% of single-family home active listings and 36% of active condo listings experiencing a price reduction at some point during their time on the market.

Active inventory continued to build across Oʻahu, with single-family home supply more than doubling in the Central Oʻahu, the Ewa Plain, Leeward, Pearl City, and Waipahu regions compared to a year ago. The condo supply increased in all regions except Diamond Head and Pearl City.

“We’re seeing more sellers adjusting the price of their listings to remain competitive on the market in the face of the gradual increase in new inventory and properties spending more days on the market,” says Chad Takesue, president of the Honolulu Board of REALTORS^®. “Though buyers are dealing with higher financing costs than a year ago, contracts are closing daily, albeit at a slower pace and volume than in 2021.”

Closed sales in both markets declined across most price points, with single-family homes in the $700,000 to $1,099,999 price range accounting for the most significant decrease, down 55% year-over-year. Condos within the $400,000 to $699,999 price range dropped by 50% compared to a year ago, although properties in the $2 million and above price range doubled. Both markets in the Ewa Plain (down 64% for single-family homes and 65% for condos) and Metro regions (down 54% for single-family homes and 43% for condos) accounted for the most significant decline in closed sales. Meanwhile, around 180 property sales closed under $500,000 in November 2022.

“It’s likely that first-time homebuyers purchased many of these properties under $500,000. We encourage potential buyers to remember that homeownership is possible in Hawai‘i when you prepare, plan accordingly and work with a professional REALTOR^®,” Takesue adds.

Considerable pockets of single-family home inventory were available at all price points, with properties in the $600,000 to $999,999 range reaching a 175% boost year-over-year. Condo supply fluctuated across price margins, although properties in the $400,000 to $1,999,999 range saw a 45% increase, and properties priced at $399,999 and below were down by 11%. Active condo listings priced above $2 million decreased by 17%.

Home Improvement • Selling • November 28, 2022

How to Figure Out Your Home’s Square Footage—and Why It Matters

by Stephanie K. Chan

One of the first questions a potential buyer will have about any home after learning its location and price is the square footage. Square footage is the easiest way to indicate the size of the home, and it’s the best way to gauge whether it’s a fit for your family.

Of course, homes don’t come with this number stamped across their sides, and in fact, not all real estate listings have an accurate square footage listed. Read on to learn how to find or calculate the square footage of your home and what that means for potential resale.

Finding Your Square Footage

Your home’s square footage can be easily found in a few different places—no measuring required—if you know where to look.

“The Assessor’s Office in a given town typically has this on what’s called a field card, but homeowners may also be able to get that information from the Town Building Department,” says Dawn Ruffini, 2022 President at Massachusetts Association of Realtors.

In other parts of the country, these officers might be referred to as the property appraiser, county recorder, or a fiscal office. If you’re unsure, you can call your country or city officials and ask who might have this record on file.

If you’re about to sell your home or curious about the square footage of a home you’re looking to buy, start by asking your real estate agent for help.

“As a Realtor, I often use the MLS [multiple listing service] to look up a home,” says Lauryn Dempsey, Realtor at Lauryn Dempsey Real Estate. “In the MLS, we can see property tax information, which includes square footage. This information is connected to Core Logic’s public records database, Realist.”

Typical or average square footage will vary widely based on where you are. Ruffini works in Massachusetts, where the average square footage for homes sold in the last year was 1,654 square feet. Dempsey works in Denver, Colorado, where the average size of a home is based on when it was built. She says homes built in the 1950s and 1960s average anywhere from 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, while new two-story builds range from 2,500 to 3,500 square feet. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median size of single-family homes completed in 2021 was 2,273 square feet.

How to Calculate Your Home’s Square Footage

While there could be a few places where your square footage is listed, it’s not always accurate.

“As a good listing practice, especially in the dynamic real estate market that we have today, I recommend agents get their listings measured by an appraiser so that the home can be advertised with accurate square footage,” Dempsey says.

To get a more accurate number, your best bet is to hire a licensed appraiser who can come in and measure, Dempsey says. Bret Ceren, an associate broker at Platinum Living Realty, says that some home improvement stores may even offer a service that will come out and measure your home’s square footage for a nominal fee.

You can calculate your own square footage by measuring the size of each room and adding it all up, but those calculations likely won’t count for anything official. Ruffini even cautions against measuring your home’s square footage on your own. (Of course, if you’re measuring it out of curiosity and don’t need that square footage number for anything official, measure away.)

“As far as I’m aware, the town wouldn’t take an owner’s calculated square footage without verifying it themselves,” she says.

That’s because appraisers follow a standard practice of measurement set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These standards also require that property renderings and dimensions be computer generated rather than hand drawn.

Keep in mind there are parts of your home that don’t factor into your overall square footage.

“Basements do count in square footage, however, not all square footage is equal,” Dempsey says. “Above grade—the main level and higher—square footage is worth more than below grade, a basement.”

Dempsey says that, if two ranch homes are each 1,500 square feet but one has a basement that accounts for half of that square footage and one does not, the home without the basement will be considered more valuable: Its larger above-grade space is more valuable.

The types of square footage that count is different based on where you live, Ceren says. In Arizona, the calculation is called “under roof,” meaning square footage totals are part of the main home. If a sunroom is fully enclosed with windows and ventilated, it would count. But an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that was separate from the main home would not. In short, make sure you understand how your area does its calculations so you know how much house you’re dealing with.

Why Does Square Footage Matter?

The more space your home has, the more it will likely sell for. But keep in mind that not every family wants a mansion, and some buyers are looking to downsize to a smaller, more manageable home, depending on their stage in life.

“Square footage is like Goldilocks,” Dempsey says. “Too little square footage or too much square footage could mean you’re making another move sooner than if you find the right amount. When I work with buyers, I ask them to imagine what their life looks like in three to five years. This helps them understand and begin to visualize how much space they need and want.”

Regardless of how much space you want, it’s safe to say that the larger the property, the higher the cost.

“Every square foot adds value,” Dempsey says.

More space could also mean higher taxes. When you update your square footage with the local agencies in your area, you will likely see a change in what you owe each year. Additional square footage (even if it’s from correcting an inaccurate measurement) improves the home, Dempsey says, and reported improvements increase taxes.

One square footage–related trend to keep in mind is that a number of Americans are working remotely from home now. As a result, many buyers are looking for homes that offer quite work spaces in addition to bedrooms and living spaces, Dempsey says—and those additional desires often mean buyers are looking for more square footage.

“I don’t see that trend changing for the foreseeable future due to our new working environment,” she says. “In fact, many of my buyers need two offices and a space for out-of-state guests to stay comfortably for an extended period of time.”

Home Fun • Home Improvement • November 25, 2022

Game On: High-end Gaming Tables Come Out of the Basement

by Stephanie K. Chan

Gleaming gourmet kitchens. Magnificent living spaces. Ample bedroom suites. When it comes to luxury homes, some interior must-haves are fairly obvious. But, today, a newer space is being elevated from niche to necessary: the grand game room.

Decked out with custom game tables cloaked in contemporary, bespoke grandeur, these spaces are delivering a new level of home entertainment, triggered — not surprisingly — by the start of Covid-19. But while the pandemic certainly put game rooms in finer focus, high-end manufacturers and retailers continue to see buyer demand today.

Photo by Anthony Barcelo

“During the pandemic, people were forced to spend more time at home, which created a higher demand for game tables, resulting in direct growth for IMPATIA,” says Gregg Brodarick, founder and creative director of the Italian-based, artisan-crafted luxury game table company. “In terms of growth for the luxury game room, this aspect is mainly driven by the interior design community and homeowners’ desire to revamp their average basement or entertainment room into something much more modern, immersive, and aesthetically beautiful.”

That modern aesthetic is a hefty departure from the more traditional look that dominated the game table market for decades. It’s also one of the reasons Los Angeles-based luxury gaming design company, 11 Ravens, has experienced “extreme growth” in luxury game tables over the last decade, says founder Michael Zaretsky.

“We attribute our growth and popularity to a number of factors. One, we began creating custom luxury game tables with modern design that was never offered before. Traditionally you see antique, carved-wood, heavy pool tables. Two, Covid has increased play at home, and then the improvement of Covid bringing employees back into the office has incentivized companies to create amenities like game rooms in their offices.”

11 Ravens/Arclight Chess Table

Billiards tables remain a cornerstone for these high-end brands, comprising the largest share of the game room market, with sales that are expected to reach $291.6 million by 2028. “We see pool/billiards as the most consistent product trending with our clients worldwide,” says Zaretsky.

But they’re hardly the only option. Today, you may be just as likely to walk into a $19 million Corona del Mar home and entertain in a space that features custom shuffleboard and ping-pong tables, as well as three full-size pinball machines. Or this exceptional $52 million Bel Air estate, which is magnificent in every inch of its 36,000 square feet. That includes the expansive game room, with billiards, ping-pong, and foosball tables, as well as shuffleboard.

IMPATIA/ Fillotto

IMPATIA/Derby

IMPATIA’s all-time, top-selling game tables, the contemporary glass Fillotto pool table, and the Lungolinea ping-pong table, fashioned in Italian leather with a glass playing surface, are indicative of the look luxury homeowners and designers have been seeking. Over the past year, the company has seen increased demand for their Unootto poker table, which also features an all-glass playing surface, and their newly launched glass-top Derby foosball table.

For 11 Ravens, contemporary trending spurred the addition of premium lucite to their collection. Lucite is available on the company’s Avettore, Theseus, Macan, and Malibu styles, the last of which Zaretsky calls a “versatile and popular model with sleek and minimalist lines (that is) also easily customized with materials like teak for outdoor use, hemp wood for sustainability, or metal finishes for a luxurious reflective surface.”

Photo by Anthony Barcelo

With clean lines, an abundance of customizable options, and designs that can look more like sculpture than leisure, these sophisticated high-end tables can fit in with any kind of décor and exhibit an appeal that makes them showoff worthy. “A big trend we are seeing is more modern aesthetics combined with premium materiality versus the traditional bulky game tables,” says Brodarick. “Putting a stronger focus on the design of each game table has resulted in clients and designers being more inclined to incorporate game tables into their everyday spaces as a statement piece rather than just hiding them in a basement.”

Home Fun • November 19, 2022

Meet Your Neighbors with These Three Party Ideas

by Stephanie K. Chan

If your strategy for meeting the neighbors is a quick hello while walking the dog or picking up your mail, you need a better approach. Here are three ideas for neighborhood get-togethers that are easy to organize, inexpensive and a lot of fun.

Progressive Dinner – Organize a progressive dinner party that involves traveling to several homes, each serving up a different course to the meal. Start with hors d’oeuvres at the first home, then move on to soup or salad at the next, an entrée at the next and then end with dessert at the final home. Leisurely pacing out the evening in this way is the perfect way to encourage lively chit-chat between bites and en route to the next destination. And because everyone chips in, no one host is burdened with the cost, preparation or clean-up for the entire meal.
Progressive Party – Put an engaging twist on the traditional cocktail party by applying the progressive concept to adult beverages: each stop can feature its own signature drink. There are all kinds of ways to spice things up, such as establishing an imaginative theme to the evening or having each home come up with a quirky name for its individual concoction. Once the creative juices start flowing, so will the conversation!
Game Night – A small group of eight or fewer can meet up for a rousing game night. Everyone has their favorites, whether it’s trivia that tests your knowledge or a drawing game that gives you a chance to exhibit your artistic prowess. Teaming up and encouraging a little bit of healthy competition among friends (and soon-to-be-friends) is a sure way to get further acquainted while having fun in the process.

Since you already share a neighborhood, you may as well find out what else you have in common. This spring, assemble the troops and plan some creative festivities to mix and mingle.

Home Improvement • November 15, 2022

Savvy Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value

by Stephanie K. Chan

Whether you plan to be in your home for just a few more months or many more years, there are plenty of efficient ways to maximize your space and increase its value. This type of investment needn’t require a loan, nor does it have to span any great length of time. From green living to greenery in your yard, here are a few impactful and straightforward means of boosting your home’s value and appeal over the short or long term.

A Smart Move

Green is the new black. Any form of energy efficiencies and conservation in your home will inevitably be a fiscal gain. Whether you install energy-saving window treatments or solar panels, both options can reduce utility expenses for you and any future inhabitants. When it comes time to replace appliances, a prudent decision would be to select a “smart” model of said item, which can significantly lower long-term energy costs.

While on the topic of efficiency, a wise investment would be installing “smart” devices throughout your property. Think digital features such as automated blinds or shades, security cameras, door locks, security lighting and thermostats. When you’re ready to sell, the smart tech will appeal to buyers with a penchant for the added value of convenience and connectivity.

Wide Open Spaces

Create visual space in rooms by keeping them clutter-free and organized, which can be solved by simply installing a stylish shelving unit to keep extraneous items out of sight. Seek the help of a professional organizer who will be bursting with innovative ideas to optimize the storage areas in your dwelling.

Another way to increase square footage without a renovation is to let the sunshine in! Avoid heavy drapes and instead, use modern window treatments that add height such as roller, Roman or cellular shades. Similarly, you can position a decorative floor-to-ceiling mirror in any room to visually double your space.

From the Bottom Up

Explore the possibility of replacing the flooring in a few key spaces. A unique, beautiful and buzzworthy material is cork, which is also known to have antibacterial properties. If you opt for new surfaces under your feet, consider installing radiant heating simultaneously. These systems not only add optimum comfort, but are also aesthetically pleasing and energy efficient.

Make an impact through your lighting choices. Utilize contemporary or dramatic fixtures to complement each room. Whether you choose minimal or eye-catching designs – the right piece in the optimal locale can add intrigue and substance to your residence.

Kick It Up a Notch

Significant updates to your kitchen and bathroom are sure to boost value. Modern appliances and updated décor increase appeal to buyers, so consider a new backsplash or that roomy farmhouse-style sink you’ve been eyeing. Think one step further and install a water filtration system to add practicality and luxury to your dwelling. Additional elements like stylish sconces, a new vanity or a vintage mirror can elevate functionality and increase allure.

It’s Only Natural

Consider your front and backyard. If there is an area that would benefit from some striking landscaping or creative plantings, explore your options or consult with a professional landscape architect or designer. Executed well, a garden or other natural elements in your yard can become lovely extensions of your home’s indoor atmosphere.

When you look around, there are many ways to enhance the comfort and appeal of your property that will serve you well as a resident – and add value one day when you’re ready to sell.

Home Improvement • Homeowner Tips • November 14, 2022

5 New Year’s Resolutions for the Home

by Stephanie K. Chan

Instead of repeating New Year’s resolutions that you’ll never keep, this year try setting a few home improvement goals. You’re certainly aware of the typical “paint your front door” advice for a quick home improvement, but you can save the prettying-up for spring and address the basics now. These resolutions will have an immediate impact on your daily quality of life and help you go into the new year worry-free.

Kitchen

If you consider your kitchen the beating heart of your house, cook up some ways to perform preventative maintenance on your appliances. Machines that receive the brunt of day-to-day use (the refrigerator, dishwasher and stove) deserve a deep cleaning and a checkup. Make sure to thoroughly clean behind and underneath them and address any operational issues so you can plan for necessary repairs or replacements.

Improvement Idea: Give your kitchen a little TLC by having the countertops resealed and installing a backsplash.

Living Spaces

There’s nothing quite like settling into a room that’s refreshed from top-to-bottom with spotless windows and floors. Consider renting a floor cleaning machine or scheduling professional services. Furniture with upholstery should get a good steam treatment, and walls could likely use a wipe down to erase months (or years) of smudges and stains. Once you’re finished, your home will look, and more importantly, feel as good as new.

Improvement Idea: To keep floors clean and cut down on the amount of dust particles, irritants and floaters in open areas, consider using air purifiers, entryway shoe racks and robot vacuums/mops.

Garage

Whether it’s your hobby space, tinkering spot or storage for miscellaneous items, the garage is often looked over when it comes to home upkeep – so bring this “out of sight, out of mind” space into the spotlight. Take inventory of everything inside your garage. If you have any unwanted items, set them aside for donation or get rid of them. For everything else, reorganize and declutter by prioritizing items you use often and storing away items that are used sparingly.

Improvement Idea: If you have a bare garage floor, consider having a professional coat it with paint, concrete sealant or epoxy.

Exterior
Think about a big project that you haven’t had time to get to or have been putting off. Are there leaves or debris still sitting in the gutter? Should a pressure washing be scheduled in the upcoming months? Could the landscaping use a touch-up? Once you have a game plan, you can buckle down and tackle these projects one by one.

Improvement Idea: If now isn’t the best time to deal with outdoor projects, calling around to gather info/quotes and set dates is a simple first step to getting these chores taken care of.

To-do lists for home are never exciting, but by setting aside a time allotment for each area, grabbing some help (with the promise of a reward) and setting up your favorite music playlist, you can lighten the load. You’ll finish up with the pride of knowing your home has been renewed and well-kept for the months to come and be proud that you actually kept your New Year’s resolutions this year!

Homeowner Tips • November 13, 2022

No, a Den Isn’t Exactly the Same Thing as a Living Room or Family Room

by Stephanie K. Chan

You might have a room in your home that you refer to as a den, but did you know the term has a formal, official meaning when it appears in real estate listings? Just as there’s a technical difference between a family room and a living room, a den—formally speaking—has a distinct purpose in the home.

“A den is a second living space that can work as a family room or home office,” says Stayce Mayfield, a principal agent with Redfin.

Of course, there’s a bit more to it than that, including where the room typically appears in a home’s layout and what is required for it to officially be considered a den. With help from the experts, we’ll explore everything you need to know about a den, whether you’re considering a property with a den or wondering if you can highlight the presence of a den in your own home in your listing.

What Is a Den?

A den is a room typically used as a secondary living space or office. It is often a smaller, cozier room than the primary living space and can function as a library, home movie theater, or any number of other recreation spaces. The name comes from bear dens, which provide shelter to hibernating bears in winter (hence the emphasis on coziness in many uses of a den). Dens are their own rooms, clearly delineated by walls—you won’t often see dens as part of an open-concept floor plan.

The room itself must have both a window and heating and cooling to be considered a den, according to Mayfield, though technical or legal requirements may vary by locale. (Some people might even argue that the absence of a window makes the room cozier.)

“It’s meant to be separate and sovereign from living and dining rooms and, traditionally, media rooms,” says Frances Katzen of Douglas Elliman. Unlike with bedrooms, there are no formal requirements for dens in New York City—the term is more descriptive than anything else, and dens (and most living spaces) aren’t subject to the same kind of legal requirements that bedrooms are.

Minette Schwartz of Compass in Miami agrees that dens aren’t typically formally defined in her region. In both of these areas, you won’t necessarily see a den listed in the properly layout or description in MLS, but photos and your tour of the home will show a sort of bonus room used by different owners for various things.

Schwartz points out that dens offer a unique layout solution in homes.

“For new homes, dens are a way to minimize corridors or hallways,” she says. “So for the second floor, you would enter an open space with a lounge area or tv room and each bedroom would be connected—by door—to the den. Historically, you would climb stairs and enter a labyrinth of hallways to get to bedrooms [instead].”

dormer hangout room sofa boho pillows bold poufs gold accents — JOHN BESSLER

Whether it doubles as a transitional room or is simply a secondary living space, dens are becoming more common.

“Dens have become more and more popular,” Mayfield says. “I didn’t grow up in a house that had a den, but I feel it’s a great addition, as it allows for more space, and when you have guests over, they tend to sit in the formal living room. It’s nice to have the extra room.”

How Do Dens Hurt or Help Property Listings?

Like any kind of bonus room, a den is added space that is certain to boost your home’s resale potential. In some cases, a small den might not be a major bonus if it compromises space you might have otherwise enjoyed as part of the living or dining room, for example. But most homes with a layout that includes a den have plenty of room to spare.

“People will even look at it as an additional bedroom, pending the home layout,” Mayfield says.

To boost appeal, the room can be staged to show potential buyers how they might use the space.

“It can be staged as many things: family room with a comfortable couch or sofa, TV area, game room, play room for kids, office space, art studio, music room, etc.,” Mayfield says. “Anything your heart desires.”

Schwartz suggests a home gym or yoga studio as other potential uses for a den. In today’s work-from-home age, presenting a den as a home office could be a major selling point.

“People want space to themselves and crave privacy, so a den offers another place for that—it offers a blank slate to compensate for lost function elsewhere in the home,” Katzen says.

Home Fun • November 10, 2022

9 Tips for Throwing a Larger-Than-Life Party in a Small Apartment

by Stephanie K. Chan

Throwing a party in a small apartment can seem overwhelming. From the drinks to the food to the decor, party planning involves a lot of prep work. But it’s all totally doable—even in a small apartment. You don’t need a huge living room or a sprawling backyard to host a good party. With a good set-up, the right playlist, and a tasty menu, guests won’t notice (or care!) how tight the space is.

We’ll walk you through planning and hosting a party for any size living area. With our best tips and tricks, you can be the host with the most—even if you don’t have the most space.

living space gray white color and orange chairs — NATHAN SCHRODER

Pick a Main Room

Whether you’re hosting a seated dinner party or dishing up tapas and tequila drinks, you’ll want to have a central space for the partying to go down. Kitchen quarters too tight? Move your table to the living room and rearrange any couches or chairs to fit. If that doesn’t work, hide them away in other rooms. That’s what curtains are for, right?

bar cart with cocktails — JASON DONNELLY

Bottoms Up

What’s a party without a little pop-fizz-clink? Give your squad the ultimate bottle service with a choice of both red and white wine, plus a signature cocktail. Keep bottles on hand so guests can make what they want. Make sure the drink station or bar cart is in the main room so you can play bartender while still hobnobbing. Remember to put wine charms ($15 for 10, Etsy) on glasses before the party to prevent confusion.

Pop a Squat

No space for a full dining table? Go low. Use your coffee table as eating space! Toss down oversize throw pillows or lay down comfy rugs for guests to sit on. It will give the party a boho vibe.

pink hanging diy party streamers video still

Set the Mood

Ambiance is the key to a great party, and nothing sets the mood like a few festive party streamers! Make your own DIY crepe paper streamers to take your party set-up to the next level. The best part? Since they lay relatively flat to the wall, they won’t take up any much-needed space.

sparkling rose with bottles and snacks — JASON DONNELLY

Keep It Casual

Whether you’re serving a full meal or casual snacks, the serving style informal. Plates of appetizers and finger foods arranged on the coffee table or another small surface will save space, and guests can help themselves as they walk by.

person taking a photo of homemade pizza — KIM CORNELISON

Prep Ahead of Time

Make sure your food—or at least the appetizers—are ready before guests arrive. It’ll prevent you from being in the kitchen and missing the fun. Plus, guests won’t feel obligated to squeeze into your kitchen to help. Once eating time is over, tuck the plates away in the kitchen but save the real cleanup for later.

Serve Finger Foods

Serving finger foods at your party means that your guests won’t be crowded around one table to eat. They can grab, graze, and go! Provide cocktail napkins and plastic plates to make for easy eating on-the-go. Plus, disposable options can go straight in the trash, rather than cluttering up the sink or counter area.

full charcuterie board with almonds fruit and veggies — DERA BURRESON

Bust Out Your Best Serveware

Mix and match fancy serving spoons with a classy wood cheese board ($20, Target) for a chic way to display and serve the nosh without taking up table space for formal plating. You can never go wrong with a charcuterie selection! Some of our favorite flavor combos include prosciutto + Brie, salami + Havarti, and chorizo + goat cheese. Round it out with crackers, olives, dips, and fruit.

pink dahlias small diy leftover tile vase planter project — JASON DONNELLY

The Power of Flowers

Fresh flowers will give your party an extra touch of class. Although flowers are a treat, beware of anything too fragrant. Smells affect taste, and you might not want your dips to taste floral. Keep heavily scented arrangements away from the buffet table and let them add color to the party space. Varieties of roses in fun colors look great and have a lovely subtle aroma.