At Home With POPSUGAR: How I Hosted a Lavish Brunch in My 500-Square-Foot Apartment

Updated on 3/1/2020 at 5:30 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Alexandra Lykins

I'll be the first to admit it: I love spending hours scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest for images of beautiful parties I'd never be able to pull off. But after spending way too much time fantasizing over snaps of picture-perfect brunches one day, I decided to try to host one myself. The only difference between my brunch and those I was looking at in my feeds? Mine would be in my tiny apartment and on a budget.

Feeling a little intimated — because, well, we all know how perfect everything on social media can look — I went into this with an open mind. And after a few hours of shopping, I realized that my own ideas for brunch were actually much better than ones I was trying to emulate. I let my imagination run wild, and the result was a tropical-themed spread that impressed all my friends (and myself!). So, if you want a little brunch inspiration for your next get-together, keep reading for five tips on how to pull it off in a small space. Just remember: put your own touches on everything, enjoy your time with your guests, and take plenty of pictures. Cheers!

Seating

It doesn't matter how much or how little seating you have in your home; what matters is how you space things out. I personally think the cozier, the better, which worked perfectly in my small apartment. We munched on appetizers around the kitchen island before moving to the table that housed a floral oasis! And while the table was full, we still had plenty of room to move around and relax.

To brighten up the space and make it feel more open, I mixed and matched my tableware. For example, these sets from Williams Sonoma and Anthropologie would work fabulously together, especially if you pair them with basic gold charger plates underneath. Don't be afraid to use bold colors!

Champagne

Whether you'll be enjoying a little bubbly or not during brunch, sipping your drink of choice out of Champagne flutes gives the meal a fun and sophisticated feel. And it's always fun to mix and match flute patterns to complement your color scheme.

To save on space, make a small drink station in your kitchen. This will help eliminate any unwanted bottles or containers taking up space on the brunch table.

Party Favors

Although it's not your traditional party favor, planting succulents for your guests and making them the place settings can be such a fun and unique touch. Not only do you get to customize your gifts to your guests, but the plants also preassign seating and help everyone avoid scrambling around a small space for a seat. Plus, your guests get to take them home and remember the fun day for a while.

I knew I wanted my brunch to feel tropical, full of flowers and fruits, but what would I do with all those touches at the end of the get-together? Another great gift to your guests is sending each of them home with a few beautiful flowers and fruits you bought for the brunch!

Tablescape

I recommend getting a round table so everyone can see each other and easily chat. Round tables fit nicely in smaller spaces and allow for more room to get up and move around when needed.

I started creating my tablescape by setting the tableware exactly how I wanted, and since my brunch focused on finger foods, there was no need for silverware (a huge space-saver!). Once the plates were set where I wanted them, I placed flowers all over the table (tip: just try not to make it looked too staged). I then placed fruit — some of which I cut and some of which I left whole — around the Champagne in the middle of the table.

Flowers

Flowers do wonders for brightening up a small space. They can light up a room and help guests feel like they're outside in the fresh Spring air. Pick out whatever you think will complement your tableware and home. Let your brunch be your brunch — rock your style with confidence. Who doesn't love a home full of fresh flowers?