Entertaining Well in a Small Dining Space
Hosting in a compact flat does not mean scaling back on style. With the right glassware and a clever serving set-up, even a small dining table in a Maltese apartment or maisonette can feel ready for a proper occasion.
Raise a glass in style
Part of the joy of having guests round is bringing out glassware that feels a little special, kept aside for the evenings that matter. A good carafe and a set of glasses do more than hold a drink, they dress the table and make even sparkling water or iced tea feel like an occasion.
IKEA's 365+ carafe with stopper is a practical choice for this, keeping drinks fresh on a warm Maltese evening when guests tend to linger outdoors or by an open window. Paired with IKEA's OSTBIT tray, carrying glasses to and from a small kitchen becomes far less fiddly, which matters when every step counts in a compact home.
IKEA 365+ carafe with stopper, clear glass/cork, 1 l
OSTBIT tray, bamboo, 25x33 cm
FÖRNUFT 24-piece cutlery set, stainless steel
STORSINT wine glass, clear glass, 49 cl, 6 pack
BLANDA MATT serving bowl, bamboo, 20 cm
STORSINT red wine glass, clear glass, 67 cl, 6 pack
A tapas night for a tight kitchen
When the kitchen is small but sits close to the dining table, there is a real advantage: food can go straight from pan to plate with no long walk in between. Rather than planning one big dinner, a spread of small dishes works better, letting guests pick at whatever they fancy and keeping the evening relaxed and unhurried.
IKEA's GLADELIG plate and GRÖNSAKER serving bowl are suited to exactly this kind of grazing, while the GRÖNSAKER 2-piece salad servers set makes passing dishes around an easy, informal affair. A TYNGDLÖS tray with 3 bowls is handy for dips and olives, and TREBENT chopsticks 4 pairs add a nice touch if the menu leans towards something more adventurous. Prepare everything on a STOLTHET chopping board, then set it straight on the BORGEBY coffee table if friends end up gathered in the living area instead.
TREBENT chopsticks 4 pairs, bamboo
GLADELIG plate, grey, 31x19 cm
TYNGDLÖS tray with 3 bowls, bamboo/white, 12 cm
GRÖNSAKER 2-piece salad servers set, bamboo
GRÖNSAKER serving bowl, bamboo, 28 cm
STOLTHET chopping board, bamboo, 35x22 cm
Small spaces across Malta and Gozo can still host memorable evenings with the right pieces to hand. Maltashopper brings these items straight to your door, ready for your next gathering.