Crowded summer parties can get hot. I'd like to make my place welcoming, not sweltering. Is that possible?
"The two things people most often overlook when throwing a party are music and temperature," says Barnes. Remember that more bodies mean more heat — so avoid inviting more people than your space can comfortably handle. (Barnes's rule of thumb for a cocktail party is four to five square feet per guest.) If you have central air-conditioning, Barnes suggests setting it a few degrees lower than normal before your party, then monitoring the temperature as the room fills up. Remember that as people drink — or eat spicy food — they tend to feel hotter.