The table is already doing three jobs: weekday meals, homework, and the place where unopened mail waits. That does not rule out having friends over. It just means apartment hosting works best when the room can change roles quickly and no one has to squeeze past a maze of furniture.
Plan the Room Before the Menu
Decide where coats will go, where drinks can sit, and how people will move between the door, kitchen, and seats. A small side table or cleared bookshelf can hold drinks so the dining surface stays available for plates. If you need to shift furniture, move only what opens a useful path rather than trying to recreate a formal dining room.
Add Seats That Can Disappear
Folding chairs are useful when they have a real storage spot, such as behind a closet door or beside a tall wardrobe. A backless stool can serve as an extra seat and tuck beneath a counter afterward, while a bench can make better use of a wall than several separate chairs. Keep exits and walkways clear, particularly when children are part of the gathering.
Keep the Gathering Comfortable
Choose food that can be served from one counter or brought to the table in a few trips; a big bowl of pasta, salad, and bread can feel welcoming without turning the kitchen into a service station. Put water and glasses where guests can help themselves, and use cloth napkins or a bright runner for an easy bit of color. The best measure of a successful dinner is not how many people fit around the table, but whether you got to sit down with them.