Love to Entertain? This is How to Design Your Kitchen.

If you host New Year’s Eve, Thanksgiving, or any of the holidays in between, you know what a hindrance a poorly-designed kitchen can be:

A work area that’s too-tight and a kitchen workflow that seems to neither work nor flow? Limited counter space? The closed-off feeling of being stuck in the kitchen while the rest of the family gathers in the living room?

Your kitchen just doesn’t work, and it takes entertaining from fun to frustrating.

When you’re ready for a kitchen redesign, all of those entertaining issues can be addressed. Keep these details in mind as you design a kitchen for entertaining:

Photo Credit: Stunning Transitional Kitchen in Westport, CT

The Best Kitchen Layout for Entertaining: Open Concept

An open kitchen is a benefit for your guests because it allows them to wander and mingle freely in and out of rooms. It also provides a benefit to you, because it gives you the ability to not only hear your guests having fun but actually get to see them and join in! 

Note: It's a good idea if there are little ones in the family as well that you need to keep an eye on.

While you might still feel the pressure of being the host, an open layout allows you to actually be involved in conversations as you prepare those canapés.

Photo Credit: Fresh Farmhouse Kitchen in North Haven, CT

Design the Right Flow: Include an Island

A kitchen island allows for extra prep space and extra seating when you need it, making it perfect for those days that you’re entertaining. An island can also be a great place to tuck away those appliances that every host dreams of, like a warming drawer, wine fridge or a second oven. Don’t forget to plan for any other details that will help make the island more functional, such as extra outlets or shelving.

Photo Credit: Beach House Kitchen in Guilford, CT

Create an Entertainment Center Kitchen: Include a Beverage Station

A beverage station is a dream come true for those who like to host because it allows you to create a little space where guests can serve themselves. You can stock it with wine, cocktail ingredients, water, coffee, tea -- it keeps beverages out of the way while ensuring guests drinks remain topped off.

When you’re designing this area, add a small fridge and perhaps a microwave that can be used to heat up cold coffee or appetizers.

Photo Credit: Historic Home Kitchen in Madison, CT

Make a Plan: Kitchen Storage

The last thing you want to do when you have a house full of people and a meal ready to come out of the oven is run all over looking for where you stored that extra-large platter.

When you create your ideal entertaining kitchen, don’t forget the less-glamorous topic of kitchen storage. Consider the plates, pots, pans, glasses and serveware you use most when hosting, and create a spot for everything. Think about how your current pantry functions, and what changes might make it easier to use. You might also want to include cabinetry that allows you to easily hide items that normally sit on your countertop, such as your coffee maker or blender.

Photo Credit: White Kitchen Remodel in Woodbridge, CT

Create a Convenient Kitchen: Make it Easy for You

Just because you love hosting doesn’t mean you love clean-up. Choose durable and easy-to-clean materials that make the post-party work a breeze. Install toe-kick vacuums for quick sweeping. The right flooring, countertops, backsplash, paint, and appliances can all play a part in making sure the perfect entertaining kitchen stays that way.

Now that you know what your kitchen can do, just be prepared -- once you have the ideal entertaining kitchen, your guests won’t want to leave.

What tips do you use to make entertaining easier? We’d love to hear your ideas-- share them with us on our Facebook page.