The Best Kitchen & Dining Features for Entertainers

Hosting a gathering in your home can be extremely gratifying (but often comes with plenty of stressors, too). 

A great way to cut down on the more chaotic side of hosting? Ensuring your kitchen interior is designed to maximize functionality - and the occasional crowd. This not only results in a better hosting experience for you, but it creates a better atmosphere for your guests as well. 

There are many kitchen interior design ideas that lend themselves to hosting based on your personal preferences. In this post, we’ll cover how a flowing layout, quality appliances, concealed storage and more all contribute to a happy, memorable gathering.

The Importance of Kitchen Floor Plans

Kitchens with an open layout design are immediately at an advantage when it comes to hosting guests for a dinner party. 

This interior design style is based on creating seamless integration between rooms and creates a more inclusive space for guests. Often connecting a home’s kitchen directly to the main dining area, open layouts also allow you to keep an eye on guests throughout the night. 

A fantastic addition to many open kitchens is an island with plenty of countertop space. Not only does an island equate to extra prep space before your gathering, but it can work as the perfect gathering area for guests to enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

Appliances Hosts Can Rely On 

A happy host means happy guests and a pleasant, memorable event.

To help cut down on stress, hosts should allocate certain zones for prepping and plating food. This prevents clutter, disorganization, and most importantly, unnecessary stress and is a common feature in functional kitchen design. 

Appliances also play a major role in cultivating a smooth hosting experience. For example, double ovens, prep sinks, and spacious refrigerators all contribute to organization and accessibility. 

Incorporating smart storage solutions can also greatly decrease your stress as host by enhancing silverware and accessory organization. Inserts, dividers, and other related organization tools will make a world of difference when added to your cabinets and pantry.

Image by Becca Tapert / Unsplash

Cultivating the Perfect Ambiance

Hosting a gathering in your home is all about setting the best ambiance - and that ambiance isn’t created by one single feature, rather, it’s the result of complementary features.

We’ve broken ambiance down into three main groups below. 

Lighting: Incorporating layered lighting does wonders for creating pleasant ambiance. This is easily done by including different types of lighting (ambient or accent options), so you’re not relying solely on standard kitchen lighting. Installing dimmers is also a simple, effective option to enhance your home’s ambiance. 

Surfaces: Why do your kitchen and dining surfaces play a role in ambiance? Because they’re one of the most visual features of your space. When considering what surfaces to choose, go for a material that strikes the perfect balance between elegant and practical. For example, granite and quartz are both great options that offer visual appeal and are simple to clean. 

Music: Music plays a huge role in creating ambiance. While not exactly a standard kitchen “feature,” incorporating music into the background of your gathering can make or break the mood. This is easily done by adding in some strategically placed speakers in your kitchen and dining areas. 

Image by OurWhisky Foundation / Pixabay

Prioritize Accessible Storage

Any host knows that proper storage is key in maintaining a smooth entertaining experience - without it, your gathering can quickly go from enjoyable to chaotic. Accessible storage varies based on many aspects of your kitchen, from its layout to the appliances installed. 

Thankfully, proper storage is feasible in any kitchen. For instance, in some homes, a butler’s pantry (or scullery) is the best option. In others, standard cabinetry does the trick. Open shelving can also be beneficial, as it provides easy access to items - just make sure you stay on top of potential clutter. 

No matter the type of storage your kitchen has, allocating specific areas for certain items and making the most of your available space is possible (and the not-so-secret secret to an enjoyable event).

Image by Zac Gudakov / Unsplash

Create the Perfect Kitchen for Hosting 

Our West Palm Beach kitchen design company understands how to create a host’s dream kitchen. From an elegant, practical layout to custom storage solutions, we’ll provide you with countless kitchen design ideas curated to match your ultimate vision. To get started, contact our team today.