How to Turn Your Kitchen Into a Perfect Place to Entertain
Check out these ways to help make your kitchen a sociable hub that works for you and your guests
Amanda Pollard
December 9, 2018
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
If you love to entertain at home, think about how to optimize your kitchen design with seating, lighting and other key elements to help ensure that guests feel comfortable and relaxed, and that you can easily set up the space, cook up a feast and clean up afterward.
Provide Ample Seating
If your kitchen’s dining area isn’t huge but you still want to welcome guests, think about ways to sneak in more seating. A clever trick is to build a banquette, which is more flexible than the usual table-and-chairs setup.
With a bench seat like this, you can accommodate more people than you could if you had four chairs around the table. A bonus is that you can fit storage beneath the seats. Ask a carpenter to incorporate lift-up tops so that you can access the interior.
Photo Flip: 91 Kitchen Banquettes to Start Your Morning Right
Look on Houzz for a carpenter to build a banquette
If your kitchen’s dining area isn’t huge but you still want to welcome guests, think about ways to sneak in more seating. A clever trick is to build a banquette, which is more flexible than the usual table-and-chairs setup.
With a bench seat like this, you can accommodate more people than you could if you had four chairs around the table. A bonus is that you can fit storage beneath the seats. Ask a carpenter to incorporate lift-up tops so that you can access the interior.
Photo Flip: 91 Kitchen Banquettes to Start Your Morning Right
Look on Houzz for a carpenter to build a banquette
Clear the Counters
To accommodate guests comfortably, your kitchen needs to be as uncluttered and spacious as possible, so make sure you have enough storage to keep everything tidy.
In this cozy and eclectic kitchen, the wooden display cabinet is ideal for storing glasses, cups and other tableware, while the open shelves keep cooking equipment out of the way yet easily accessible.
Find china cabinets in the Houzz Shop
To accommodate guests comfortably, your kitchen needs to be as uncluttered and spacious as possible, so make sure you have enough storage to keep everything tidy.
In this cozy and eclectic kitchen, the wooden display cabinet is ideal for storing glasses, cups and other tableware, while the open shelves keep cooking equipment out of the way yet easily accessible.
Find china cabinets in the Houzz Shop
Incorporate a Bar
An island or a peninsula is an informal place for people to chat while you’re preparing food. It can be a large central area or a small breakfast bar like this. As long as there’s enough countertop space to put down glasses, you have a sociable spot where guests can hover.
For added comfort, invest in some bar stools. In this space, there’s only one perch, which is fine for a one-on-one conversation with a friend. If you’re expecting several guests, however, it’s best to move the stool out of the way to allow people to stand comfortably around the bar area.
Shop for bar and counter stools
An island or a peninsula is an informal place for people to chat while you’re preparing food. It can be a large central area or a small breakfast bar like this. As long as there’s enough countertop space to put down glasses, you have a sociable spot where guests can hover.
For added comfort, invest in some bar stools. In this space, there’s only one perch, which is fine for a one-on-one conversation with a friend. If you’re expecting several guests, however, it’s best to move the stool out of the way to allow people to stand comfortably around the bar area.
Shop for bar and counter stools
Eliminate Odors
Avoid overwhelming your guests with cooking odors by ensuring that you have a means for fumes to make their way out of the room. A good range hood is the obvious solution, and there are lots of models to choose from.
This sleek, modern version hangs above the central cooktop. If you prefer a more minimal design, look for hoods that can be concealed in the ceiling or beneath a wall cabinet. Alternatively, invest in a pop-up vent that can tuck into the work surface when not in use.
What to Consider When Adding a Range Hood
Avoid overwhelming your guests with cooking odors by ensuring that you have a means for fumes to make their way out of the room. A good range hood is the obvious solution, and there are lots of models to choose from.
This sleek, modern version hangs above the central cooktop. If you prefer a more minimal design, look for hoods that can be concealed in the ceiling or beneath a wall cabinet. Alternatively, invest in a pop-up vent that can tuck into the work surface when not in use.
What to Consider When Adding a Range Hood
Pick Hardworking Appliances
At the planning stage of a new kitchen, it’s a good idea to factor in how much entertaining you think you’ll be doing. If you like to socialize at home often, take that into account in your kitchen design, particularly when choosing appliances.
Opt for the largest refrigerator you can afford and can fit in the space. Make room for a dishwasher, and consider installing a double oven. The initial outlay may be more, but if hosting guests is part of your lifestyle, it may be worth compromising on other expensive items to make entertaining easier.
Shop for kitchen appliances
At the planning stage of a new kitchen, it’s a good idea to factor in how much entertaining you think you’ll be doing. If you like to socialize at home often, take that into account in your kitchen design, particularly when choosing appliances.
Opt for the largest refrigerator you can afford and can fit in the space. Make room for a dishwasher, and consider installing a double oven. The initial outlay may be more, but if hosting guests is part of your lifestyle, it may be worth compromising on other expensive items to make entertaining easier.
Shop for kitchen appliances
Set the Mood With Lighting
One of the best ways to make guests feel relaxed is by choosing your lighting thoughtfully. It’s important to avoid harsh overhead illumination, yet you don’t want the room to feel dingy.
A layered lighting scheme is key, with pendants and downlights overhead, LED strips beneath the wall cabinets, and perhaps a few table lamps dotted around. With some careful planning, you can create a space that’s bright enough to see clearly but that has a warm, welcoming feel.
Find a lighting designer
One of the best ways to make guests feel relaxed is by choosing your lighting thoughtfully. It’s important to avoid harsh overhead illumination, yet you don’t want the room to feel dingy.
A layered lighting scheme is key, with pendants and downlights overhead, LED strips beneath the wall cabinets, and perhaps a few table lamps dotted around. With some careful planning, you can create a space that’s bright enough to see clearly but that has a warm, welcoming feel.
Find a lighting designer
Choose Easy-Care Surfaces
For you and your guests to feel relaxed in the space, the last thing you want is to worry about spillages and damage. Consider this when choosing your flooring, cabinet finishes and work surfaces.
Go for materials that are durable and easy to maintain, so you don’t spend your evening anxiously hovering over everyone’s wineglasses. A composite countertop like this quartz one is a good choice since it’s sturdy, strong and a breeze to clean.
Your Guide to 15 Popular Kitchen Countertop Materials
Tell us: Do you like to entertain in your kitchen? What’s your recipe for success? Share your ideas in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about kitchen design
Find a kitchen designer
Shop for your kitchen
For you and your guests to feel relaxed in the space, the last thing you want is to worry about spillages and damage. Consider this when choosing your flooring, cabinet finishes and work surfaces.
Go for materials that are durable and easy to maintain, so you don’t spend your evening anxiously hovering over everyone’s wineglasses. A composite countertop like this quartz one is a good choice since it’s sturdy, strong and a breeze to clean.
Your Guide to 15 Popular Kitchen Countertop Materials
Tell us: Do you like to entertain in your kitchen? What’s your recipe for success? Share your ideas in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about kitchen design
Find a kitchen designer
Shop for your kitchen
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Your 'hood is a friendly one. So we have frequent get-togethers at various homes during the year. None of them "start and end in the kitchen". There are two houses that serve off a kitchen bar/counter, but once the food is taken - everyone migrates elsewhere be it a game room, living room, front yard, back yard or a nice size dining room. But gathering around in kitchens? Nope - that's not the best place unless you wish to constantly smell food, listen to dishes, pots, trays, etc. clunking or ice popping and the fan going. Most people have smaller size kitchens that can only hold less than 4 people. Not great places to party - at least in our 'hood.
Lampsusa, I agree. We have a semi-open house. Every time we have a party, even when there are 40-50 people, everyone congregates in the kitchen despite the fact that the den is just 10 feet away and I set the food up on the dining room table which is at the other end of the house. It gets so crowded that I have to actually herd people to the den and the attached library which opens to the den. Go figure. I’ve learned over the years to get everything done ahead of time so I’m not trying to cook or clean among a herd of people.
The kitchen is often the place where people congregate most so we totally agree that it's an important space to get right.