Whether you have a few guests from out of town or like to throw get togethers regularly, the kitchen is an integral part of entertaining. Adding these ten upgrades to your kitchen can make all the difference when it comes to wowing guests and keeping the party running smoothly.
Raised Countertop
Raising half of your countertop to bar height gives you both a surface to do prep work, and space for entertaining. You can serve guests directly from the counter, whether they are standing or sitting on stools. The raised bar also acts as a room divider in an open floorplan, designating a spot for guests to mingle and leaving the rest of your kitchen clear.
Showcase Lighting
Consider adding LED lights under counters for accent lighting, accentuating your backsplash, highlighting a bar area, or what you are serving. Cabinet lighting, especially in combination with glass front cabinets can really highlight your drinkware, making it easy for guests to serve themselves. Pendant lights are also an easy way to make your space feel more luxurious and inviting. The soft overhead lighting provided by pendant lights is more flattering for guests as well.
Extended Island
Depending on the amount of space you have, there are many different options for larger kitchen islands that make an excellent area for entertaining. Consider a wider island, a T-shaped island, or an extension into a dining table.
Wine Bar or Wet Bar
Having a separate area for guests to get drinks is a great way to keep the kitchen clear and keep visitors entertained. Consider installing a wet bar off of the kitchen with a sink and ice maker, or a wine area with customized storage for bottles and glasses.
Separate Work Zones
Everyone seems to crowd into the kitchen during parties, so if you have the floorspace, separating the kitchen into sections is a great way to keep it open. Consider different island areas, one with a refrigerator and sink, and another with prep space, the oven, and cooktop. Even if you can’t completely separate the areas, make sure your work zones are clear with different spaces for preparation, cooking, and washing.
Large Apron Front Sink
Anyone who entertains in their home knows, with many guests comes a big clean up. Having a large or even industrial-sized sink can take the stress out of cleaning so many pots and pans, dishes, and glassware. It is also a great place to store these items until you have time to clean up after the party.
Open Floorplan
Enjoying time with friends and family, but also being able to get to the kitchen to prepare and serve food and drinks, is a cornerstone of being a great host. If you have a dining room that you rarely use, consider taking down the wall and creating an open floor plan. The rooms will not only feel more spacious, but you will also be able to see and mingle with everyone.
Appliance Upgrades
There are so many appliance upgrade options that you can do without turning your kitchen into a full industrial space. Options like double ranges, warming drawers, specialty beverage refrigerators, and larger refrigerators will all come in handy when entertaining guests.
Specialty Cabinets
With seemingly endless options for customization, specialty cabinets have become popular in all types of kitchen remodels. Most people are familiar with cabinets that hide the trash, but others can be made to hide small appliances from the countertop, hold coffee pods in an organized way, and stay open on hinges. These little conveniences add up when entertaining guests.
Add a Television
Whether you’re having people over to watch the big game or overnight guests who want to see the morning news, a television in the kitchen is an easy and great addition. With custom cabinetry, screens can be mounted within cabinet spaces or in between the counter and upper cabinets, keeping them out of the way of the prep space but also visible to everyone in the kitchen.
If you are interested in remodeling your kitchen, the professional designers at Brothers can help turn your inspiration and ideas into your dream kitchen. Schedule a free, no pressure consultation today.
