How To Get Your Kitchen Ready For Entertaining
/The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, especially if you love to entertain. On a normal day, you cook a delicious meal for your family on the stove, while your kids sit at the island and do their homework. When the holidays roll around, the kitchen becomes the heart of your home, where friends and family gather to enjoy good food and better company.
Whether you’re preparing an intimate meal for two or a dinner buffet for 50, your kitchen design needs to meet your storage, prep, serving, and cleanup needs. Thus, it is incredibly important to give ample thought to how you want your kitchen to function – for everyday use and as an entertainment space. The questions below will help you narrow down your entertaining style so you can decide what features will work best in your kitchen renovation.
What types of gatherings do you host – casual, formal, buffets or sit-down meals?
How many people do you typically entertain at one time?
How many parties do you plan to host during the year?
Do you prefer to serve the food or have guests serve themselves at a buffet in the kitchen?
Will you cook yourself or hire a caterer?
Will you rely on guests to bring any food? If so, do you have adequate storage space? Enough oven or microwave space to reheat items? Enough counter space if your guest needs to prepare their dish?
Will your kitchen function as something other than an entertaining space, like an office, craft room or homework area?
Once you’ve established your kitchen needs, it’s time to determine what appliances will best meet them. Here are some key features to consider when undergoing a kitchen remodel that will allow you to entertain with ease:
Kitchen Islands
Islands are multi-functional design aspects that should be included in every host[ess]’s kitchen! This elegant kitchen design in Yardley boasts a large island complete with plenty of storage and copious counter space to prep meals. Consider adding barstools to give guests an extra seat or to serve as a homework space for your kids!
Beverage Bars & Drink Stations
Beverage bars give homeowners a designated space away from the cooking area to entertain guests, provide additional storage, and can be scaled to fit almost any space. Imagine preparing your morning coffee at your very own coffee bar like the one shown below left or enjoying delicious wine – chilled perfectly in your wine refrigerator pictured below right!
Storage Options
The more parties you throw, the more dishes, platters, food, and booze to store, so be sure to account for storage when undergoing a kitchen remodel. Allocate enough space for kitchen cabinets and drawers and be sure you’re using your corner cabinets optimally. You have more options than Lazy Susans!
Seating
When you’re entertaining, it’s important to have plenty of seating for your guests. Consider integrating a butcher’s block into the island, like this one in Richboro, that doubles as a kitchen table or add a few barstools to give people a place to socialize while you cook.
Gadgets
From rotisseries to pizza ovens to espresso makers, there are plenty of fun kitchen gadgets that will enhance your cooking and entertaining experiences. A beverage bar like the one below left, complete with a wine fridge and stemware holders, would be an ideal addition to any wine lover’s kitchen. Or maybe USB outlets and a kitchen office will ensure you can answer the latest email without burning dinner.
Personal Touches
Whether you’re looking for custom tile work, intricate moldings or elaborate oven hoods, Lang’s Kitchen & Bath will work with you to incorporate any personal touches you may have in mind for your kitchen.
No matter your desires, Lang’s Kitchen & Bath will design and deliver a customized kitchen design that meets your specific requirements. Before you start planning your kitchen renovation, call us at 215-968-5300 or visit our Newtown storefront to learn more about all the features that will make your kitchen ideal for entertaining!
