Are you a lover of entertaining and you want to create the perfect space that is as ergonomic as possible for you and your guests? There are a few key things to consider when designing a kitchen that is based on entertaining for example having a well thought out structure and design. Whether you have an open-plan space, a large kitchen or planning on expanding, we have put together some useful tips for when it comes to designing an area for entertaining guests.
The Kitchen Layout
Consider the flow of the kitchen when designing the layout. Where will the prep and cooking areas be? Where will you sit your guests in relation to this? Can all areas and appliances be accessed while guests are in the room? With the trend for open-plan spaces increasing within the home, the kitchen and dining/living room are often merged into one. Adding an island to the space is a great way to introduce your guests to sit at the start of the night while you are still cooking, allowing you to interact with each other still. It also acts as a divider from the other zones and keeps your guests at a safe distance from the cooking and prepping areas.
To further reinforce your guests being with you while you food prep, make sure this area faces the seating area so they are included in the room. If you get flustered while cooking and you feel too exposed, a split level island might be a solution; it will provide seating for the guests, but the chef’s activity is not at immediate eye level.
A handmade bar area is another nice touch to entertain in the kitchen. Placing it to one side of the island away from the main kitchen area will keep your guests close by but not in the way. You could even place a dining table between the kitchen and drinks area to make a practical space to serve both the dining table and kitchen.
The handmade furniture
Even if the kitchen isn’t used for entertaining, it still needs to fulfil a practical purpose, and that is why it is important to consider the cabinetry and furniture early on. The worktops not only have to look good, but they need to perform. Quartz and granite are popular, create a luxury finish and are highly durable. They are used a lot in open-plan spaces as the colour can be incorporated in the design scheme or even as a focal point. Different colours can also be used to create zones, defining the different areas for the different purposes it is made for.
When it comes to seating, a large table to entertain at is common in a kitchen that has been purposely built for entertaining and where there’s enough space. Alternatively, a kitchen island or breakfast bar can be useful for informal seating, where guest can sit and socialise whilst the dinner is cooking if your dining area happens to be in the next room.
The appliances
Adding a sink and hob to the central island allows you to design the ultimate entertaining kitchen without having your back to guests whilst cooking, enabling everyone to get involved in all the action going on elsewhere in the space.
Avoid putting the fridge/freezer and dishwasher in the high footfall path of the kitchen. You want to get to these easily when entertaining, you might even want to keep the dishwasher out of sight when clearing plates. Before you start planning, decide which appliances are your must haves and work them into the kitchen design, so you can use them efficiently and plan them into the different zones of the room.
Another way to impress your guests is a drinks area that is completed with a wine cooler and storage for glassware and drinks.
The finished look
Use a two-tone colour scheme instead of just one neutral colour to create zones in the room. A large open-plan can certainly take on a bold colour, a chandelier or a feature wall, and can easily be changed if you want to redecorate.
Lighting in the kitchen is another important factor to consider. You need to have adequate lighting for food preparation, but also adding a low-level lighting scheme will create a relaxing ambience when it’s time to relax after the hustle and bustle of mealtime.
If you would like to know more about our bespoke handmade kitchens contact us today – we look forward to hearing from you and designing one of our kitchens for your entertaining needs.
