Six Kitchen Design Elements to Make Hosting a Breeze

Whether you are hosting a dinner party or more intimate gathering with family, the kitchen inevitably becomes a major gathering spot. We spoke with our designers about what design elements are most sought after when hosting.

• 1. AN OPEN FLOOR PLAN 

It’s much more welcoming to host in a space that’s spacious and open. A natural flow from the kitchen, dining room and living room makes entertaining your guest a breeze while preparing and serving meals, snacks and drinks.

• 2. AMPLE COUNTER SPACE

Surface area is key in a kitchen and a kitchen island can be key in providing valuable counter space. Seating around an island means guests can feel at home in the kitchen while hosts are cooking.

• 3. PLENTY OF STORAGE SPACE

Kitchens that offer extra storage like a built-in pantry, can leave your kitchen less cluttered and more organized. Other design features for maximizing storage include cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling for extra vertical space and cabinetry that can hide away small appliances like toasters and coffee. 

• 4. GRANITE OR STONE COUNTERTOPS

The countertop is the focal point of the kitchen — it’s what people notice first when they walk in. A granite and other natural stone countertops offer longevity and durability as well as adding character to the space. Natural stones offer more earth tones and every slab is unique. Quartz countertops are an engineered product that has increased in popularity in recent years. Quartz countertops offer a wider range of colors and are less maintenance than its natural stone counterparts.

• 5. COLOR ACCENTS

Adding visual interest with splashes of color makes a kitchen feel personal. We’re seeing this with open shelving used for displaying beautiful dishes, colorful accent walls, colored kitchen island cabinets, and statement light fixtures.

• 6.CHEF GRADE APPLIANCES

If you are often entertaining at home having chef-quality, brand-name appliances can help you create incredible dishes. Consider top quality brands like Miele, Gaggenau, Wolf and Sub-Zero.

There are good reasons why the kitchen is called the heart of the home. This is not only the space where you prepare food and enjoy time with your family but also is the design centerpiece. So, if your kitchen is bland, outdated, and failing to meet your everyday functional needs, you might be surprised at what a custom kitchen remodel can do to improve your home life.