What’s the next best thing to having a fabulous kitchen?
We think it’s having a fabulous kitchen that you can share with family and friends!
So, here are our five top tips for creating a kitchen that’s perfect for entertaining (as well as looking great).
1. Open plan layout
You don’t want to be shut away from your friends when preparing that delicious meal, so an open plan kitchen with space for guests to mingle and chat is the perfect solution. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a separate dining room, but it does mean that you can be the perfect host even when you’re cooking.
An island or peninsula in the centre of the kitchen is ideal as it gives you plenty of space for preparing the meal. Meanwhile your guests can sit and enjoy a glass of wine without getting in your way.
A useful addition for open plan kitchens is a BORA cooktop extractor – which allows you to place your hob in the centre of the room without a distracting overhead extractor. And the low noise levels make it easy to chat while you’re cooking.
The sink, on the other hand, is best tucked away at the back of the kitchen. This area often becomes cluttered as you cook and you don’t want your dirty dishes on display to all your guests!
2. Flow into the dining area
When entertaining it’s important that there’s a feeling of continuity between all the spaces the guests will be using.
There should be a similarity in design between the rooms or zones you’ll be cooking, dining and relaxing in. And each area should be easily accessible from the other; by being open plan or having wide doorways which are left open.
The design doesn’t need to be identical in each zone, but there should be some similarities to give a feeling of flow. This could mean that you use the same cabinets, flooring and/or lighting in all the areas.
3. Plenty of storage
The one thing you don’t want to greet your guests with is a load of clutter. Clearing your worktops of appliances and family debris can create a more welcoming mood for guests, rather than feeling like a working space.
You might even consider keeping a drawer or shelf empty to allow you to temporarily shove away bits and pieces that you don’t have time to sort out properly. Just remember to deal with them the next morning or they might stay there forever!
4. Fancy a drink?
Storage for drinks and glasses is particularly important when you’re entertaining.
When you’re busy cooking the last thing you need is someone pushing past you to get to a fresh glass or bottle of wine. So, consider installing a wine fridge or conditioner on the guests’ side of the kitchen. Ideally position a cabinet next to it to store your glasses. That way drinks can be served without anyone getting in your way.
5. Adaptable lighting
While you still need to have task lighting for the areas you’re working in, your kitchen lighting should be flexible so that you can create the right ambience for entertaining.
This might include pendant lights on dimmer switches (these can also be weighted so you can raise or lower them to create different moods), coloured strip lighting beneath cabinets or even candlelight. The one thing to avoid is bright, white lights – that would definitely kill the mood!
Creating your perfect kitchen
We love crafting beautiful, handmade kitchens to perfectly suit your lifestyle and taste.
Whether you’re looking for a fabulous kitchen to entertain friends, a high spec chef’s kitchen or a comfortable family space then visit our extensive Sevenoaks showroom for more ideas and inspiration.
We also have a range of state-of-the-art appliances for you to try out. This includes the BORA hob – so you can see for yourself how effectively and quietly its extraction system works.
Oh, and we serve some pretty good coffee too!
Author: Helen Loder
Co-Director of Sevenoaks Mums