With the holiday season fast approaching, you’re probably thinking about the functionality of your kitchen when it comes to entertaining guests. When you’re hosting friends and family around the holidays, you want them to feel comfortable, but you also want to be able to engage with them while you’re preparing food or performing other tasks. Being a great host is rewarding, but it’s also a lot of work, so here are some design ideas from Airy Kitchens that can help you entertain more efficiently by creating a comfortable space right in your own kitchen!
Cozy Kitchen Seating
Party guests will naturally gravitate towards areas where they can sit down and relax while they socialize. If your kitchen doesn’t have comfortable seating, you’ll likely spend your whole party cooking alone while everyone else gathers… elsewhere. Consider adding some kitchen-appropriate seating like a window seat, café chairs, or even a sofa. Any space near a window makes a great place for a lounge area with built-in, bench style seats and a small table. Because a lounge can be built-in to any open corner, these work well for smaller kitchens and can even be equipped with drawers for an extra spot to store seldom-used kitchen utensils.
Glass Front Cabinet Doors
In order to keep your guests entertained, they’ll need easy access to glassware, barware, and other items you keep in your cabinets. If you’re busy cooking an elaborate meal, you don’t want to pause every five minutes to explain where the glasses are located. Glass front cabinets make it easy for party guests to locate the items they need without having to consult you (or spend time opening every cabinet door until they get the lay of the land). Not only are they convenient, but glass front cabinet doors are also one of the latest style trends that allow you to reduce clutter while still showcasing some of the more attractive pieces in your collection of kitchenware. As an added bonus, plates and cups will be protected from food splatter while you’re cooking.
Add a Back Bar or Coffee Station
Guests will feel much more comfortable if they can make drinks, get appetizers, or even fix a nice coffee without having to be in your way. A back bar with a small countertop is a great way to accomplish this, whether it’s an add-on to your existing kitchen or part of a larger kitchen remodel. These can be custom built to incorporate the style you want, or they can be made from an antique china hutch or other interesting piece. The possibilities are endless here, so if you want to add style, functionality, and storage, a back bar or coffee station just makes sense.
These are just a few of the ways you can make your kitchen more comfortable for guests at the holidays and all year round. Not only are these additions attractive, they also add everyday functionality that you’ll love whether you’re having people over or dining alone. Airy Kitchens would love to hear your ideas, so contact us by sending an email to mailto:sean@airykitchens.com, by filling out our online contact form, or by calling (215) 853-6060 to schedule your free meet and greet session where our designer, Sean Lewis will help you decide the best way to make your kitchen remodeling ideas a reality!