Create a Versatile Kitchen for Entertaining
3 pros!
Would you like a versatile kitchen that works well every day, as well as for holidays and entertaining? Consider these upgrades, so your guests will feel at home and you’ll feel relaxed.
Entertaining should be fun, not stressful. Whether it’s a holiday feast or an impromptu gathering with friends, coming together in your kitchen is about so much more than food.
But let’s face it: You do want to feed your guests. When it’s your immediate family, preparing meals in an inefficient kitchen is something you just get used to. Add in friends, neighbors, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and your inefficient kitchen can be very frustrating.
If your home is the “go-to” house where everyone tends to gather for holiday dinners and special occasions, maybe it’s time to think about creating that social kitchen you’ve always dreamed of: one that can function as the family hub and still be suitable for use as an entertainment space.
Related: Top kitchen and bath remodeling trends for 2015.
Still recovering from your last big bash? Sit down while it’s clear in your mind and make a note of what’s working and what’s not when it comes to entertaining in your kitchen.
You probably know you want more space, but now it’s time to get specific. Consider whether these kitchen remodeling improvements would work for you:
1. Make some room
Assuming you don’t have a staff, you probably serve as both host and cook. Cooking and entertaining simultaneously is possible, if you have room to work. A beverage station or butler’s pantry — housing your glassware, coffee maker and a small sink outside the kitchen work triangle — is a great way to give everyone access to what they need without being underfoot. Toss in an under-counter fridge for wine and beer and you’re all set.
2. Do twice as many dishes
So many dishes are used when entertaining that cleaning as you go is a must. How about adding a second dishwasher elsewhere in the kitchen? A second dishwasher can be strategically placed to accomplish your dish flow objectives. If it will be used for glassware, locate it near where you store your glasses and stemware, perhaps in the butler’s pantry. If dish control is your objective, install the second dishwasher in a prime prep area, such as your kitchen island.
3. Seeing (and baking) double
Double ovens aren’t just a luxury, they actually improve efficiency. Heating a large oven when you’re only using one rack wastes a lot of energy. Double ovens offer dual functionality and flexibility and are available as built-in wall ovens or slide-in ranges, configured with two equal-sized ovens or with one larger and one smaller oven.
Being able to cook dishes simultaneously at different temperatures is a huge plus during the holidays. The smaller oven size also speeds up preheating time, which is helpful when you’re trying to squeeze in a family dinner between school and kids’ weeknight activities.
If you still prefer a large oven, consider adding a convection microwave. Combining features of a microwave and a convection oven, this appliance can be preheated in convection mode, and can produce crisp cookies and browned casseroles.
4. Go kitchen island hopping
Incorporating a second kitchen island is becoming very popular. With counter-height chairs, it can serve as your kitchen table on an everyday basis. For parties, remove the chairs and it becomes a serving area or interactive buffet that is separate from your food prep space, so the cook can work unhindered. A second island also provides more storage, which a typical table does not.
If you don’t have room for a second island, a custom-built, wall-hugging buffet is a good option. Outlets placed horizontally at counter level for warming trays, slow cookers and your coffee maker provide super functionality. When not entertaining, these items can be stored underneath and replaced with favorite decor pieces (or all the stuff the kiddos bring home from school).
5. Those finishing touches
Don’t forget aesthetics.
A large, level island provides optimum working space, but a bi-level island can help hide the mess.Opting for more recessed lighting instead of a chandelier allows for moving or extending a kitchen table without being so obvious.A wall-mounted TV in the kitchen is a must if you host a lot of parties centered on sporting events.If you love music at your parties, speakers can be hidden in your walls or ceiling during your remodel.
Related: 3 tips to organize your kitchen after a remodel.
Creating an open kitchen for entertaining and everyday use can be a most satisfying home remodel. A well thought-out kitchen remodel will not only increase the value of your home, it also will increase the quality of your time spent there. In the end, if your kitchen is comfortable and entices different generations to share family stories and long-loved recipes, you’ve done it right. Bon appétit!
About this Experts Contributor: Jeannine Miller represents Moss Building & Design, a family-owned company in Northern Virginia that provides remodeling and renovation services in the Chantilly, Va., area.
As of January 6, 2015, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List.
