The kitchen isn’t just for cooking. Your kitchen is the heart of the home. Typically during meal preparation, families come together and the holidays are the perfect representation of that. More time and energy is put into preparing holiday meals, and all present are often part of the preparation fun. Thanksgiving in particular emphasizes the feast without added distractions of gift giving, which makes it a favorite for many. With the holidays just around the corner, a kitchen remodel can exude warmth and open space for holiday family entertaining. 

A Kitchen Remodel Inspired by Holiday Family Entertaining

If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, the holidays can be a great time to think about the features you’d like to include. With parties and family gatherings happening more frequently this month, people may be filling your kitchen. As they do, I encourage you to pay attention to what’s working in your space and what is not. Perhaps jot down some notes that can help you start a remodeling wish list. Consider these ideas that could make your kitchen more comfortable for entertaining.

In my experience, I know you can change a kitchen in a number of ways, both big and small, to make it more inviting for guests. Here are some strategies you might consider for a future remodel — plus a couple of smaller projects to consider for the near-term if you want a quicker, less expensive upgrade.

Projects to Consider to Remodel a Kitchen for Holiday Family Entertaining

An Open Kitchen Floor Plan

Does everyone crowd in your kitchen when you entertain friends or family? Unfortunately, many older kitchens weren’t built to handle large groups. They may be too small or tucked away at the back of the house, far from the action. An open kitchen provides a great space for entertaining large parties. This allows you to spend time with your guests even while the meal is being prepared, making guests feel welcome and part of the meal preparation.

A Kitchen Island

When you have a kitchen island, your friends can sit on a stool and feel like they’re part of the action. It’s the ideal place to put them to work chopping vegetables or filling snack bowls. The convenience of a large surface area for cooking, meal prepping, and serving easily cuts the meal prep time and frustrations. Decorate it with flowers, fruit, and snacks to create a wonderful entertainment center for your friends and family.

Don’t Forget the Children

Children love to interact in the kitchen so when remodeling be sure to keep them in mind. Of course safety is the first thing to think about when it comes to children. So discuss the best design solution for the safest kid-friendly kitchen with your kitchen designer such as smooth counter edges, child proof cabinets, and keeping appliances out of reach. A party in the kitchen for children is great. The floor of your kitchen is much more conducive to a children’s party than a carpeted part of the home. Host a fun interactive party, plan a craft activity at the island, such as cupcake decorating. It’s so much fun and children love to eat the cupcake they made.

Perfect Space for a Cocktail Party

Size is certainly not a prerequisite for a great entertaining kitchen. When designing a kitchen that functions as an effective entertaining space, it’s all about the specialty features that are integrated into the space to make serving food and beverages easy. An everyday kitchen can transform into a fully function cocktail bar. There are lots of choices for choosing a style for your bar. Adding a bar makes it easier to serve appetizers and cocktails, plus it is a fun spot to mingle.

Design your Kitchen around a Fireplace or Add One

Is there anything cozier than a crackling fire at a family holiday get together? If you are expanding your kitchen into another room or even building a new home, consider including a fireplace in the kitchen. We always light fires in our living room during winter parties, but it’s not enough to draw the crowds; everyone still hangs out in the kitchen. If a new fireplace is not an option for your renovation plan, try to open sight lines to a hearth in another room that has one.

Build in Convenient Garbage and Recycling Areas 

I’ll bet the garbage bin is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of your dream kitchen. But then, that’s the whole point of a waste pullout. It tucks the garbage, recycling and other waste bins out of sight but within easy access. That way you don’t have to look at a messy freestanding bin or struggle with a tiny, seemingly always full can tucked under the sink. It’s so annoying when you’re trying to do dishes at a party where the garbage is under the sink, and you constantly have to move every time a guest needs to throw out a napkin. Although you do want to keep garbage near the sink, try to place it where guests can easily access it without blocking the sink, stove or dishwasher. 

Utilize Customized Storage to have Everything at your Fingertips

Special storage accessories apply to more than just baking supplies. Kitchen designs can include inserts for everything from spices and cutlery to pots and pans. Deep drawers, dividers, and a wide range of pull outs, swing outs, and roll outs keep everything in order and easily accessible.

Projects to Consider Without a Full Kitchen Remodel

Create Out-of-the-way Seating

Lounge seating is great for keeping guests comfortable and out of the way when you’re cooking. While many kitchens have bar stools, lounge seats are more comfortable, and lower seats are easier for elderly guests to use. Built-in seating can also include storage for pots or platters.  Adding a sofa or lounge seat to a window, could be an easy way to enhance your kitchen for guests without investing in a full remodel or could be a good project to consider as part of a larger kitchen remodel down the road.

Set up a Beverage Center

Whether you are serving coffee, eggnog, or festive cocktails, it helps to have a purpose-built beverage center to hold all your drink supplies. If space allows, include an under-counter refrigerator and coffee maker. Keep your glassware, cups, and other drink supplies in this one location. Position your beverage center away from the main cooking area, making it easier for guests to refill drinks without disturbing the chef. If you don’t have room for a separate beverage bar, simply designate an area of countertop for this purpose. A beverage bar is a great built-in to consider when renovating, but this useful station can also be set up in an existing kitchen using a piece of furniture like a hutch or even a console table.

Install Dimmers, Speakers, and a TV

A bright and quiet kitchen may be ideal for the everyday, but parties are quite the opposite. Lights are dimmed, and music gets turned up. Dimmers are easy to install, and they give great ambiance for a party. Add a flat screen, located behind retractable pocket doors, and speakers, so guests and cooks can keep their eye on the game while hanging out in the kitchen, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a great get-together.

Make Your Kitchen More than Just a Kitchen