If
you love having friends and family over, you know that the kitchen is
at the heart of entertaining. You cannot entertain guests without
refreshments, and what could be a better excuse for gathering friends
than hosting a dinner?
But
if you are going to be entertaining, then you should have a kitchen
space to accommodate your needs. Here are a few things that every good
host should have in their kitchen.
Spacious Open Design
Having
plenty of space for guests to mingle while the host is in the kitchen
is essential, and an open design plan where the kitchen opens out to the
living room is conducive to conversation and socialising. Guests can
enter the kitchen for drinks, or to chat with the host without leaving
the party. The host is also able to be anywhere performing their duties
while still being able to engage with guests.
Functionality
When
you set up your kitchen, think about work space and where things are in
relation to one another. Having the stove, sink, refrigerator and
counter space within arm's length of one another can streamline the work
and make meal preparation much easier. Also, make sure that there is
sufficient work space for the operations that take place in each area.
Island
Islands have become a must have in modern kitchens.
And with all that an island provides, it's no wonder. An island
provides additional bench space as well as seating and storage. Some
islands also contain an extra sink or cooktop which can give a host more
room to prepare food and serve guests.
Separate Drink Station
Having
a separate station for drinks away from the rest of the food
preparation area can allow one host to serve drinks without getting in
the cook's way. This allows for a variety of activities to occur at one
time. One host can mingle with guests while another is putting the
finishing touches on dinner.
Solid Dishwasher
Why do dishes by hand if you don't have to? If you are entertaining, there is bound to be loads more dishes than usual. A large and sturdy dishwasher is a must for anyone who entertains, as it will save you lots of time washing up after guests leave.
Plenty of Storage
No
kitchen would survive without plenty of storage. This is even more true
for people who entertain. The more people you feed, the more cookware
and dishes you will need. You may even have seasonal items which will
also need a home when not in use. An island is one place to keep canned
goods and cookware, and having plenty of cabinets is also a boon. And if
at all possible, a butler's pantry can be quite the luxury. Not only
does it have additional preparation space, but it offers extra storage
space as well.
Technological Advances
Did
you know that you can find just about any type of appliance that has a
wi-fi connected model? You can now get an oven that you can adjust from
your smartphone! How about a coffee maker or slow cooker that you can
operate from another room? You can save plenty of time and labour with
smartphone connected appliances.
Soft Close
With all of the opening and closing that goes on in your kitchen when you are cooking for guests, having drawers and cabinet doors that close softly can be a tremendous benefit. Imagine what guests would think if they constantly hear drawers pounding shut and cabinet doors slamming!? It could be very distracting. If you have soft close devices installed into your cabinets, you and your guests will feel much more comfortable. Not to mention how much easier it is to open them and bump them closed when your hands are full.
If
you love to entertain then you should have a kitchen that is up to the
task, and careful planning can help you design the kitchen that is right
for you. Let these suggestions help you get started, and for more
information, head to the Cook & Bathe website or visit our Melbourne kitchen showrooms.
