If you like to entertain, summertime is probably party time at your house.
The 4th of July is a huge event for most people and get-togethers, large and small, are common.
Friends and loved ones gather and you enjoy food and fellowship — unless your space is less-than-ideal for a large amount of people.
Maybe you long to be the hostess (or host!) with the mostest but your home just isn’t where it needs to be in order to accommodate many guests.
The kitchen is an area in which people tend to gather so that may be where you want to concentrate your initial remodeling efforts.
Here are some ways to make sure your kitchen is party-ready in time for summer fun.
Open up your floor plan
An open floor plan is nearly a must if you plan to entertain frequently.
If possible, make it easy for guests to flow from the kitchen, living room, and your deck or patio.
If there isn’t enough room for everyone to be in the kitchen at once, you can shuffle people to these other places without anyone feeling as if they’re cut off from everyone else.
Put enough thought into design
You want to create an atmosphere that feels welcoming and festive to guests but also suits the needs of your family.
Choose materials for countertops, cabinets, and floors that are beautiful while still being sturdy enough to withstand all the wear and tear that a kitchen gets on a daily basis.
Decor can be changed out easily when you have a solid design backbone.
Consider a mini-bar
It’s not for everyone, but installing a mini-bar may be a great addition for parties.
If imbibing with your guests is near the top of your party to-do list, think about putting the mini-bar in an area that’s not in the center of where food prep is going on.
You’ll want your guests to be able to grab some wine without feeling like they’re in the way!
Replace your island
If you don’t have an island at all or yours is the standard straight style, why not change it out for a semi-circular one?
One of the great advantages of an island this shape is that guests can be gathered around visiting with you while you’re cooking.
When you’re not entertaining, it’s a nice way for the family to be able to gather and converse for a quick meal without having to use your formal dining room.
Evaluate your seating needs
Summer entertaining allows for the majority of your guests to be outside, so make sure you have ample seating on your deck or patio and around your yard.
Storms and rain can be unpredictable and seem to pop up at the most inopportune times.
Plus, you’ll probably do some entertaining in the cooler months, as well.
Make sure you maximize space for seating in the kitchen.
For example, that semicircular island we talked about? It can seat more of your guests than a traditional island can.
Cushy, comfy stools make great spots for visitors to hang out indoors.
Think about adding a window nook that can be used as additional seating once you’ve added a cushion and some fluffy pillows.
Bench seating is also a good idea for your dining table if you have an eat-in kitchen.
Stifle the noise
When you consider all the hard surfaces in your kitchen, it’s not hard to see how it can noisy quickly.
Soften the noise by adding elements like thick rugs, soft seating, and throw pillows.
Change your entertaining game
Creating a space with entertaining in mind will provide you with years of good memories and the kind of satisfaction money can’t buy.
Adding elements like a semicircular island and soft seating invite visitors to take a load off and enjoy good conversation.
Open up your floor plan and create a design that is welcoming for your guests and functional for your family and the day-to-day life that’s lived in your kitchen.
Spice up your kitchen with lighting.