Kitchens are no longer simply places we prepare food and do the washing up. For many people, they’ve become the heart of the home. The kitchen is now where we catch up with friends, spend valuable family time together and entertain guests.
Naturally, this has led to a change in the way we design our kitchens. The trend for open plan design has made ‘sociable’ kitchens possible and much easier to create, and the kitchen island has been a game changer. This simple design feature can make a world of difference when it comes to entertaining friends or simply enjoying family life.
Along with tips on how to make optimal use of that all-important kitchen island, here are some other important considerations to remember when creating your dream ‘sociable’ kitchen...
Naturally, this has led to a change in the way we design our kitchens. The trend for open plan design has made ‘sociable’ kitchens possible and much easier to create, and the kitchen island has been a game changer. This simple design feature can make a world of difference when it comes to entertaining friends or simply enjoying family life.
Along with tips on how to make optimal use of that all-important kitchen island, here are some other important considerations to remember when creating your dream ‘sociable’ kitchen...
1. Use your island to keep other people at a safe distance
This might sound like the opposite of what you’re trying to do, but read on. By using an island strategically, you can create a natural and barely noticeable divide between the ‘working’ and ‘socialising’ areas of the kitchen. You won’t have to keep moving party guests out the way of a cupboard you want to access, but you’ll never be cut off from the action. You can cook, prepare drinks and do whatever else you need to while guests or family members keep you company at the island.
2. Consider seating carefully
A breakfast bar, or another form of island seating, is a great way to make your kitchen more inviting for guests. It means that someone can easily sit themselves down for a chat and a cup of tea, rather than sitting more formally round a dining table.
Make your seating as comfortable and inviting as possible, with lots of soft furnishings and warm colours.
3. Give yourself plenty of island space
If you are having an island and have lots of room available, consider making it a big one. The right-sized island can become the most used item in your home, for everything from the kids’ homework to informal meals with friends.
4. De-clutter
Functional kitchen clutter can be the enemy of a good kitchen party, so take steps to clear it away. In the design, give yourself plenty of shelving and storage. You can perhaps even consider a back pantry or clever cover for the sink area, so you can hide the dirty washing up away. Another smart move is to install charging points inside a drawer, so you can tuck charging phones, tablets and all their wires and cables safely away.
5. Don’t forget the mood lighting
Lighting is absolutely crucial to making your kitchen a sociable space. You need to give yourself lots of different options to suit different occasions, creating the right atmosphere as well as helping to zone a large open-plan space effectively. You’ll need task, feature and general lighting, and simmers are a must for those social occasions.
To make sure every detail of your new kitchen is picture-perfect and party ready, choose a professional kitchen fitter with decades of experience – contact A&J Kitchens today to discuss your design.
This might sound like the opposite of what you’re trying to do, but read on. By using an island strategically, you can create a natural and barely noticeable divide between the ‘working’ and ‘socialising’ areas of the kitchen. You won’t have to keep moving party guests out the way of a cupboard you want to access, but you’ll never be cut off from the action. You can cook, prepare drinks and do whatever else you need to while guests or family members keep you company at the island.
2. Consider seating carefully
A breakfast bar, or another form of island seating, is a great way to make your kitchen more inviting for guests. It means that someone can easily sit themselves down for a chat and a cup of tea, rather than sitting more formally round a dining table.
Make your seating as comfortable and inviting as possible, with lots of soft furnishings and warm colours.
3. Give yourself plenty of island space
If you are having an island and have lots of room available, consider making it a big one. The right-sized island can become the most used item in your home, for everything from the kids’ homework to informal meals with friends.
4. De-clutter
Functional kitchen clutter can be the enemy of a good kitchen party, so take steps to clear it away. In the design, give yourself plenty of shelving and storage. You can perhaps even consider a back pantry or clever cover for the sink area, so you can hide the dirty washing up away. Another smart move is to install charging points inside a drawer, so you can tuck charging phones, tablets and all their wires and cables safely away.
5. Don’t forget the mood lighting
Lighting is absolutely crucial to making your kitchen a sociable space. You need to give yourself lots of different options to suit different occasions, creating the right atmosphere as well as helping to zone a large open-plan space effectively. You’ll need task, feature and general lighting, and simmers are a must for those social occasions.
To make sure every detail of your new kitchen is picture-perfect and party ready, choose a professional kitchen fitter with decades of experience – contact A&J Kitchens today to discuss your design.
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