Kitchens are the magnets of our homes. Most of our fondest memories revolve around holidays, parties and gatherings with our friends and family and being in the kitchen just goes hand-in-hand.
So, if you want to be the host/hostess that creates the most memorable get-togethers, using your kitchen can be your best advantage. With just a few tweaks, you can turn your kitchen into a room that brings people together, invites conversation and creates lasting memories.
Here are 5 easy ways you can make your kitchen a more sociable place:
Functional Seating
Not only is seating important to the everyday functionality of the kitchen for your family, but it is one of the ways you can make it more inviting for parties and social gatherings.
There a few important factors to consider when thinking about the layout of your social kitchen. Make sure there are plenty of comfortable places to sit, that it is not too overcrowded and that it invites easy conversation.
Having seats that can tuck under counters is a great way to include more seats to the kitchen without feeling cluttered. Padded benches and stools are also great ways to have comfortable seating available for guests without taking up too much space.
Since benches require people to sit together, you’ll notice that it makes the kitchen feel cozier, more relaxed and people will have more conversations.
Brighter Lighting
No one enjoys a gloomy atmosphere and lighting has a lot to do with that. Having a large window in the kitchen is a great way to allow natural light come in and brighten the overall mood of the room.
For night time gatherings, you can use different types of lightening to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Under the cabinet lights, recessed ceiling lights and lighting over workspaces will allow you to control the ambiance better.
When your guests are in the kitchen while you’re working using brighter light is important so people can see and possibly participate in the meal prep. Afterwards, using soft and low lights will evoke the more comfortable and warm feeling to the room that will allow everyone to relax.
Installing dimmer switches will make controlling your lighting much easier.
Open Floor Plan
An open kitchen floor plan, like the ones Alair Homes Lawrence Park offers, will accomplish two things. First, it will tie in the living room to the kitchen and allow for a more social environment. Second, it makes the room feel bigger, airier and more comfortable to be in.
The typical open floor plan kitchen concept usually combines the living room, dining room and kitchen together. Even if your particular plan does not combine all three together, you still have the makings for a comfortable social kitchen.
Utilize the open concept by using the seating from the adjoining room as part of the kitchen experience. You can turn chairs and couches so that their backs are not facing the kitchen.
That way, even if your guests are watching television, playing games on the dining room table or immersed in small group conversations, everyone can still see everyone else. Ultimately, this makes for a more social environment.
Keep it Casual
Don’t turn your kitchen into a museum. If you have too many small appliances on the counter, knick-knacks, vases or too much glass around your guests will always be hyper-aware of what they are doing so they don’t break anything.
No one wants to be forever remembered as the person who broke the vase in the middle of a party. Instead, decorate strategically and keep clutter to a minimum.
Hangout Area
Having designated spots for work and socialization is important in making your kitchen more social. Placing your cutting board off to the side and designating the island space or breakfast bar as the hangout area will allow guests to know that they are not getting in the way.
When the guests know where they are supposed to be and not be, they will ultimately be more relaxed and more apt to socialize.
Making minor alterations and adjustments to what you already have can easily transform your kitchen into a more social place. So, instead of slaving away in the kitchen while your guests enjoy the party outside, use these 5 tricks and invite them in to the kitchen.