7 Kitchen Design Ideas to Create the Ultimate Entertainer's Kitchen

With the holiday season approaching we are all looking forward to having the family over for a festive feast or two, and the kitchen is sure to be put to the test not only as a place to prepare wonderful meals but also as the entertainment hub of the home.

We’ve put together a list of the top 7 kitchen design ideas to help you create the ultimate entertainer’s kitchen which will be the envy of your friends at the next get-together!

1.Remember your kitchen work triangle

The kitchen work triangle is perhaps the most important and fundamental rule for creating a practical kitchen which is often overlooked. It aims to keep your sink, fridge and cooktop within easy reach, yet still keep enough room between these important appliances to make sure two or more people can work comfortably in the kitchen without getting in each other’s way. It’s always best to start your triangle by positioning the fridge in a spot that can be accessed without coming into the kitchen itself, so guests can grab another drink without getting in the way.

2. Get yourself a butler!

For kitchens that are on show in the heart of the home, a mess of pots and pans in the sink or food scraps on the bench can be a real eye sore. A butler’s pantry is a great way to keep mess and bench top appliances out of sight without having to be cleaning constantly as you prepare a dish. Do all your prep work in the butler’s pantry then close the door and worry about the mess later when your guests have left.

3. Indoors or outdoors? Why not both? 

Blur the line between the indoors and outdoors by bringing the kitchen and undercover BBQ area together as one space. Positioning your kitchen next to an Alfresco area and continuing design elements like the bench top and cupboards to the outdoors can help create a more cohesive space that is practical to work in and great for entertaining. 

4. Two sinks are better than one 

Having two sinks in your kitchen – even if they are in close proximity – is great for entertaining, especially if you’re short on space for a butler’s pantry. Even just a small bar-sized sink will come in handy for washing hands and rinsing glasses when your other sink is full of dirty dishes by the end of the night.

5. Two islands are better than one, too! 

Two sinks are nice, but if you have the space and want to make a grand statement, try incorporating two island benches into your kitchen design – one for preparing food and other to serve and entertain guests. Store serving dishes, plates, glasses and other items which may needed during a party in the second island so they can be easily reached by guests without getting in your way.

6. Kitchen dining bar 

Breakfast bars and stools have become a staple feature of any modern kitchen, but the idea of integrating your dining table into the kitchen itself is becoming more and more popular. For amateur home chefs they can be a great way to show off your cooking skills to guests, or just so the chef doesn’t miss out on all the fun while food is being prepared. If you’re short on space, merging your kitchen island and dining table can also be a great way to fit more people in when you entertain too. 

7. Give your cooktop an island vacation 

With a wider range of more subtle and unobtrusive exhaust and extractor fans now available, you can copy your favourite TV chef and move your cooktop onto your island bench. It not only gives guests a better view of your latest culinary creation but also means you don’t have to keep your back to guests as you’re cooking. Either make the range hood a feature or plan ahead and incorporate a flush mount one into the ceiling.