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Impress your guests: 6 great kitchen tips for when you’re hosting

How to create stunning spaces for hosting, from new trends in home bars to the latest gadgets

Main image: Herringbone Kitchens

Go with the flow

A kitchen island is usually the go-to for sociable kitchens. But ensure you will have enough space to create a continuous flow around the island so guests can stand or sit there without blocking access to other rooms or to areas you’ll need to prep food and drinks.

If you’re blessed with plenty of space, a more casual eating area at the island as well as a more formal table for dinner parties is perfect. Consider a bench rather than chairs as you can often squeeze on a few more when entertaining and they tuck neatly underneath when not in use.

For those with smaller areas, a breakfast bar with stools can also give you a coveted sociable kitchen.

Secret storage

Even the largest of kitchens need to be clever and creative with their storage so you can hide away all the clutter. Back rooms, second kitchens or utility rooms where you can tuck away an extra dishwasher, sink or fridge freezer are ideal. Also useful are larders and pantries, where you can store all your essentials, keeping surfaces clean and clear. Whilst kitchen cabinets are the most usual kind of storage, deep drawers can also provide space for utensils and pans, so it’s important to make sure you have a good balance of both. If you prefer a more chefy look or rustic feel, a hanging rail for pans is useful.

Easy hosting

When you have people over, there’s no need to wait on them hand and foot. Any helpful guest will be happy to take on the role of making a round of drinks while you’re cooking. With that in mind, it’s a great idea to create a drinks station or shelf… or even a bar within a cabinet so you have a specific corner of the room where drinks can be made without anyone having to dash around the kitchen looking for certain ingredients. Dedicated home bars can create a focal point, as can wine racks, fridges or shelves built into the end of a row of units. Isolated stations also work in terms of coffee making. Your guests will appreciate a delicious latte in the morning, but in order not to get the milk froth everywhere, make space for the purpose

Kitchen shades

White kitchens are timeless and create a sense of space and light as well as making the room feel big and airy. But if you’re upgrading cupboards or painting the walls, look at rich dark shades to create a cosy atmosphere for entertaining. Layering fabrics can also make a kitchen dining area feel cosier and a rug can soften a tiled floor around a dining table. Consider how your lighting functions for a party – while task lighting is essential in your kitchen, some freestanding lamps can create atmosphere. If you’re having your electrics overhauled, put lights on dimmers.

Essential gadgets

Consider how to make life easier when cooking for a big group. The Thermomix TM6, which pitches itself as “22 appliances in one”, could replace blenders, food processors and slow cookers, saving significant space. It also links to the Cookidoo app providing access to a vast collection of over 80,000 guided recipes. If you don’t have a fridge with an integrated ice maker, an ice machine is a great bit of kit for a party. A smart fridge maybe a worthwhile investment, connecting to recipe apps and handily displaying them on a screen on the fridge door.

Pictured: KitchenAid

Ultimate kitchen sounds

Whether you like your music to be in the background or you love a full kitchen disco, look at how to integrate music into your home. Kitchen speakers can come in all shapes and sizes, from Bluetooth speakers to fully integrated ceiling speakers. The market is now full of various options. If you’re a fan of wireless control, Tibo’s range of standalone smart audio speakers work with your network via an app to play music from your streaming service. You could also consider the Systemline E50 and E100 systems, which include a sleek wall panel as well as a pair of kitchen ceiling speakers.