If your kitchen has underwhelmed over Christmas, and you’re looking for something with a bit of ‘wow’ factor for friends and family to gather then now’s the time to come in to talk to our designers. Experts in their field, they’ve got heaps of advice and inspiration to help you create a great looking scheme that makes the most of, rather than is hampered by, the space you have and how you want it to function.
So here are our top tips for a kitchen that’s perfect for a party at any time of year:
1. Add a peninsula or island for people where guests can gather
A worksurface accessed from outside the core kitchen space that usually serves as a breakfast bar or homework station can speedily and easily be turned into a festive buffet station. Adding a worktop overhang on a peninsula or island will allow for a few barstools underneath if people want to sit down but works just as well as a place to lean against, festive party food and glass of fizz in hand.
2. Create a drinks station
Tambour-fronted or double-doored breakfast stations are all the rage at the moment but can easily be turned into a bar for parties. Glasses, cocktail-making paraphernalia and snacks can replace cereals, breakfast china and the toaster, and if you’ve remembered to add plug points inside, you’ll be able to crush ice and create smoothies at the flick of a blender switch. Incorporating a wine rack or even a small built-in fridge or wine chiller will mean everyone’s favourite tipple is on-hand, too.
3. Have plenty of places to sit
Alongside islands, our bench seating is very popular amongst our clients and adds another seating dimension to a new kitchen design. If your room can accommodate a dining table then an extendable one is a good investment. If you’re in the early stages of planning your kitchen design then now is a good time to think about where you might store extra chairs – fold-away ones are the easiest to conceal so why not consider making room for them in a purpose built utility cupboard? Stacked neatly away alongside your vacuum, mop and bucket and ironing board, they’ll be right at hand when you need them but out of sight when you don’t.
4. Light it up
Nothing creates a party mood more than good lighting, so consider all eventualities when you’re at the beginning of the kitchen design process. While you might not want coloured lights all year, having colour-change LED strips and spots inside cupboards, under island worksurfaces, below plinths and even behind glass splashbacks means you’ll have the option to add that little extra something once the party season arrives. Zoning your lighting and using dimmable switches will help to define areas and create different moods in different parts of the room.
Ready to start designing? Call 0800 389 6938 to speak directly with a designer in your local Harvey Jones showroom. Our 80-page brochure is full of kitchens we’ve designed and installed for clients. Request your free copy here.
