How to Design the Perfect Party Kitchen

How to Design the Perfect Party Kitchen

By mid-September, the store shelves are already lined with Halloween candy, pumpkin-spice everything, and Christmas decorations. The holidays are upon us and that means parties – Halloween parties, Thanksgiving celebrations, holiday parties, and New Year’s Eve, followed by the Super Bowl just one month later. We all know that at a party, everyone congregates in the kitchen. Hands down, the kitchen is the most important place in the house. To quote Chef Andrew Zimmern: “Everything happens in the kitchen. Life happens in the kitchen.” And that includes parties.

Why is it then, that so many kitchens lack a party-friendly design? At Swartz Kitchens & Baths, we believe in embracing the fact that guests always end up in the kitchen. A holiday-ready kitchen doesn’t just benefit homeowners during parties, a well-designed space makes life easier every day. Here’s 7 design ideas that make for a first-rate party kitchen:

1. Clever cabinetry. Cabinets with vertical dividers are great space-savers; they also make it easy to find your cheeseboard, charcuterie tray, and cutting board when it’s to prep and serve hors d’oeuvres. Your fruit and veggie tray will be ready to go in a snap. Sturdy wire and plastic baskets keep produce visible and accessible with a full-extension slider.
   Custom-designed drawers can be configured to hold just about anything from linens to extra silverware and serving utensils to special occasion supplies like cake stands and candle holders. Thanks to custom-designed drawers, you can set the perfect table for any gathering, without digging out the proper decor from some box in the closet. Specialty features like gliding baskets or pull-outs let you easily find what you need, and it’s beautifully displayed as well.
2. A libation station. Adding a beverage center – be it a beverage fridge or cooler, wine storage, or a full-service cocktail bar – helps makes bartending a breeze! Not only does a beverage station free up refrigerator space for party platters and dessert trays, but it also discourages guests from snooping in your fridge while trying to quench their thirst. A display of beverages in a clear-front fridge lets partygoers know what’s meant for them. Furthermore, many beverage coolers can be locked. You can keep alcohol on refrigerated and on display between parties without having to worry about underage drinkers or disappearing inventory.



3. Open or glass-front shelving. When it’s party o’clock and everyone is arriving, I can be easy for the hosts to find themselves ‘in the weeds’ as they try to greet people, take coats, and fill drink requests, too. Thanks to open or glass-front shelving and/or built-in stemware racks, delicate glasses of all sizes and types can be attractively displayed, within reach, and safeguarded from breaking. Open storage give you access to everything you need and makes finding things easy, even for guests.
4. Islands and countertops for serving. Large (or double!) kitchen islands and countertop expanses aren’t just for prepping and cooking; they also provide generous surface space for a delectable buffet or a sophisticated stand-up bar. A well-designed party kitchen layout will allow multiple cooks to work side by side and assist in guest traffic flow. Being at the center of the celebration and mingling with friends and family is the way we all want to entertain.
5. Enough seating for everyone. We’re used to seeing an island with counter stools on one side – it’s a common arrangement. But having everyone seated facing the same direction isn’t always the most social seating arrangement. If you anticipate having family or guests frequently eating around the kitchen island(s), work with your designer to create a plan that encourages conversation. Houzz.com has a great article on the subject.



6. A scullery or butler’s pantry or walk-in pantry. When you’re entertaining, you want everyone – including you – to enjoy the party. And one of the biggest killjoys is a mess. You’ll want somewhere to hide the dirty dishes, the extra bags of potato chips, and the clutter that comes with party prepping. Sculleries, butler’s pantries, and walk-in pantries are an entertainer’s best friends. This Swartz Kitchens article explains the differences between these three spaces, yet all three are great for last-minute food preparation and presentation, storing messy dishes, and housing extra dishes and small appliances that can make the main kitchen feel cluttered. Essentially these workhorse spaces adjacent to the kitchen allow homeowners to have their cake and eat it too (without the mess!).
   Don’t have room for one of these three kitchen “helpers” in your home? As an alternative, consider sliding pantry shelves; their brilliant design makes entertaining easy. Instead of using your pantry shelves for cans and dried goods; fill them with party platters, serving trays and glassware like stylist Heather Bullard. No more climbing ladders to reach those party platters tucked away on top of the upper cabinets.



7. Entertaining extras. For the serious party host, consider adding in extras like warming drawers, charging stations, smart trash and recycling bins, smart faucets, an espresso machine and coffee maker, and a flat-screen television for sporting events, Oscar nights or viewing parties.

With a professionally designed party kitchen, you’re more ready than ever to host the party of the season (or a few!). When entertaining in a well thought out kitchen, having people over is easy, relaxing, and fun. To get started on your new kitchen, schedule your consultation with a design expert at Swartz Kitchens & Baths.