Dreaming of a remodeled kitchen that will add greater enjoyment and practical function to your Twin Cities home? A thoughtfully designed new kitchen layout, with all the latest appliances and indulgent details, can support the rhythm of your daily life while also creating a welcoming place to host holiday gatherings.

The key to striking this sense of balance between everyday use and special occasions lies in selecting features that are flexible, spacious, and inviting. Read on to discover 10 ways you can plan your new kitchen design to suit the many ways you will use it over the years.

Make Room for Everyone

Creating room for people to move about and gather makes everyday kitchen activities more relaxing, and it also allows for guests to mingle freely during holidays and other parties.

Establish a Good Flow with an Open Floorplan

A roomy layout removes barriers to gatherings and simplifies daily activities. Consider removing walls so that your kitchen, dining room, den, and deck flow together. The added space offers ample breathing room and allows you to stay connected as you supervise children, talk with friends, and cook while guests mingle nearby.

Increase Seating with a Large Kitchen Island

Kitchens are a natural gathering place. Why not embrace this reality by installing a gorgeous, multifunctional island with hidden storage? You might include a second sink, comfortable bar seats, and a heat-resistant countertop that resists stains. Let the space double as a serving station when several guests are present.

Enhance Cooking and Preparation Spaces

Having the right appliances not only makes daily meal-making a delight, but it also eases the pressure of holiday cooking. Expansive countertop spaces give you added room for food prep, plating, serving, and cleaning up afterward.

Speed Up Baking with Double Ovens and Warming Drawers

If you entertain large groups or like to prepare multi-course meals, treat yourself to extra oven space. Double ovens simplify your ability to simultaneously cook different dishes—roasting turkey while baking rolls and pies, for example—all while visiting with others. Warming drawers keep foods heated, handy even for everyday use.

Ease Self-Service for Guests with Beverage Stations

A dedicated beverage station helps eliminate congestion in your kitchen by simplifying people’s ability to serve themselves. You might use a separate counter for drinks and coffee, or install a butler’s pantry with more than one doorway for convenient access. Include a mini fridge stocked with beverages, ice maker, tea and coffee supplies, glasses, filtered water, and a sink.

Streamline Cleaning Routines

Whether hosting a large party or simply cooking for yourself, tidying up can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways to make cleaning more streamlined and pleasant, something to incorporate into any kitchen redesign.

Simplify Cleanup with a Second Dishwasher and Sink

Holiday gatherings normally mean using more plates, platters, coffee mugs, wine glasses, and serving utensils than usual. An additional dishwasher speeds up cleaning so you can spend more time with guests. Many people enjoy an extra sink, since one sink can be used for food prep while the other is reserved for dirty dishes. 

Install Hidden Trash Bins

Eliminate messiness and unpleasant odors with a pull-out trash receptacle drawer tucked underneath the sink or kitchen island. Many built-in systems feature multiple bins, giving you a designated spot to separate out the recycling.

Create Breathing Room with Additional Storage

When you invest in a kitchen remodel, it is smart to find ways to maximize storage. This yields ample room for your favorite kitchen items and keeps counters clear and visually appealing.

Maximize Hidden Storage Spaces

Today’s cabinetry systems offer handy storage in spaces previously considered hard to access. Add pull-out vertical storage units in the narrow gaps beside appliances to house holiday baking sheets and serving platters, or everyday cutting boards and spice jars. Install toe-kick drawers underneath floor cabinets to hold seasonal dishware without impacting daily storage.

Make More Counterspace with Pull-Out Stations

Use special cabinetry to store rarely used items. A pull-out cabinet that houses your heavy-duty stand mixer, toaster, and other small appliances can be slid out at a moment’s notice. If your holiday routine includes after-dinner coffee and tea, a special drawer with dividers can conveniently hold teacups, mugs, dessert dishes, and your coffee and tea collection.

Create a Truly Inviting Atmosphere

Finally, consider the overall energy and feel of your kitchen. A bright, airy, soothing space invites relaxation and pleasure, whether you are entertaining for a special occasion or simply enjoying your daily routine.

Brighten Views with Layered Lighting

Good lighting makes your kitchen functional and inviting. Ambient recessed ceiling lights create good illumination for everyday use, while under-cabinet task lights yield extra brightness for prepping food. Accents like a colorful pendant light or chandelier add elegance for holiday gatherings.

Hang Welcoming Décor

Warm neutrals such as light gray, cream, or wood finishes can create a cozy, inviting feel anytime of the year. Invest in a few special conversation pieces, such as a striking photo or wall art that you can appreciate every day and that guests can admire.

Enjoy a Beautiful, More Functional Kitchen for Entertaining This Year

Ready to update your kitchen? A well-planned remodel can give you every little detail you need to go from practical daily use to special gatherings with ease—especially when you choose an expert team to guide you.

At Beissel Renovation (a part of Beissel Siding & Window), we have a passionate, creative crew of designers and remodelers who draw on 75 years of experience to bring your vision to life. Learn more about our approach to kitchen upgrades, and envision your kitchen transformed into a perfect oasis of practical function and beauty.