If you’ve always wanted to host holiday parties for your friends and family, you might be imagining how to transform your house into the perfect gathering place. Or you might already be planning to build a home that will be perfect for celebrations.
“Either way, there are design strategies that can help you maximize every inch of space to its best advantage when you’re entertaining,” says Malia Yee, Senior Designer at Graham Builders in Honolulu. “The best designs include multifunctional spaces – good for a family’s daily use, and also adaptable for larger dinners and parties.”
Hosting at home
From the front door, you’ll want to create a welcoming environment. “Providing guests with a view through your home to your garden or lanai is smart, and it’s also terrific if you can create a seamless connection between interior and exterior entertaining areas with sliding or retractable doors,” Yee offers. “And a focal point like a gallery wall, work of art, or great view can inspire curiosity and conversation.”
Nothing sets a mood better than thoughtfully designed lighting. “For entertaining, try to layer your interior lighting, with an ambient layer overhead, accents to emphasize focal points, and task lighting for small areas,” recommends Yee. Don’t forget to include complementary lighting in outdoor areas, to make parties magical – and keep guests safe.
If you enjoy cooking for a crowd – and even encouraging guests to help with prep and cleanup — your kitchen might include a large island with plenty of seating. Your countertop should provide 12-18 inches of overhang for knee space, and its height should be suitable for the chairs or stools you plan to use. An island designed for entertaining might incorporate a grill, a small beverage fridge, and a prep sink, extra outlets for small appliances, even integrated cutting boards and swivel-out shelves for mixers.
“Include drawers and cabinets on both sides to maximize storage for cookware, big party bowls and platters,” Yee suggests. “Appliances like icemakers, wine coolers, double ovens, and extra dishwashers, fridges, and freezers are also options if you love to entertain.”
Party spaces
Most modern kitchens are designed around a “work triangle” – the functional space between refrigerator, stove, and sink.
“Your ‘entertainment triangle’ can consist of your kitchen, indoor and outdoor living areas, and a private but accessible powder room,” says Yee. She urges clients to place bathroom entrances discreetly away from public spaces, and to make them accessible from outdoors whenever possible.
“If your parties include activities like movies, karaoke, and video games, your design might include built-in entertainment centers for big-screen TVs, peripherals, and audio equipment,” she says. Outdoor bars, kitchens, and barbecue pits are also winning additions.
Founded in 1990, Graham Builders remains the only contractor in Hawaii honored by the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Business Ethics. Plan your dream home around your parties with Graham Builders’ FREE “Building Your Home for Life” seminar on February 1st, from 9-11 a.m. at the Honolulu Country Club. Register at grahambuilders.com or call 593-2808.