4 Kitchen Design Ideas: Turn Your Kitchen into a Social Hub

Many of us already understand that the modern kitchen still functions as the heart of the family home, just as it always has in previous generations. However, increasingly the kitchen is being used for more than cooking meals and eating. It can be a place to hang out with friends, a trend that has been termed "a social kitchen" and this can be achieved with a little planning. Let’s take a look at four kitchen design ideas that will turn your kitchen into a social hub for you, your friends and your family.

1. Open Plan is the Way to Go:

The best way to open up your kitchen to more people is to open up the space. An open plan kitchen is the very best choice if that’s possible. If not, there are some changes that could make the best of the situation. If your kitchen is adjacent to the living area, you could install a set of folding doors to open the kitchen up to the living room. If your kitchen opens up onto a deck, some folding doors there would make the kitchen more connected to the deck area.

2. Breakfast Bars and Islands are Your Friends:

A physical socialising center is necessary, and people in kitchens gravitate to islands and breakfast bars. This is particularly true if there are bar stool and somewhere to put down a drink as they chat to the chef. If space permits, add some snacks you’ve made to add a bar vibe.

3. Combine the Dining and Kitchen Area:

If your dining area is located in the kitchen, it will automatically become the social centre during a meal or other gathering. It can be quite surprising for some hosts, how many people can actually fit in a space such as this. Kitchen cabinets should be located on the wall, and space should be freed up for a table that comfortably fits in place.

4. Alternating Kitchen Island Heights:

If you or your loved ones have children, it can be hard to accommodate those not in highchairs. They cannot sit on a bar stool safely, so why not lower one end of your island to their height? This is great for breakfasts before school, doing homework with a snack and an informal kids area at parties.

If you’re planning a new home, kitchen designs can be a confusing stumbling block. AT The Maker, we provide a professional kitchen design and manufacturing service. Our new kitchen designs are inspired by the best in contemporary European design. Our manufacturing is carried out by highly skilled craftsmen using the best equipment. The result is a custom kitchen, that is aesthetically pleasing and a joy to use. Our team is standing by to learn more about your needs, and they can answer any additional questions that you may have.