Food brings people together, and there's no better way to show you care than hosting a meal for family and friends at home. Whether you are a master of lavish multi-course menus or casually throwing together tried and tested dishes, your kitchen needs to function according to your specific needs.

An entertainer’s kitchen accommodates the busyness of a gathering and makes easy work of preparation and cleanup. With a custom kitchen by Balnei & Colina, the stress of hosting family and friends melts away, leaving you to enjoy time with loved ones.    

Are you dreaming of owning the ultimate entertainer's kitchen? In this month's B&C Home Journal, we share 6 essential elements for the ultimate entertainer's kitchen. Enjoy!

Robert Fonti

Balnei & Colina Renovations 

Balnei & Colina | Kitchen Renovation Sydney

How to create the ultimate entertainer's kitchen

1. Layout

An entertainer’s kitchen is open and inviting. It’s where more than one person can comfortably work and relax, and it will feel connected to other parts of the home. Create a social kitchen renovation by opening the floor plan to the dining and outdoor entertaining spaces, which are areas that guests often move between.  

People are drawn to a large island in a kitchen design and will linger longer if comfortable seating is available. A kitchen island gives you prep space and a spot to serve meals. In smaller kitchen renovations, a compact breakfast bar can provide some of the same conveniences. Read further about kitchen design layouts to suit your kitchen design dimensions here.

 

Image via Austin Design 

Image via The Haven List

 

 

Balnei & Colina | Phillip Bay Kitchen Renovation

2. Appliances

Generally, entertainers' kitchens tend to be larger and contain appliances and fittings that support more substantial gatherings when needed. Opt for a roomy fridge, a more generous 900mm oven and cooktop, for example, and a generously sized dishwasher, as these will be your saviours when cooking for larger groups. 

Warming drawers are a recent kitchen design trend for serious home entertainers. They are great for storing food at the right temperature when cooking multiple dishes simultaneously and can heat plates, cups, and saucers to elevate the dining experience. A Balnei & Colina kitchen design specialist can offer clever kitchen space planning solutions and help locate appliances to optimise functionality and workflow to support the perfect environment for entertaining.    

Design Tip: For a more seamless look, opt for integrated appliances. A Balnei & Colina custom kitchen design with bespoke joinery allows for seamless integration of appliances into the surrounding cabinetry, lending a clean, fuss-free look to your new kitchen renovation. 

 

Image via Austin Design

 

 

Balnei & Colina | Randwick Kitchen Renovation 

3. Storage and prep space

Ample benchtops and lots of storage are key elements to maximise functionality in your kitchen renovation and create an inviting space that allows people to gather and help out with meal preparation. It creates a social kitchen that is also a dream to work in. 

A butler's pantry is an excellent addition to any kitchen renovation and is common in entertainers' kitchens. As an extension of your kitchen, a butler's pantry can provide extra storage and secondary preparation space, all neatly tucked away and hidden from guests (which is great when things get messy!). Read our top tips for creating a functional and fabulous butler’s pantry.

 

Balnei & Colina | Sydney Kitchen Renovation

 

 

Image via Mindy Gayer 

4. The right lighting scheme

Think about the lighting in your favourite restaurant or hotel. We bet it's a perfect balance of illumination and mood. Light enough for you to read a menu without being too bright. 

Create an inviting atmosphere by layering lighting in your kitchen design, including task lighting in key kitchen work zones like food preparation and wash-up zones. Check out our blog post on how to choose the best lighting scheme for your kitchen.

 

Balnei & Colina | Kitchen Renovation Eastern Suburbs Sydney

 

 

Image via Bone Made

5. Easy-to-clean surfaces 

Choose sturdy kitchen surfaces that are easy to wipe clean so that you can spend more time with your guests and less time worrying about the mess. 

Engineered stone is tough and forgiving, making it an ideal choice for kitchen benchtops, while ceramic tile, polished concrete and hardwoods provide low-maintenance flooring options. 

Fun Fact: Did you know that brass disinfects itself? Called the 'oligodynamic effect', the ions within the metal have a toxic effect on viruses, moulds, and pretty much all living cells. In light of the pandemic, a perfect solution for today's more hygiene-focused renovation projects.

 

Image via Sarah Shields 

 

 

Balnei & Colina | Kitchen Renovation Eastern Suburbs Sydney

6.  A WOW factor element

Speaking of kitchen renovations looking their best, consider a statement design element to craft an irresistible space that grabs people’s attention and draws them in. It could be a row of statement pendant lights over the island, bold colour on the cabinets, or a patterned tile that is unexpected but stylish. 

The design gesture will delight your guests, but more importantly, it will result in a kitchen renovation that is uniquely your own. With a Balnei & Colina kitchen renovation, your kitchen design can be stamped with your personality, resulting in a space that you are proud to share with family and friends.  

 

Image via Bone Made

Still needing inspiration for your entertainer’s kitchen renovation? Leave it to the experts at Balnei & Colina Kitchen Renovations Sydney. From planning to execution, the full-service Balnei & Colina team will guide you through every step of the renovation journey.

Book a kitchen design consultation today on 1300 450 320; send us your project details via this contact form or book a call to discuss your kitchen project in more detail. You can also email us direct via info@balneiandcolina.com.au. 

To keep up with the latest kitchen trends, follow us on Facebook and Instagram or sign-up for our newsletter.

 

Image via The Haven List

Image via The Haven List