A Chicago kitchen design should always take lifestyle into consideration. Looks are important, but function and flow are certainly a priority. If you're a consummate host, or your home is frequently a venue for charity events and fundraisers, designing a social kitchen - one that accommodates guests, caterers and gathering - is essential.

Design a Chicago Kitchen Built For Entertaining

Here are some of the items that will turn your kitchen from adequate to super-efficient and highly-functional.

1. Ask yourself a handful of questions. We always advise that clients ask and answer key questions about How their kitchen is used before designing official remodeling plans. These questions are augmented a bit if clients inform us they like to entertain. Then, we want to know things like:
   --What type of events are most commonly held? Casual get-togethers; formal sit down dinners; Friday happy hours; buffets?
   --How many people are typically entertained?
   --Do you do a good deal of the food prep and cooking for larger events or do you usually have your events catered?
   --Do you plate food, serve it family-style or have guests serve themselves?
   --How many cooks are in the kitchen when you're hosting an event?
   As you answer these questions, you will begin to see how the design and layout of your kitchen may shift, expand or change - to facilitate more enjoyable events.
   
   
2. Think about extra appliances. Those who entertain often will have a few extra appliances to consider. For example, you may decide you want to install double dishwashers, rather than a single, so cleanup is more efficient. Warming drawers are worth considering and a wine refrigerator is a must. An espresso/coffee bar is appreciated. You might also consider installing a flat-screen TV if sporting events form a nucleus to your event planning calendar.
   
   
3. Butler's pantry. If your home is large enough, or you have the option to expand, serial entertainers often find their kitchen is transformed by the addition of a butler's pantry. Traditionally, the butler's pantry lives between the kitchen and dining room. If you find that formal events are less frequent, you may decide eliminating the formal dining room and opening up a larger kitchen, with expanded dine-in seating space, and an auxiliary space for food prep and serving is the way to go. The butler's pantry can include point-of-service refrigeration, a sink, extra servingware, a wet bar, warmers, dish storage and any other items that will facilitate social events.
   
   
4. Extra counter space. Is there ever enough counter space? Not when you cook dinner for the masses! If your kitchen space is large enough, consider adding two islands. In addition to extra countertop surfaces, gain additional cabinet space for storage and balancing additional appliances. Raised bars are also a must for seating and buffet-style food service.
   
   
5. Design a thoughtful lighting plan. It's especially important that your lighting plan accommodate both utility and ambient lighting. Make sure to install dimmers so you can easily transition from "food prep" to "mood lighting" when it's time to serve the meal.

Does your Chicago kitchen design need to accommodate a busy event calendar? Schedule a consultation with Kitchens & Baths Unlimited to make sure you take all of the essential planning details into consideration.