Six Tips for Creating A Luxurious, Yet Welcoming Kitchen This Holiday Season

The rapid approach of winter means festive holiday gatherings are ahead. If you’re hosting a holiday gathering at home this year, you’re probably already in the planning stages to make sure that every detail is accounted for. As the host or hostess, you might be interested to know that the most popular place for guests to congregate is the kitchen. Perhaps it’s the warmth of the oven or the aroma of freshly baked pastries wafting from the room, but people usually gather in the kitchen more than any other area of a home. This means that the kitchen should be more than just functional. Here are six tips for making your kitchen a more luxurious and welcoming place for guests to perch.

Build Your Nest

Provide comfortable and plentiful seating. People often linger for longer if there are plenty of places to sit and relax. Consider using some designer pillows or posh padded cushions made from vintage fabric to make them more comfortable. Centering the seating around a central piece of furniture like an island, bar or table. If you have a smaller kitchen space, you can still give it some depth by using a rolling island or small table to expand the counter space. Place a few bar stools or chairs around it to increase your seating availability. Adding a bit of seating also makes your kitchen the perfect spot to enjoy a craft cocktail while the main course finishes cooking. 

Get Crafty

Speaking of craft cocktails, your guests will enjoy being welcomed into a kitchen that features a DIY craft cocktail station. This allows guests to show their creativity by creating a customized cocktail using homemade mixers, infused spirits and various fresh herbs from the garden. Be sure to include some sparkling water, fresh fruit juices and various teas for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverage options. Invest in a set of high-end barware to compliment the rest of the kitchen. Provide recipe cards so that guests can name their creations and keep the recipe for later, or swap with other guests. It’s a great icebreaker for those who may not already know each other.

Put On A Spread 

Stock up on different shaped and sized charcuterie boards, then present guests with a spread of artisanal meats, cheese, pickled vegetables, foie gras, and other delectable accoutrements. Some of our favorite charcuterie board ideas can be found on the Reluctant Entertainer blog. Be sure to plan for your vegan and vegetarian guests with a board dedicated to fresh vegetables, hummus, tapenades, and crackers. Using cardstock, create holiday-themed labels for each item, and be sure to include where they were sourced (for example, Prosciutto: Belmont Butchery.) Your food can easily become a conversation piece! 

Create Ambience

A welcoming kitchen always includes ambiance. Try to avoid harsh lighting and take advantage of natural light, or candlelight. Change out brighter light bulbs for softer ones. Update your lighting fixtures to something a little more elegant than what is intended for everyday use. Using sheer panels on windows in place of heavier drapery will increase the natural light. Strategically placed candles provide a cozy glow and create additional warmth in any room. Our favorite holiday candles are made by NEST Fragrances. Guests will feel more relaxed when their surroundings evoke feelings of leisure and comfort.

Keep It Contained

A holiday party is a great reason to declutter your kitchen area. Get rid of any unnecessary items in the kitchen to make room for food, decor, and guests. Consider adding a beautiful credenza, which can double as storage space as well as serve as a place for your charcuterie boards and cocktails. 

Spruce Things Up

If your kitchen has not been recently updated, or it’s looking a little lackluster, now is the time to take inventory and find ways to do a revamp to give it a more opulent feel. Maybe the walls could use a fresh coat of color, or the knobs on your cupboards are looking a little worn. One thing that really makes a difference and gets noticed, because of how often it’s used, is the kitchen faucet. It’s amazing how much of a difference a new faucet can make. Adding a pot filler above the stove is also a great way to make the kitchen look more modern and is very convenient if you’ll be cooking, or have guests who will need to use the stove. Waterstone’s faucets and pot fillers are not only gorgeous, but they come already assembled, making installation the easiest part of your holiday party prep! 
We’d love to see your holiday-inspired kitchens and Waterstone faucets this season! Be sure to tag us @waterstoneusa on Instagram, or reach out to us via at creative@waterstoneco.com.