Is your kitchen equipped for holiday parties?

If you’ve found yourself becoming envious of The Jones’ great entertaining kitchen, don’t worry—you’re not alone. In a USA Today poll in 2013, 69 percent of consumers polled said they wished they could spend more money on new appliances, 55 percent said they would spend more on new granite countertops, and 48 percent said they’d like a new kitchen island.

In the DC area and Maryland and Virginia suburbs, space is limited and remodeling is pricey, so if you have to choose one room to update to keep up with the Jones’ you should focus on the kitchen. The kitchen has become the standard center point of the home, with most entertaining being done around the kitchen island. If you’re looking to update your home and want an entertainment kitchen fabulous enough to make the Jones’ green with envy, be sure to include these five must-haves:

A kitchen island with lots of counter space

The kitchen island is the number one must-have if you want a great entertaining kitchen. Not only can you fit the island with custom cabinets underneath and a stunning countertop, it’s extremely functional as well as beautiful. Having ample counter space in an L-shape, like the kitchen island above, allows more people to gather around and lets more interactions happen naturally. It also is a great place to show off your culinary skills and can be looked at as a canvas for you to create a beautiful spread of snacks and appetizers.

A roomy refrigerator

You already live in a great neighborhood in the DC area, so impressing the neighbors needs to move indoors. An up-to-date, roomy refrigerator is a must-have for a kitchen great for entertaining. Not only does it allow you to stock up on appetizers and finger foods but it can also serve as a beautiful addition to your cabinetry if you get it fitted with custom cabinets. Making your refrigerator custom adds a more cohesive, stylish look to your kitchen and helps transform the room into a cozy place to chat and relax instead of feeling like a room specifically used for food preparation.

A double oven and wine chiller

A great host or hostess always has hot food and chilled wine (or other beverages) at their get-togethers. If you’re planning on entertaining guests in your kitchen, you should invest in upgrading to a double oven and wine chiller. The double oven allows you to time your meals perfectly without stressing over different baking times and temperature. If you’ve not already got a double oven, now might be the right time to make that big improvement to your kitchen.

Anyone who drinks wine on a regular basis knows how crowded the refrigerator can get with numerous bottles taking up door and shelf space. With a wine chiller, you’re freeing up valuable space in your refrigerator and providing easy access to perfectly chilled wine for any guests.

Great lighting

Lighting can make or break any room in the house, and if the kitchen is going to be your entertainment hub, you should make sure your lighting is well-suited for hosting parties. Avoid harsh fluorescent lighting and opt for softer lighting hanging from the ceiling. Adding lighting under cabinets is also a great way to show off customized cabinetry and natural stone countertops and adds a softer glow to the room.

Open Concept

In the Maryland, DC, and Virginia area, space is pretty limited. There’s nothing worse than feeling cramped in a room at parties. If your kitchen will be the focal point at parties, make sure it has an open concept so guests won’t feel crowded. Make use of half walls looking into other rooms to keep the guests from feeling separated from one another and add a feeling of togetherness for your gathering.

Add Custom Cabinets to Make Your Kitchen Perfect For Entertaining

If you have limited options as to what you can splurge on for your dream kitchen, adding custom cabinets is always a great way to spruce up a tired-looking kitchen and add some “wow” value to the space. Make the Jones’ jealous this year with the best-looking entertaining kitchen, and contact Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens to schedule a consultation, or visit our showroom in Rockville, MD.