Summer’s nearly here, and you know what that means – long sunny days at the beach, refreshing cocktails on the patio, and of course, parties that show off your creativity and hosting expertise. Whether you’re celebrating a special birthday, working with your neighbours to create the ultimate street party, or holding an intimate affair, people will always find their way into your kitchen, and therefore you’ve got to ensure it looks its best to keep that party energy flowing. As experts in kitchens ourselves, we thought we’d share our tips to ensure your kitchen is party hosting ready and make yours the talk of the town.

SCRUB EVERYTHING

It’s likely there’s remnants of spilt drinks, grease or dirt found throughout your kitchen space, and therefore, from the floor, cabinets and fridge to the windows, appliances and surfaces, ensure you scrub every inch of your kitchen. Even if you went over this space vigorously during your recent Spring Cleaning, there’s no harm in making the results last a little longer.

Along the cleaning lines, discard any expired food and leftovers from the fridge that guests may accidentally consume should they not realise it’s not in date. This also creates space for party food and drinks, ensuring you have plenty of treats to give your lovely guests.

SET UP A BAR

Turn your countertop, island or kitchen table into its very own bar, complete with ice bucket (or vase for a stylish take on the traditional container), a wide selection of colourful straws, cocktail umbrellas, fruit and glasses, as well as, of course, alcohol. For big parties, why not hire a bartender complete with mixologist skills that will wow the crowd and help make their drinks go down a treat.

OFFER STATEMENT SNACKS

Popcorn, crisps, nuts and tortilla chips are a great start, but if you’re looking to offer something extra special, why not try mediterranean flatbreads, pigs in a blanket, stuffed avocados or even Crostini? Let your culinary prowess speak for itself as your guests marvel at its brilliance. Place these snacks on decorative plates that add to the ambience of the party – for example – wooden boards to emanate nature and that summary vibe.

CREATE ATMOSPHERE

Who’s to say your kitchen must always emit that bright yellow glow? Scent-filled candles are a perfect companion to colour-changing bunting that amazes the eye. Placing throw pillows on your kitchen window seat creates a comfortable space for those looking for a break, and soft music can help to set the right mood.

OTHER TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR KITCHEN PARTY HOSTING READY:

• Place strips of paper around the kitchen for guests to find with their name on it, and add something you like about them on it.
• Set up games for children to play on the fridge – such as magnet-based jigsaws, board games and a white board to draw on.
• Set up a karaoke machine so that everyone can show off their singing talents.

There’s lots of fun things you can do to make your kitchen party-hosting ready, and therefore, we hope you’ve found this post helpful in your endeavours. If you’ve been thinking of updating your cabinets because they’re beyond repair, and cleaning isn’t helping matters, why not give us a call today on 0161 327 0353 for a detailed discussion of your needs. We have a great range of traditional, modern and contemporary kitchens, so you’re sure to find one that you, and your guests, will love. We look forward to hearing from you, and have a wonderful party.