Easy Entertaining Tips for your Kitchen

Whether it’s your home on Lake Independence, or your cabin on Gull Lake, we all know our summer lives revolve around “the lake.” I was never even allowed to play softball as a child because it was a summer sport and “summers were for the lake.” Entertaining can be a large part of summer, and we all know where the best place to entertain is – the kitchen.

Using your kitchen to entertain is a great idea, especially because even as the host you get to be a part of the party. Granite countertops are common for easy maintenance, and some lake itchens feature a tile floor which serves as a better buffer to sand and water as compared to a wood floor. “There are many ceramic floors that look like sandstone and slate, but are less expensive and often hold up better,” Mike Walstead, of Walstead Tile said. For lake homes, large open kitchens with big windows facing the lake are common eliminating upper cabinets. Some newer kitchens are even putting plates in base cabinet drawers. “Clients usually request more countertop space, large windows with lake views, and a refrigerator with a lot of beverage space,” said Beth Hansen, interior design manager at Lake Country Builders Ltd.

It is also smart to situate the island so people who sit there can view they lake while they cook or socialize.

And, raised island snack bars with bar stools tend to offer a better view over the outside deck railings. The deck usually extends off the kitchen making it a convenient place for grilling. To makes things easier, put wine chillers and beverage refrigerators as close to the outside door as possible. It’s always a good idea to install an icemaker so you can grab ice on your way to the boat.  Jay Mittlestadt, project manager for The Danberry Company, said that some walkout houses even convert their lower level bar to a kitchenette. “Outdoor living is also becoming more of a trend,” Hansen said. “We have even done some outdoor kitchens.”t is also smart to situate the island so people who sit there can view they lake while they cook or socialize. And, raised island snack bars with bar stools tend to offer a better view over the outside deck railings. The deck usually extends off the kitchen making it a convenient place for grilling. To makes things easier, put wine chillers and beverage refrigerators as close to the outside door as possible. It’s always a good idea to install an icemaker so you can grab ice on your way to the boat.  Jay Mittlestadt, project manager for The Danberry Company, said that some walkout houses even convert their lower level bar to a kitchenette. “Outdoor living is also becoming more of a trend,” Hansen said. “We have even done some outdoor kitchens.”  One Stonewood client, Gerry & Susan Hughes, loves to entertain but Susan’s only problem was getting people to leave the kitchen. “I would put food in all other rooms of the house and everyone stayed in the kitchen,” Susan said. “I used to joke that someday I would build a house with just a kitchen.”  As it turns out, Susan wasn’t joking. Last winter the Hughes finished their newly-remodeled Prior Lake home which now consists of a large great room with a central kitchen surrounded by a dinette and family room. The kitchen, which faces the lake, was designed with two islands and plenty of space for entertaining and cooking.  “We wanted everything to be very open and easy,” Susan said. The couple also included a small BBQ deck and a screened-off porch, both off the kitchen. They also put in a lower level kitchen so they can entertain on both levels and are hoping to finish their outdoor kitchen this summer.

By Lyndsey Danberry