Press Release

October 2024




Key Considerations for Designing a Sociable Kitchen: Expert Insights from Willis & Stone

The kitchen is no longer just a place to cook, as the central hub of the home, it's where we gather, share and connect with family and friends. Whether it's for casual family meals or hosting over the festive season, creating a sociable kitchen requires thoughtful planning and design. Molly Chandler, kitchen designer at Willis & Stone shares the top factors to consider when crafting a kitchen that encourages connection and interaction.

1. Choosing the right Layout

When creating a sociable kitchen an open-plan layout is often the preferred choice. Open-plan spaces offer numerous advantages, making them ideal for households with a social lifestyle, where family members can interact effortlessly across the kitchen, dining and living areas. This layout is also great for entertaining guests, as hosts can prepare food while still engaging with friends and family in the adjoining areas. An open plan arrangement creates a sense of spaciousness, allowing the natural light to flow throughout the entire area.

Whilst an open-plan layout is ideal for socialising, there are a few challenges to consider and plan for. For example, cooking odours will spread more easily in an open plan space so it's important to choose a high quality extractor fan to keep this from becoming an issue. Similarly, noise levels can also appear louder as noises from cooking, appliance and conversations all spread easily across the space. A practical solution is to incorporate sound-absorbing materials like rugs, curtains and soft furnishings, which help reduce noise and create a more comfortable environment.

2. Island or Penisula?

Whilst the kitchen island has gained status as the ultimate gathering spot and social anchor in many modern kitchens, don't forget to consider other options too. The humble peninsula can also offer ample seating along one side, allowing guests to interact with the cook while facing the kitchen. A peninsula can also be a good way to define work zones, making it easier to separate cooking activities from socialising while still being connected to guests.

The choice often depends on the available space, as islands require ample floor space and sufficient clearance on all sides to function effectively. If space does allow, islands offer great social benefits by allowing access from all sides, making it easier for people to gather and interact from different angles.

3. Comfort is Key: Think about Seating

To encourage relaxed conversations, it's important to incorporate comfortable seating options. From plush bar stools at the kitchen island to a cosy nook with soft cushions, creating areas where people can comfortably sit and talk enhances the kitchen's social atmosphere. It's also a good idea to arrange seating to face the kitchen so everyone can be included.

In an open-plan space, flexibility is key so you may wish to opt for seating that can be easily moved or re-arranged. This makes it easy to adapt to different activities, from casual gatherings to more formal dining settings.  

4. Be Strategic with your Zones

Designing a sociable kitchen doesn’t have to mean compromising on function and proper zoning can ensure that socialising doesn’t interfere with cooking. Try to create dedicated spaces for food prep, cooking and cleaning that are separate from where guests or family members gather. This prevents overcrowding in the kitchen and keeps everything organised.

A key factor in creating a functional and sociable kitchen is the strategic positioning of appliances. For instance, placing the oven and hob away from high-traffic areas ensures the cook has enough space to work safely without frequent interruptions. The exception is when the hob is positioned on an island, in which case social seating is typically placed on the opposite side at a safe distance. Meanwhile, the refrigerator, often used by both the cook and other family members, should be located in a transitional zone. This allows easy access to drinks or snacks without disrupting the cooking area.

5. Don't underestimate the Importance of Lighting

Lighting plays a critical role in creating a warm, inviting atmosphere in a sociable kitchen. Lighting needs to be versatile enough for cooking tasks whilst also setting the right atmosphere for socialising and dining. The best way to achieve this is with a layered lighting scheme, combining task, ambient and accent lighting to meet different needs. Dimmable lights can also be helpful in transitioning from bright, functional cooking light to softer, more ambient lighting when it's time to entertain.

6. Store & Order: Everything in it's place

Storage is essential in designing a sociable kitchen because it ensures a clutter-free space and an inviting atmosphere where people will want to gather without feeling cramped or overwhelmed by mess. Adequate storage allows easy access to cooking tools, ingredients and appliances while keeping countertops clear for social interaction, ensuring the kitchen is an enjoyable space for both cooking and socialising.

Designing a sociable kitchen is about more than aesthetics, it's about creating a functional, inviting space where people naturally gather. With careful thought and planning, your kitchen can become the heart of your home, where memories are made from big family celebrations to simple everyday life.

About Willis & Stone

Willis & Stone are a small family-owned business based in Cambridgeshire. Founded by a family looking to furnish their home with quality, long-lasting and timeless solid wood furniture, this inspired a passion for manufacturing bespoke, solid wood items which they now deliver across the UK. They are a progressive, problem-solving team who work together to support local crafts people and to use sustainable materials in order to make products that will last a lifetime.

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