Hosting season is on the horizon, but if you’re like me, it never really starts or ends. Being a good host is an art, but it’s hard to do so if you don’t have the right space to entertain to begin with. The kitchen is the one room at the heart of hosting, so finding the best layout to entertain well will be key to easing the process.
Whether it’s cooking a Christmas dinner, hosting New Years Eve tipples or even just lounging with friends and family in those nondescript days in-between, it can be tricky to do so effortlessly if your kitchen layout is working against you.
What is the best kitchen layout for hosting?
If you’re at the start of your kitchen renovation project and know that hosting is a top priority in your life, then choosing a layout that works for this is essential.
‘The best kitchens for hosting are those that balance sociability with practicality. Layouts built around an island or peninsula work particularly well, as they create a clear divide between cooking and entertaining zones,’ says Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport.
‘Guests can gather around one side without intruding on preparation areas, while the host maintains an easy flow between appliances, sink and storage. Positioning the hob or prep area to face the room helps to maintain connection, turning cooking into part of the occasion rather than a task hidden away,’ Richard adds.
Having a small kitchen doesn’t rule you out of having a sociable kitchen, though.
‘Open-plan designs work beautifully, but even smaller kitchens can feel social with adaptable seating, like a breakfast bar or island,’ adds Al Bruce, Founder of Olive & Barr.
1. Add in freestanding furniture
Don’t worry if your kitchen doesn’t already include the components that guests naturally gather around – it’s still possible to add them in retrospect. In fact, a big kitchen trend for 2026 is opting for freestanding kitchen furniture as opposed to built-in cabinetry, as it offers a much more versatile layout.
‘If your existing layout is less suited to entertaining, there are still effective ways to adapt it. Freestanding pieces such as a console or movable butcher’s block can create an additional surface for serving or prep, while discreet lighting and furniture placement can subtly delineate a sociable zone,’ Richard explains.
Even if you have a smaller kitchen, a slimline freestanding island or small wooden table can create a useful extra surface perfect for entertaining.
Why not choose a contrasting colour for your island? This green freestanding unit will go with so many looks.
Olney Compact Kitchen Island, Grey
Small kitchens can benefit from an island too – this style from Dunelm is more slimline, making it easier to slot in.
Theonie Wooden Kitchen Island
If you mainly want a freestanding island for extra seating then you can’t go wrong with this unit – it has a tiny amount of storage, too.
2. Relocate seating
Particularly in an open-plan kitchen, seating plays a huge role in how your space encourages socialising. From kitchen island stools to a sofa or armchair for laidback living, being tactical with how this seating is positioned will make a big difference to how simple hosting is.
‘Even simple adjustments, such as relocating seating to improve circulation, can transform how well a kitchen functions when you are hosting,’ Richard adds.
Facing island stools towards a hob will help to involve those cooking in conversation, while simply adding an armchair near a bar cart or side table will tempt guests to relax in your kitchen.
3. Adjust ambience to encourage movement
It’s the small things, as well as the major pieces of furniture, that can impact how a kitchen layout works. Kitchen lighting will directly contribute to how a cooking space operates, and cleverly positioning it, as well as changing the bulb colour, will alter the hosting ambience.
‘An island always lends itself so well to hosting and the lighting and ambience created in conjunction with this is key. When hanging glass pendants over a kitchen island, proportion and placement are key. Fixtures should sit at a height that feels both comfortable and practical, low enough to provide useful light, but high enough to keep sightlines clear,’ Massimo Buster Minale, founder and creative director of Buster + Punch, recommends.
Similarly, adding warm task lighting through candles and lamps to cosy areas of your kitchen will subtly encourage guests to gather in these spots. Not to mention it sets the mood for a relaxed evening full of joy.
4 Ivory Truglow® Remote Control Short Led Taper Candles
Real candles can be a faff and a fire hazard, these remote control taper candles are ideal for hosting.
Cherry Lacquer Rechargeable Bobbin Led Lamp
Burgundy is the colour of the season – a small addition through a lamp pays the perfect homage.
Brass Hector Rechargeable Large Wireless Table Lamp
This brass lamp is so sophisticated – I would pop a few of these on a tablescape for a dramatic glow.
A kitchen layout can have a huge impact on how well your space works for hosting, but it’s the small things that count too. Setting the mood with lighting, adding scent and choosing comfortable seating will all encourage guests to linger for longer.
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