If you love hosting dinner parties, holiday gatherings, and New Year’s Eve bashes, then you’ll want to make sure your next house should have if you’re into entertaining easy. According to Realtor.com, here are seven must-haves that should be at the top of your list if you’re looking to buy a new place.
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Adequate parking
It will be difficult to have more than a few friends over for dinner without a sizable driveway that you can be designated for parking. If the new home you’re considering doesn’t have a long drive, check posted signs and local regulations for street parking. Or think about getting a quote from a contractor or paver to see whether the existing space you have can be reconfigured for more cars.
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A large kitchen island
A kitchen island allows plenty of people to linger in your kitchen, perched on barstools, without you having to maneuver around them to get stuff done. Do a little math when you are house hunting, and decide how many people you want space for around your island—and then factor in a bunch of hangers-on. You probably need to add several more to your number, because people like to congregate in the kitchen.
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Outdoor space
Any porch, deck or patio space in a potential new home is a bonus for those who love to entertain. Even if your outdoor area is on the small side, it still can be a plus at a party. Use it to set up the bar, as a lounge for smokers, or a place to serve cocktails and appetizers. Covered space also is a premium item, along with outdoor fire pits and kitchens.
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A powder room on the main floor
This is a definite must-have when you’re entertaining because it saves your guests from venturing upstairs or using your own master bath. And if its location is well away from the main entertaining rooms, all the better.
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Smart storage
For this feature, you’ll want to seek out lots of kitchen shelving, a walk-in or butler’s pantry, built-in china cabinets or multipurpose units. Home entertainers are always looking for lots of creative storage, particularly those who live in houses that don’t have an attic or basement. For these homes, wall units are a brilliant fix because they can incorporate a wine rack, extra refrigerator, and cabinets for glassware and dishes, plus a countertop that functions as a buffet for serving food.
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Home bar
If the house you’re in love with doesn’t have this item, an extra closet or nook underneath a staircase might be the perfect spot to install one. Be sure to request space to store wine, drawers for cocktail napkins and bottle openers, and adjustable shelves behind clear or frosted glass to fit liquor of all shapes and sizes.
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Wall bed
A party house with extra bedrooms is a bonus for overnight guests, but sometimes you can’t devote an entire room to a single purpose. The solution: a pull-down Murphy bed that gives homeowners the ability to make the space multifunctional. A wall bed offers a sleep spot, as well as added shelves and drawers that can be built in to the design.