Love to host? Build a modern home that’s ideal for entertaining

Entertain people in style

You love to entertain guests — and naturally, you would like to have a home that is warm, inviting, and comfortable for hosting people in exactly the way that is best for you.

Whether you love to throw elegant cocktail parties, regularly invite a few people over for gourmet dinners, or host large soirees with many people, there are ways to build your modern homes into a space that is perfect for your entertainment style.

To plan your house as your ideal entertaining center, start off by asking yourself the following questions:

• How many people do I typically entertain?
• What rooms do I like being in with my guests?
• Do I prefer to be inside or outside?
• How do I typically serve foods?
• What do I usually do with my guests (i.e. eat gourmet dinners, drink cocktails, watch football, etc.)
• Do I usually cook myself or hire caterers?

By working with your modern home builder and carefully planning both your indoor and outdoor areas, you can create a fun space for entertaining year-round.

Build an industrial kitchen

Your kitchen is your main hub for entertainment. Plan the perfect layout with ample space for cooking, baking, and storage. Luxurious, high-quality amenities are key for leveraging your kitchen to make serving easy. You can include specialty features such as sleek restaurant-quality appliances, large pantries, warming drawers, double dishwashers, and point-of-service refrigeration for seamless serving. With these touches, it makes it easy to bring in a hired chef or caterer, making entertaining a treat for every one of your guests.

Be sure your kitchen also includes lots of counter space for kitchen prep, food layout, and drinks. Integrate a large bar area with barstools – since kitchens are where people tend to congregate, this arrangement keeps guests comfortable (while keeping them out of the chef’s way!).

A great room with ample space

When building your home with entertaining in mind, be sure to prioritize your great room in the design process. A large, open area with expansive windows and a fireplace is inviting and comfortable. You can plan the lighting to set the right mood – consider various options such as recessed lighting, pin lights, and track lights.

Carefully consider the flow between the dining area and kitchen from your central seating areas, as well as how you will furnish it. For example, if you regularly have one or two couples over for wine and cheese in front of the fireplace, you may want to choose larger, cushy furniture that is centrally positioned to maximize intimate conversations.

Create a luxury pool area

There’s nothing like a luxurious pool area that allows you and your guests to take full advantage of our beautiful Silicon Valley weather. There are almost endless options for features that can add drama and excitement to your pool – some of the most popular include laminar fountains with color-changing LED lights, waterfalls, slides, warm and hot pools, and vanishing edges.

An outdoor dining area is paramount for pool owners to regularly enjoy eating on the patio. Make sure you have an area large enough to include a dining table that accommodates your guests during outdoor parties. You can include a restaurant-worthy outdoor kitchen and bar so that everything for the gathering can be prepared poolside.

A game room that’s not just for kids

Consider building a game room to delight your guests – people of all ages will enjoy what you have to offer. You can build a game room in your home that includes classics such as billiards, ping-pong, and darts. Or, if you prefer gambling-type parties, you can incorporate a craps table, poker table, and/ or roulette as a center piece. Include a mix of seating such as couches and club chairs to give guests comfortable places to relax and talk. Installing a bar in your game or casino room will delight your guests. You can include a small fridge, bar sink, counter area with stools, and ample storage for choice liquors, glasses, and snacks.

Other additions to the room include a flat-screen TV, media streaming device, and integrated sound system. Work with an interior designer to make this room unforgettable – you could go with a vintage theme, Las Vegas style, or tie in to your modern home décor. Whatever your tastes, this room can be as fun as you want to make it.

Install a connoisseur’s wine room

Join one of the fastest-growing trends in home design: planning a dedicated space for your wine collection. Whether you have 250 bottles or more than 3,000, you can work with your builder to create an efficient space or a grand showroom.  And no matter the size, make sure your builder is experienced with wine cellars since your wine room must control humidity and temperature.

The ultimate touch is your wine storage and display setup. You can integrate stunning racks, shelving, and cabinets. While redwood is the traditional choice for classic wine cellars, the modern wine room can use a variety of hardwoods, as well as other materials such as stainless steel, brass, glass, and acrylic. Track lights, puck lights, back lighting, and LED strip lighting are all ways to light your wine room in interesting ways, without overly heating the area.

Let’s raise a toast to the hosts!

As you can see, by carefully planning your construction, your new home can be your ideal fit to entertain people the way that best suits your style. Creating your own space is the best way to fully enjoy your perfect high-performance home in beautiful Palo Alto.

Have fun creating a living environment that is a perfect space for you to enjoy your company and make sure your guests are comfortable.

Want to learn more about how Clarum can help you build the modern home of your dreams? Give us a call at 650.322.7069