Entertaining Trends for the Holidays and Beyond
After some time off, entertaining at home is back in full swing. Many consumers are expecting to entertain in their homes more often or much more often in the next year. And homeowners are looking to invest in their spaces to create an at-home entertainment experience. But what are they prioritizing when it comes to entertainment in their spaces?
Here are 3 elements to consider for your next project that will help take their hosting talents to the next level:
Healthy Cooking Methods
A focus on health and wellness has been on the rise in the last few years, with more growth expected to come. As it has been for several years, wellness continues to be a top priority, with homeowners increasingly searching for designs and products that promote good health and overall well-being. The holidays are one of the most challenging times of the year to stick to these goals, which is where purposeful kitchen design comes in.
Bringing health and wellness into the kitchen starts with food – and healthy cooking methods to prepare it. In fact, many homeowners want appliances with integrated cooking functions like air frying and steam cooking. The KitchenAid® 30-Inch 4-Element Induction Slide-In Convection Range with Air Fry has highly sought-after air fry mode built-in to crisp and brown food with less oil when compared to deep frying. It also has a steam bake function to provide additional moisture during baking and preserve essential nutrients in vegetables.
Beverage Centers
While food is an integral part of entertaining, a great host never forgets about the beverages. From smoothies and coffee to wine and espresso martinis, having the right drink pairing for the occasion can take it to the next level. Home bars are back this year, and many designers predict dedicated beverage centers will grow in popularity over the next year. But what exactly does a beverage center entail?
Beverage centers encompass a wide range of features, from coffee and tea service to water dispensers and storage for frozen goods like smoothies or shakes. Beautiful cabinetry is also a staple of this space and ties the area together by providing storage for glassware, bartender tools, and small appliances like blenders.
To store and chill key ingredients and drinks, entertainers need to rely on larger appliances, such as:
- The JennAir® RISE™ 24” Under Counter Glass Door Refrigerator blends seamlessly into cabinetry with its stealth flush design and has four temperature presets to perfectly chill refreshments.
- For the bartender, the Whirlpool® 15” Undercounter Wine Center with Towel Handle Bar is a great fit, storing up to 34 wine bottles with a stylish towel rack and LED lighting.
And don’t forget about cleanup!
The Whirlpool® Fingerprint Resistant Quiet Dishwasher with 3rd Rack & Large Capacity makes it simple with a 3rd rack that adds extra space for glassware, mugs, and utensils.
Extra Prep Space
As entertainers plan and prepare for gatherings and festive feasts, having ample room for slicing, dicing, marinating, and plating dishes becomes a necessity. One key feature that’s instrumental in adding additional prep space is a well-designed island. In fact, many designers identified large islands as a top priority for serving and dining. It not only provides a dedicated area for chopping, mixing, and assembling dishes but also creates a central hub for guests to gather around.
Appliance innovations like the KitchenAid® 29.4 Cu. Ft. 48” Built-In Side-by-Side Refrigerator with Ice and Water Dispenser can also be a huge help when it comes to prep. This premium 48” built-in refrigerator has a fingerprint-resistant finish on the outside, and innovative storage on the inside. The Under-Shelf Prep Zone is the perfect prep space, utilizing unused space for storing food prep or leftovers, marinating, chilling desserts, making focaccia, and more. Plus, the ExtendFresh™ Plus Temperature Management System helps keep ingredients fresh for longer.
For additional details about our appliance offerings, contact a sales rep today. Keep up with other trends and news in your industry by visiting The Trade Channel page.