Everyone knows the best parties always end up in the kitchen. Whether it’s hosting a large family get-together or just having light cocktails with friends, a little planning and attention to detail and your kitchen can become the perfect spot for entertaining.

The days when entertaining meant ushering guests from the living room to the dining area as the busy cook bustled around in the kitchen are long gone. Today’s kitchens are more open, walls between rooms have come down and guests join the hosts as they prepare the meal. The kitchen island serves as center stage. The appliances and prep area acts as an attractive and inviting backdrop. The kitchen is as much a part of the party as the people in it.

Many homeowners choose to have two or even three work areas so that food preparation can happen in different zones. This works well for busy family life, and is a big plus when entertaining as well. Better still, consider varying countertop heights which allow the host to sit and chat as they continues food preparation.

If you like to have sit-down meals with guests then a butler’s pantry near the dining table is a must. A great place to store table linens, silverware and serving dishes, this area also works well as a bar for drink preparation.

Time-saving gadgets and good storage options give the work area an easy efficiency. An appliance garage keeps the countertops clear of clutter. Deep roll-out drawers keep large bowls and pots in handy reach — no having to get down on hands and knees searching for something in the back of the cupboard.

Small tilt-out trays at the sink area keep pot scrubbers and other cleaners out of view.

The modern host has an array of great products to help make entertaining easier. Items such as super-quiet dishwashers that allow clean-up to continue even as guests start to arrive. Other options include dishwasher drawers that can run through smaller loads as you go and warming drawers so you can warm dishes and keep hot foods ready to serve.

Great lighting will make a huge difference to the atmosphere of the room. Pendant lights over the island, pot lights for the task area and dimmer switches for main fixtures will ensure lighting where you need it and lots of ambiance everywhere else.

A recent trend toward adding furniture pieces, such as a hutch or armoire, makes kitchens both more functional, as well as more visually appealing. Other furnishings, such as a bench or loveseat, add personal style and comfort — as well as extra seating.

To create a cozy conversation spot for entertaining consider a glass riser mounted on a granite-topped island. Add some tall chairs or stools and the space feels like a café or wine bar.

Lively colors will make the room really inviting. Marine blue mixed with yellow, orange and red will create a lively space people will want to spend time in.

Just a few changes and your kitchen will be the life of the party!