By Courtney Pittman
Thanksgiving is around the corner which means it’s officially time to start party planning and meal prepping. With a holiday that is filled with food, food, and more food, chances are you’ll be spending a substantial amount of time in or around the kitchen. Many of today’s home plans offer open layouts that eliminate barriers between the kitchen and the main gathering room so you can interact with friends and family while you cook. These open floor plans and ultimate kitchens present perfect conditions for hosting friends and family during the holiday season.
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Gobble gobble! This farmhouse home design (plan23-2679) is ready for Thanksgiving. With an open layout between the living room, dining room, and kitchen this plan makes holiday entertaining a breeze. All the magic happens in the large island kitchen (which is conveniently connected to the dining room for easy access) and is the ideal gathering place for Thanksgiving. Tucked away to the right of the floor plan, the master suite is a dreamy oasis that features a sizable walk-in closet.
Need to stay organized during the holidays? A mudroom (just off the two-car garage) provides the perfect storage spot for coats and boots. If weather is nice, owners can opt to entertain on the generous covered porch at the rear of the home.
There is no shortage of room in this open kitchen (plan923-104). A large eating bar seats up to six (and opens to the great room), while plenty of counter space makes life easy for the chef of the home. Guests can warm up next to the cozy fireplace in the great room or gather on the screened covered porch (with exposed rafters and vaulted ceilings) if the weather is favorable.
With the master suite residing away from the other bedrooms, homeowners can easily escape to their own private oasis at the end of a long day. Two more bedrooms and a bath are located on the opposite end of this level. Upstairs, a large bedroom features a walk-in closet and private bath. A vaulted game room can work as an extra guest room or home office.
Sleek, spacious, and convenient, the kitchen is the heart of the home in plan 48-940. With a walk-in pantry and large island, Thanksgiving meal prepping can be smooth and painless. Opening to the vaulted outdoor living area, the dining room is an ideal space for entertaining friends and family. The large family room boasts a warm fireplace and built-ins (pictured above) for easy storage.
A first floor master suite invites relaxation and rest (and includes dual sinks, a soaking tub, corner shower, two walk-in closets, and access to a private patio). On the second level you will find two more bedrooms (each with walk-in closets) and a bath with two sinks.
This Craftsman house plan (plan901-138) has everything needed for a family cottage, empty nester retreat, or full time residence. A welcoming front porch brings you into the open kitchen, living, and dining areas (which open to a rear covered porch). Cooking a Thanksgiving feast is easy in the luxurious kitchen (pictured above), which is complete with a waterfall kitchen island (which can function as a prep space, snack counter, or a bar for serving up some tasty appetizers) and farmhouse sink.
The private master suite is conveniently located on the main floor. Upstairs, you will find two additional bedrooms, a bath, and an open loft area. A vaulted game room can be used as a home office, study, or craft room.
Plan 928-308 (pictured above) revives details of mid-century aesthetics with the timelessness of a country farmhouse – and we are here for it. The facade features playfully arranged design elements tucked under steeply pitched gables. Every inch of this home design exudes luxury and charm (just look at that screened porch!).
There is no shortage of room for people to work on their side dishes in this vast kitchen space (above). Opening to the dining area and living room, the kitchen (which features a huge pantry) makes it easy to serve up a yummy Thanksgiving meal when you’re finished cooking.
A generously-sized kitchen island (above) grabs your attention in this Craftsman house design (plan892-28). Dual ovens make life easy, while a buffet bar makes serving meals effortless. Cold outside? Friends and family can gather around the large stone fireplace for evening games in the open great room.
What we love: the extravagant master suite (featuring a spa-like master bath that opens to the rear terrace), mudroom, the extra-large bonus room on the second level, and the bunkroom (perfect for friends and family).
The open concept kitchen (above) in plan 901-132 is perfect for everyday entertaining and most importantly, a big Thanksgiving feast. With lots of counter space, a large island, and no shortage of cabinets, this kitchen is all about function and ease. Rather host Thanksgiving outside? Take the party outdoors to the rear covered porch instead. An open layout awaits you between the main living areas for added convenience.
Just under 45 feet wide, this upscale home design (plan930-481) can fit onto a narrow-ish lot. The open layout features a variety of elegant details, like a coffered ceiling treatment throughout the great room, kitchen, and dining area. All of these spaces flow out to the large veranda (through large sliding glass doors), where an outdoor kitchen invites casual entertaining during the holidays. The spacious kitchen features a large island that opens to the great room for easy conversation during meal prep.
The master suite is easy to reach on this level and treats owners to a spacious, private bathroom with a walk-in shower and freestanding tub (plus separate lavatories and double walk-in closets).
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