HGTV's Property Brothers Showcase The Essentials For Entertaining In A Modern Space

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Between their personal life and their professional endeavors, the Property Brothers are masters at optimizing interiors for entertaining. If you love to host gatherings with friends and family, it might be time to upgrade your space with some key elements. Jonathan and Drew Scott have completed several renovations with entertaining as the primary priority. From high-tech upgrades to reconfigured floor plans, there are several ways you can use their projects as inspiration to transform your space.

No matter if you love indoor or outdoor soirees, there's no time like the present to make your home more welcoming. Whether you're prepping for a garden party, a holiday get-together, or a formal dinner, these tips will take your living space to the next level. Take a cue from Drew and Jonathan Scott and use their successful home makeovers as the ultimate source of inspiration. These are the clever design tricks that the Property Brothers swear by for entertaining in a modern space.

In Season 14, Episode 4, of "Property Brothers," the bi-fold doors were actually suggested by the client. His wife told Jonathan and Drew that adding bifold doors that connected the kitchen to the patio was the only feature he cared about in the entire home. Drew enthusiastically agreed, stating, "This would be a gorgeous kitchen. It would feel twice the size!" The duo delivered on their promise to fulfill his indoor-outdoor wish and added a stunning set of bifold doors along the kitchen wall.

Bi-fold doors are also known as folding sliding doors and allow you to open the entire wall for easy access to the outside. This is the perfect solution for maximizing natural light when the weather is poor or creating a larger entertaining space when the sun is out. However, you can also use bi-fold doors to separate interior areas. This will create privacy during the day and allow you to join two rooms when you need more entertaining space. These Jujubon Bifold Lite Tempered Frosted Doors are a modern interior option.

In the same episode of "Property Brothers," the brothers and the homeowners agreed that an oversized kitchen island was essential for their frequent entertaining. Although their kitchen was relatively compact, the large island was a priority, and for good reason. Upon the reveal, the homeowner said, "This is a great size island. It's perfect for entertaining." Jonathan responded, "Plus, you have all the stools on the back side of the breakfast bar."

When it comes to choosing the best contemporary kitchen island for your space, proportion is key. There should be at least 36 to 48 inches of space around the island to allow for easy flow and foot traffic. If you have a compact space, kitchen islands can be as small as needed for proper flow, and oversized kitchens can benefit from custom sizing. For the surface of your kitchen island, you can choose butcher block for a rustic workspace or quartz for an ultra-durable, modern alternative. If you already have a kitchen island and still feel like you need more surface space, take a look at double kitchen islands and whether they are worth installing.

On the Property Brothers' joint YouTube channel, Jonathan gave fans a tour of their parents' home, which he and Drew designed together. He emphasized that his parents love hosting friends and family, which meant both indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces were essential. Outside, he highlighted a modern pergola, explaining, "We actually installed a corrugated tinted material that's a UV protection shield. So, even when the sun's right above, you don't get any of those harsh rays coming down.[...] If there's any moisture, whether it's in the morning or if it's raining, it all just runs right off the side." These features ensured that their parents could entertain in any kind of weather.

Outdoor entertaining doesn't have to be reserved for perfect blue sky afternoons. Even if you live in an unpredictable climate, you can still design a functional outdoor space. There are several entertaining essentials that are a must for your outdoor space, but shelter is one of the most overlooked necessities. Depending on your needs, you can choose between gazebos, pavilions, or pergolas. Gazebos are freestanding and usually rounded and ornate in their structure, which are ideal features if you want to create a space separate from your main patio. Pavilions and pergolas can be attached to the side of your house to create an outdoor extension, but pavilions tend to have a solid roof, whereas the tops of pergolas are slatted. 

On the inside of their parents' home, the living room was an essential space for welcoming guests. Not only did the duo focus on the design, but their furniture choice was equally important. Their mother highlighted a few key pieces, explaining, "We entertain a lot so we wanted to have bigger sofas. And, accordingly, we had to have a bigger table to go with it." If you are a frequent host, make sure your living space is filled with furniture that is actually functional, comfortable, and appropriately sized.

There is a fine line between a sofa that is large enough for hosting and one that is too large for your space. To find out the largest size your living room can accommodate, decide what wall you want to anchor it on, and measure at least 18" of space on each side. If your space is on the smaller side, there are several modern alternatives to traditional living room seating. Consider flexible ideas like ottomans, benches, and modular sofas that can be reconfigured depending on the occasion. For example, you can purchase several Belffin Modular Sofa Pieces and arrange them accordingly.

Speaking of furniture, Jonathan pointed out one key element for a successful entertaining space: versatility. In his own home, which he shares with Zooey Deschanel, he designed an expansive solarium to host gatherings of all sizes. On the Drew & Jonathan YouTube channel, he explained that the flexibility of the space is the most important part. Jonathan said, "We actually have different setups for this space that are pretty easy to mix in and mix out. So, one of our setups is just a couple of sofas facing each other for lounging. We have a setup so we can do a dinner party here tonight. So, you know, depending on what we want to use the space for...super easy just to mix it around."

This is further proof that adaptable furniture and a flexible layout are two key elements for a successful, modern entertaining space. A dining table with removable leaves can expand for a large dinner party and then shrink back down for everyday use. This Transformer Expandable Dining Table is a popular option. Folding or stackable chairs can also be brought out when extra seating is needed, while a rolling bar cart can be stationed near the action or tucked into a corner between events. These kinds of easily portable pieces make it easy to reconfigure the space without sacrificing style or comfort.

In another clip from Jonathan's own home tour, he showed off the family room. He told viewers that this is the room where they spend the most time entertaining on the inside of the house. A fan asked the question, "How do you make a big, open space still feel warm and inviting?" He answered, "I usually use an area rug to anchor a large space. [...] It adds a little bit of color, a little bit of warmth. They're very cushy and comfortable. But that's a great way to anchor all of the furniture."

It's important to have a space large enough to accommodate all of your guests, but this can come with design challenges. Expansive areas can feel cold and unwelcoming if they aren't decorated properly. This is why an area rug is absolutely essential. There are some steps you shouldn't skip when choosing an area rug, according to home design experts, including pinpointing the right size and color. To take the coziness a step further, you can pair your area rug with surrounding textiles for cohesion and comfort. For example, curtains in a similar palette can help frame the space and connect the rug to the rest of the room. Adding upholstered ottomans or poufs can echo the rug's texture, while smaller textile touches such as woven baskets, tapestries, or textured table runners can make a large room feel more intimate.

When it comes to curating a contemporary home for entertaining, Jonathan reminds homeowners not to forget the booze. One of the most beloved areas in his home is the modern, state-of-the-art wine rack in the dining room. It strikes the perfect balance between classic elegance and contemporary technology. He said: "We want to host our friends and our family over, have some dinner parties. We are wine drinkers, so we've actually custom-built our very own wine cabinet. [...] We've got all the different compartments for storing the wine: lying flat, standing up, we've got the gothic arch incorporated in there as well."

Jonathan went with a custom rack from Heritage Vine. However, you don't have to go all-out on a personalized wine wall to get the same effect. For a large yet affordable option, consider this Dawselod Large Wine Rack with LED Light. If you prefer a minimalist option, consider a wine rack with a floating appearance like the Xympo Wall Mounted Wine Rack. However, if you want to get crafty and save big, these are the most creative ways to DIY your own stylish wine rack.

Last but not least, we're bringing it back to Season 14, Episode 4, of "Property Brothers." Above all else, an open floor plan is a must if you love to entertain. A seamless flow from the kitchen into the living and dining spaces creates a more communal energy. This was a priority from day one with this renovation, and the homeowners were thrilled with the results. Drew said, "I can already picture you hosting some family gatherings. You've got lots of space here." The homeowner exclaimed, "It's so open!"

There has been some debate recently about whether open floor plans are ideal. However, there are several reasons why you won't regret your open floor plan. You can also optimize your setup through several techniques. Try using the same flooring throughout your kitchen, dining, and living rooms to create visual cohesion. While you want your space to flow, you can use lighting to create different moods in the different areas. If you can't tear down walls to create an open floor plan, consider enlarging existing openings like doorways for a more seamless, open look.