December 19, 2023

9 Holiday Hosting Headaches Your Next Home Could Cure

home for the holidays, new home wish list, real estate search

Sometimes you don’t realize what you need until you need it. This may be especially true when it comes to your home. Hosting during the holidays can be hectic enough without having to worry about where to stash your fine china—or your houseguests. If your living spaces are giving off stressful vibes instead of festive ones, you may want to consider a new home in the new year.

Read on to learn about nine holiday hosting headaches your next home could cure.

Insufficient counter space. Nothing says “happy holidays” quite like multi-course meals and bountiful baked goods. But if you’re short on counter space, prepping and cooking for friends and family may feel more maddening than merry. A new home with ample counter space can help you take your holiday meals to the next level next year.
Inadequate cabinet/closet space. And let’s not overlook the importance of storage space during the holidays (and year-round!). Holiday decor can leave your home feeling cluttered, especially if you don’t have enough cabinets to house your everyday items or a coat closet for guests. New homes typically include plenty of storage to accommodate today’s lifestyles—and your next home could too!
Closed-off kitchen. Does the outdated design of your current abode prevent you from mingling with guests while preparing meals? Holiday hosts deserve to be part of the fun as well! A new home can provide the open, airy entertaining spaces you’re seeking in time for the next holiday season.
No formal dining area. While an eat-in kitchen may be desirable, there’s just something so alluring about having a dedicated space for dining during the holidays and on other special occasions. If your seasonal guests will be sitting shoulder-to-shoulder around a tiny table or even worse, having their holiday ham on the couch, perhaps a change of address is in order for next year’s festivities.
No outdoor living spaces. Sometimes you just want to take the party outside. Plus, features like a covered porch, patio and rooftop terrace can really increase your home’s overall entertaining space. Some new homes (including many from our Seasons™ Collection!) even have features like center-meet and multi-slide doors that bring the outside in. If your current residence is lacking outdoor living options, start your house hunt now and celebrate the season under the stars next year!
No guest room(s). Short on space to accommodate out-of-town guests this holiday season? Your choices may include adding a couple of air mattresses in the living room or sending your in-laws to the nearest hotel. Wouldn’t it be great if you had a dedicated guest room or a versatile space like a flex room, bonus room or loft for friends and family before the holidays come around again next year?
Continuous carpet. By no means are we anti-carpet, but hard-surface flooring may be easier to maintain in the high-traffic areas of your home. Living rooms, family rooms, great rooms and dining rooms tend to be hubs for entertaining, which often involves food and beverages that can potentially stain your rug. This could mean extra holiday scrubbing and vacuuming (or professional carpet cleaners), so you might want to opt for hard floors your next go-around.
Too few bathrooms. A lack of bathrooms isn’t a pleasant problem to have at any time, but it can be especially challenging when guests are gathering for the holidays. If the bathroom line wrapping around your home is detracting from your seasonal joy, you may want to look for a new residence with additional facilities.
Lack of kid-friendly space. Does your home have plenty of places for your youngest holiday houseguests to enjoy during their downtime? If not, maybe it’s time to upgrade! New homes are often built with lofts, bonus rooms, flex rooms, teen rooms and basement rec rooms, which can serve as playrooms, game rooms, home theaters, craft rooms and other spaces where kids of all ages can hang out.