5 Things You Need In Your Home To Host Thanksgiving

A new Realtor.com poll has revealed the top features that make a home ideal for hosting Thanksgiving, and the theme is clear: space matters. As families gather for one of the biggest meals of the year, the right layout can make all the difference between a relaxed holiday and total chaos.

The number-one requirement is a big kitchen, with 92% of respondents saying it would make them more willing to host. That’s no surprise; prepping a turkey, multiple sides, and all the desserts requires room to move, plus counter space for every casserole dish in the family.

Tied for first place, also at 92%, is a large living room. After the meal, guests need a place to spread out, watch football, digest in peace, or argue about whether the stuffing was too dry. A cramped living room simply can’t handle the holiday traffic.

Third on the list is a big dining room, which remains important even for hosts who improvise with folding tables, kitchen islands, or makeshift seating. Fourth is an extra bathroom, a necessity when hosting a crowd, since relying on just one almost guarantees frustration.

In fifth place is outdoor space, whether it’s used to corral energetic kids, give guests a breather, or provide a little bonus room when the house gets too loud.

Just missing the top five: an extra bedroom. Meanwhile, the coveted double oven only ranked seventh, proving that square footage beats fancy appliances for most holiday hosts.

Overall, half of the people currently looking to buy a home say the ability to host big gatherings like Thanksgiving plays a significant role in their decision, because nothing tests a floor plan like a house full of hungry relatives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Doug O’Brien