Best Home Features for Entertaining (Inspired by the Latest Season of With Love, Meghan)
The latest season of With Love, Meghan offers a refreshing look at modern hosting. The spaces feel warm, effortless, and intentional, never overproduced, never stiff… even though we know they’re on a set built inside a beautiful Montecito home that most of us could only dream of visiting, let alone living in. However, in our imaginary Meghan Markle-world, everything at home serves a purpose: gathering, conversation, and comfort.
That same philosophy mirrors what today’s buyers want when searching for Pittsburgh luxury homes. They’re no longer chasing formal layouts or flashy upgrades. Instead, they want homes that make hosting easier, more social, and more enjoyable.
The best home features for entertaining include open floor plans, large kitchens, flexible living spaces, and indoor-outdoor flow that make hosting easy and social.
Homes that work well for entertaining allow people to move comfortably, gather naturally, and enjoy shared spaces without feeling cramped or disconnected. It’s about flow, not flash.
At the Fraser Team, we help buyers find homes with these high-demand features and help sellers highlight them to attract serious Pittsburgh buyers.
Entertaining-friendly homes are designed to work with people instead of against them. When rooms connect easily and layouts feel intuitive, hosting feels effortless instead of stressful.
Open Concept Layouts That Keep Everyone Connected
One of the most requested features in today’s market is open concept homes for entertaining. Buyers want kitchens that flow into living rooms, dining spaces that connect naturally, and layouts that keep hosts part of the conversation.
In Pittsburgh luxury homes, open layouts consistently attract stronger showing activity. These designs make homes feel brighter, larger, and more social; three qualities that heavily influence buyer decisions.
Open concept spaces also allow gatherings to grow organically, making them ideal for both everyday living and hosting guests. In Episode 2, when Meghan hosts for Chrissy Teigen, the open concept home allows for guests who didn’t plan to be filmed to drop by… including John Legend! It’s a perfect example of how the right layout creates space for spontaneity, something today’s buyers actively look for when choosing a home.
Kitchens That Function as Social Hubs
If there’s one room that defines entertaining, it’s the kitchen. In With Love, Meghan, the kitchen isn’t just a workspace, it’s the center of connection.
Luxury home features buyers want increasingly include oversized islands, walk-in pantries, beverage stations, double ovens, and open shelving. These upgrades allow multiple people to gather comfortably without crowding the space. In Episode 3, “Easy as Pie,” style icon Tan France talks about how he spends every morning in the kitchen making french toast for his family, and how that togetherness every morning always starts their day off with joy.
During showings, buyers consistently spend the most time in kitchens. When they can picture friends leaning against the island with a drink while dinner finishes, emotional connection happens fast.
Dining Spaces That Feel Flexible, Not Formal
Formal dining rooms are becoming less important than adaptable dining spaces. Buyers now prefer dining areas that flow naturally from kitchens and living rooms. In Episode 5, “Spice up Your Life,” Meghan is joined by mindfulness podcaster Jay Shetty and author Radhi Devlukia, where they talk about being present — all while eating casually at the kitchen island instead of sitting at a formal table. It’s a small moment that reflects a bigger shift: buyers want dining spaces that support real life, not rigid routines.
Homes with flexible dining layouts appeal to a broader audience because they support casual meals, family dinners, and larger gatherings. This adaptability is a major selling point in Pittsburgh luxury homes, where lifestyle functionality drives purchasing decisions.
Living Rooms Built for Conversation, Plus Indoor-to-Outdoor Flow
Great entertaining spaces aren’t defined by size alone. They’re defined by how people interact within them. Buyers gravitate toward living areas that encourage conversation, offer multiple seating zones, and feel comfortable instead of overwhelming. Soft lighting, thoughtful furniture placement, and layered textures all contribute to spaces where guests naturally settle in.
In Meghan Markle’s Christmas special, which isn’t part of Season 2 but is a must-watch for fans of the original series, this idea plays out in a very real way. After spending time cooking together in the kitchen, the group naturally moves outside to a firepit area to try the homemade marshmallows and graham crackers they made. Nothing feels forced, the space simply supports the moment.
That kind of indoor-to-outdoor flow is exactly what today’s buyers look for. Homes that allow gatherings to move easily from the living room to the backyard create experiences instead of isolated rooms, which is why these features continue to stand out in luxury home searches.
Sliding doors, patios, covered porches, and backyard access allow gatherings to expand without losing intimacy.
Even with Pittsburgh’s seasonal weather, outdoor entertaining areas increase perceived value and buyer interest. Homes that connect interior spaces with outdoor living areas often feel more versatile and lifestyle-driven.
This is why outdoor features continue to influence pricing and buyer demand across the market.
Subtle Details That Elevate Hosting
Modern luxury shows up in restraint. Luxury home features buyers want today include built-in beverage stations, integrated lighting, cohesive finishes, and smart storage solutions that create homes that feel polished without being flashy. These subtle upgrades play a major role in shaping the overall hosting experience and buyer perception.
In Season 2 of With Love, Meghan, this attention to detail appears in the way she hosts. When Jay Shetty and Radhi Devlukia visit, Meghan prepares a mocktail instead of a cocktail; it’s a small gesture, but it reflects the same mindset behind the best home features for entertaining. Regardless of drink preference, all her friends deserve a cute, fun drink to start a night with, just like buyers deserve a home that feels intentional and welcoming.
That same hosting philosophy shows up again in Meghan Markle’s Christmas special, where she creates creative gift wrapping so every present feels special from the moment it’s received to the moment it’s opened. In real estate, buyers respond to this same concept. Homes that feel thoughtfully designed, from entryway to entertaining spaces, stand out more in competitive markets like Pittsburgh luxury homes.
At the Fraser Team, we highlight these subtle but impactful features in listing marketing across platforms like Instagram and TikTok so buyers understand not just what a home looks like, but how it functions for entertaining and everyday living.
Why These Features Matter When Buying or Selling
Buyers often ask what makes a home good for entertaining because they want spaces that support their lifestyle. Sellers ask the same question because showcasing the right features can directly impact demand.
Homes with open concept homes for entertaining, social kitchens, flexible living areas, and usable outdoor spaces consistently perform better in competitive markets. These features create emotional connection, which leads to faster decisions and stronger offers.
FAQS
What are the best home features for entertaining?
The best home features for entertaining include open layouts, large kitchens, flexible dining spaces, and strong indoor-outdoor flow. These elements make hosting easier and more social.
Do open concept homes sell faster in Pittsburgh?
Yes. Open concept homes for entertaining often attract more buyer interest and stronger offers because they match modern lifestyle preferences and make homes feel larger and brighter.
Does outdoor space increase home value?
Yes, usable outdoor space can increase home value and return on investment when it adds functional living area and improves buyer demand. Features like finished patios, composite decks, covered outdoor entertaining areas, and fenced yards are considered luxury home features buyers want because they expand usable square footage without the cost of interior renovations. In competitive markets like Pittsburgh, and in luxury homes, well-designed outdoor spaces often lead to faster sales and stronger offers, making them one of the best home features for entertaining that also deliver real resale value.
Should sellers highlight entertaining features when listing?
Absolutely. Highlighting entertaining features helps buyers emotionally connect to the home and imagine hosting there, which can lead to faster sales and better offers.
Final Thoughts
The latest season of With Love, Meghan reminds us that the most aspirational homes aren’t the loudest ones. They’re the ones that feel welcoming, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed for connection.
The best home features for entertaining aren’t about trends. They’re about flow, function, and creating spaces where people want to gather.
Whether you’re searching for a home designed to host or preparing to sell one that already offers these features, the Fraser Team knows how to position your property to attract serious Pittsburgh buyers. Learn more about who we are and how we work, and explore our buyer and seller tools to get started on your next home journey.
And remember: real luxury isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence.
