Hosts can attest: You can have the most comfortable living room sofa on the market or a cozy TV room begging for company, and guests will still gather in the kitchen. It’s where the food gets prepped, where the drinks are poured, and naturally, where friends and family tend to commune during a party.

In other words, your kitchen has a lot of eyes on it, and therefore tends to elicit a lot of opinions — expressed or otherwise. What does your cook space say about you, and what do guests actually notice about a kitchen when paying a visit?

“I’d say that cleanliness and scent are definitely the number-one thing that guests notice when hanging out in a kitchen,” says Heather Goerzen, interior designer and Director of Design and Content at Havenly. “From dirty dishes in the sink to overflowing trash bins, a lack of cleanliness is disconcerting and will definitely elicit a glance or two from visitors.”

Ahead, see what else guests tend to notice about kitchens, according to the Heather and the Havenly interior design team.

2. Color palette

From dark and moody to light, bright, and airy, color always elicits an emotional reaction — especially in traditionally utilitarian spaces like kitchens. If you have a kitchen that leans far one way or the other — like a navy blue cook space with lamp lighting, for example — you’ll likely get a (positive) comment or two.

3. Greenery & decorative accents

Traditionally speaking, kitchens aren’t considered decorative spaces and aren’t typically remembered for their tchotchkes. But in the last five years or so, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction — table lamps, books, artwork, vases, candle sticks, and beyond are all fair game when decorating a kitchen. So if your cook space has “unique” decor typically reserved for living spaces, your guests will likely notice.

4. Countertop material

Countertops (among other design elements) are what tend to tie a kitchen to a specific era— marble or quartz dates it to the last five to 10 years, granite feels distinctly early-2000s, laminate screams 1990s, and tiled countertops go as far back as the 1920s and ’30s. Your design-minded friends will likely notice your countertop material almost instantly — and will probably gush if it’s new Carrara marble (swoon).

5. Open shelving vs. upper cabinetry

Similarly, open shelving signals a newer, more modern kitchen — especially when paired with a custom hood and the aforementioned marble countertops — while upper cabinetry leans more traditional and dated. These design choices speak to personal style, design prowess, and even budget — all of which people tend to take note of, according to our design team.

Want expert advice on your own space, straight from an interior designer? Get started today with our style quiz.