THE HOME MADE FOR ENTERTAINING: HOW HIGH-END LIVING SPACES ARE EVOLVING IN TICINO

31/08/2026

The way we choose and experience our homes evolves alongside our lifestyles. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on wellbeing, privacy and flexible spaces that can adapt to work, family life and leisure. Alongside these needs, another — more traditional — desire is making a strong comeback: the idea of the home as a place for gathering and entertaining.

Hosting friends, organising a dinner, spending an afternoon in the garden or welcoming guests for a few days requires a different approach to space. It does not necessarily mean having a larger home, but rather having rooms designed to be enjoyed naturally, able to transition seamlessly from everyday family life to social occasions without compromising comfort or privacy.

This trend is particularly evident in the high-end real estate segment, where the very concept of residential quality is gradually evolving. While generous proportions, prestigious materials and a sense of exclusivity once defined the most desirable properties, today value is increasingly linked to the experience a home is able to provide.

In Ticino, this evolution finds an especially favourable setting. The climate, the relationship with the lake and surrounding nature, and a culture of living that places great emphasis on the quality of spaces make it possible to enjoy social life both indoors and outdoors for much of the year. The home becomes a place to share: not simply to showcase, but above all to live in.

From the living room to the kitchen: spaces are becoming more open and sociable

One of the most noticeable changes concerns the living area. In contemporary high-end homes, the living room, kitchen and dining area increasingly interact with one another, creating generous, fluid spaces where different functions coexist without necessarily being separated.

The kitchen, in particular, has taken on an entirely new role. Once primarily a functional space, it has become one of the focal points of the home. Large islands, generous worktops, refined materials and integrated solutions make it possible to cook without being separated from guests, turning the preparation of a meal into part of the social experience itself. In many high-end properties, the kitchen has therefore become one of the home's most representative spaces, designed as much for everyday living as for entertaining.

The same applies to the living room. Floor-to-ceiling windows, visual continuity between indoors and outdoors, and the ability to open living areas onto terraces and gardens create a sense of space that extends far beyond the property's internal footprint. Quality does not necessarily come from having exceptionally large rooms, but from architecture that creates a natural flow between different spaces and moments of the day.

The most sought-after properties may also include areas dedicated to specific experiences: a wine cellar designed for tastings, a home cinema, a library, a wellness area or a more informal space in which to spend an evening with friends. A guest bedroom, perhaps with its own bathroom and sufficient separation from the main sleeping area, can also become an important feature. After all, good hosting means being able to share your home while maintaining privacy and independence for both hosts and guests.

This balance is precisely what defines many of today's finest homes: open spaces when it is time to be together, and more private areas when tranquillity is needed.

From terrace to garden: when entertaining moves outdoors

If there is one feature that particularly distinguishes the Ticino lifestyle, it is the possibility of moving a significant part of everyday life outdoors. During spring and summer, and often on milder days throughout the shoulder seasons, terraces and gardens become genuine extensions of the home.

In a villa, the garden can become a carefully designed environment incorporating a dining area, an outdoor lounge, a swimming pool and more secluded spaces dedicated to relaxation. In apartments and penthouses, a large terrace can serve much the same purpose, particularly when it benefits from good exposure and open views of the lake or surrounding landscape.

The growing focus on outdoor living is also leading to greater sophistication in the design of these spaces. Bioclimatic pergolas, outdoor kitchens, carefully planned lighting, durable yet refined furnishings and systems offering protection from the sun or cooler temperatures make it possible to enjoy outdoor areas for increasingly long periods throughout the year.

In the Lugano area, this takes on a very particular significance. Dinner on a terrace overlooking Lake Lugano, lunch in a garden surrounded by greenery or an evening by the pool are not simply picturesque details, but a tangible way of experiencing both the home and its surroundings.

This is also why genuinely liveable terraces, thoughtfully designed gardens and a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors have become particularly desirable features in high-end properties. A spectacular view naturally retains its appeal, but today's buyers also consider how effectively a space can actually be used. A terrace should have enough room for a dining table, a lounge area and perhaps some greenery; a garden should be attractive but also functional; a swimming pool should integrate naturally with the rest of the property.

The value of a high-end home is therefore becoming less abstract and increasingly connected to how its spaces can genuinely be enjoyed.

High-end living is increasingly about the experience

This evolution reflects a broader change taking place across the premium property market. The most desirable homes are not necessarily those with the greatest number of spectacular features, but those where architecture, location and layout come together to create a coherent living experience.

For a family, this may mean having a large living area where everyone can spend time together, while still providing independent spaces for children and guests. For an entrepreneur or international professional, it may mean being able to host a dinner or an informal gathering at home while maintaining a clear separation from more private areas. For someone choosing Ticino as a second-home destination, it may mean having a property designed to welcome friends and family during time spent by the lake.

These different needs are influencing both new developments and the renovation of existing properties. Opening up a kitchen towards the living room, improving access to a terrace, redesigning a garden or creating a dedicated guest suite can significantly change the way a property is experienced and, in some cases, enhance its appeal on the market.

In Lugano and Ticino's main residential areas, villas with gardens, penthouses with generous terraces and apartments featuring bright, open-plan living areas are particularly successful expressions of this new approach to residential design. Buyers are no longer simply looking for more square metres, but for a home that can adapt to different moments: everyday life, work, relaxation and entertaining.

Understanding these changes is also important when considering a purchase. A floor plan alone tells only part of a property's story. It is equally important to imagine how the spaces will be used, how they connect with one another and how effectively they respond to the lifestyle of the people who will live there.

MDA Group Real Estate supports buyers and investors in selecting quality properties in Ticino, considering not only location, features and property value, but also the ability of each home to respond to the evolving demands of contemporary living.

Because a high-end home is not simply a beautiful space to look at. It is a place designed for everyday life, personal wellbeing and the pleasure of sharing time with the people who matter.