Is the formal Dining Room a thing of the past?

The formal Dining Room, a separate closed off space where families gather a few times a year to eat and be together.

I have been in the design world for a while, and each consultation we’ve had comes with the daunting question of ‘should we keep the Dining Room?’ Homeowners seem conflicted, as they believe the formal dining room should remain in case they need it for large gatherings. However, it often only gets used for special occasions and seems like a waste of space for every other day of the year.

How many of us can relate?

Even if homeowners say they want a formal dining room, it is in fact the least used room in a home.

Truth is the Dining Room is not what it use to be, but the concept is not dead. However, there has been a shift. We still love to sit and eat together, throw parties, and enjoy food. That hasn’t changed. The Dining Room is just being used more casually.

Open concept living has been much more appealing to younger families, as they can watch their kids while prepping meals. There has also been a shift for the last decade in the way we entertain. The ‘open-concept kitchen’ was embraced with wide arms by a generational culture of being able to interact with their dinner guests, and getting them involved in the prep, as opposed to formally serving them.

In our latest Milton Bungalow project, this was one of the first discussions we had with our clients prior to creating the new floor plan. The home had an existing dining room, but the clients thought the space could be better utilized. They love to entertain, which meant they still required a space for large gatherings. As you can see in the floor plan, the solution was to create a home office in place of that existing Dining Room. To accommodate guests, we created a large island with lots of seating and an eating area that fits a large table. One other thing we incorporated into the space were corner barn doors that open into the den. This allows the two spaces to be open, and if they really required more eating space, another table could be added for the party.

The reality is that design is constantly changing. These changes are brought upon by lifestyle changes and shifts in ‘the norm’. We are living through one right now with the pandemic shifting our way of living without a doubt. With everyone being reacquainted with their homes, since we are spending more time in them, it has become relevant that spaces need to become more multi-functional in order to accommodate each family member’s needs throughout the day. Each room is really being analyzed for its functionality and practicality.

Don’t be afraid to convert your Dining Room, even if temporarily to accommodate your current needs. Here are a few ideas on what to do with an empty dining room.

Make a playroom/workroom for the kids

I have a friend with a home that has a formal Dining Room. She did put a table and hutch, however the space is not used for formal dinners. She has 3 kids under the age of 7, you can only image her daily routine. That space ended up becoming a work/craft room for the kids. A space to keep them occupied with crafts, or simply do their online schooling. For their family needs, it is a great use of space. And in case you are wondering, she has a large round table in her kitchen area to accommodate the guests.

Make an office

This is a big one with everything that has happened the past year. People were struggling to find space to work from home. Although it may not be completely private, if it is the only space in the house, it can work perfectly.

Create a Guest Bedroom

If that dining room just really doesn’t do it for you, you can close it off and create a guest bedroom. Or in some cases, elderly people have created a secondary bedroom if their original bedroom is on a second floor, making it more convenient.

In the end, you have to determine what works for you as a family. And that is exactly what we tell our clients. We can’t tell them, yes definitely get rid of your family room it’s ‘passe’. We work with them how to best utilize their space based on their needs. Ultimately it is their decision.