New Home Trends - Formal Dining Rooms
Are Formal Dining Rooms here to stay, or on their way out?
Have formal dining rooms come to the end of their life span?
Here are some reasons why you may be seeing fewer formal dining rooms in new homes you've been touring.
- Smaller Homes
Today's new home is smaller for the first time in many years. In a smaller home, space must be used in the best way possible.
- Informal Living
Homebuyers are asking for more family-oriented space, and open floor plans.
- Breakfast Nook and Dining Combined
Breakfast nooks tend to be small - hence the term nook. This space is being enlarged to fit full size dining tables and chairs.
*Floorplan copyright Stanton Homes
If there's no formal dining room, what else might you see in your new home?
- First floor office
In the
Brogan,
the space normally reserved for a formal dining room was transformed into a first floor office with French doors.
This space off the foyer is perfect for anyone working from home who needs
to meet occassionally with clients or associates.
- First floor guest suite
Reallocation of limited square footage by eliminating a formal
dining room can make room for a great first floor guest suite.
- Exercise room or play room
A room can be dedicated to a specific use, not always possible in smaller homes with formal dining rooms.
So should I absolutely eliminate a formal dining room in my new home?
Before you decide, consider a few points.
 - Entertaining
Are you more of a traditionalist, with formal dining for dinner and casual breakfast seating? Does your dining furniture include a full china cabinet and large captain chairs?
- Resale
Will having a formal dining room help with the future resale of your home? Speak to local real estate agents and get a second opinion.
- Elegant Entries and Decorative Touches
A formal dining room right off the entry of your home can really set the tone, and is often the most "dressed up" room in your home.
During our design/build process, we are seeing more trends towards elimination of formal dining, but only as part of a holistic approach towards open, family-oriented living. Larger homes tend to retain formal dining spaces more often than smaller homes. We'll help you find (or design) just the right layout for your living style in your new Raleigh home.
Custom Building a Home in the Raleigh Area
As a Raleigh custom home builder, we have a unique perspective on the home building process, and are happy to
share our expertise.
No matter who you choose to build your new home, we suggest that you make sure to walk through similar homes by that
builder, or have your builder's representative point out any optional features in a model home that you have
chosen not to include in your new home.
Check out our series on building a custom home in the Raleigh area, and good luck with your new home!
Tub Surround Tile Ideas - Photos and Tips
Top 5 Ways to Save Money - Family Room
Built in Bookcases - Ideas and Trends
Building a Green Home - Top Requested Features
Easy Guide to Buying a Lot - Raleigh Area
Bayer MaterialScience - Find Out About Guaranteed Savings
|