For quite a while, homeowners have wanted their dining rooms to be largely ornamental spaces that blended the functions of kitchens, living rooms, and traditional dining areas. Now, however, a major shift is occurring as the dining room reclaims it original purpose. Let’s explore what this resurgence of dedicated dining rooms says about the people who are dining there.
What does this shift say about the way we live?
The simplest way to characterize the change from the older to the still-emerging style of dining room design is as a shift from flexibility to function. According to the previous style of interior design, dining rooms were largely so in name only. Their expansive layouts and lack of clear boundaries allowed people, if they so wished, to eat in their kitchens or in their living rooms, often while sitting in front of their TVs.
Now, many have started denigrating this flexibility. Homeowners have recently begun making it clear that they want to live in spaces with firmly defined limits. This means that they want dining rooms that are both physically and psychologically distinct from the other parts of their homes. The psychological element is especially important because it allows the dining room to become a designated area where people gather to eat.
Changes in architecture and aesthetics
The architecture and aesthetics of new dining rooms tend to proudly display this shift from flexibility to function. Dining rooms now increasingly display distinguishing features, like coffered ceilings and wainscoting, and they may mix colors in unique and striking ways that other rooms do not. Bold wallpaper and paint are also making comebacks. Prominent archways and other clear boundary markers that separate dining rooms from other areas are also becoming essential.
It’s also becoming common to see increasingly ornate lighting fixtures in dining rooms. You might, for example, find prominent chandeliers that display complex designs and anchor the room with a distinct ambience.
Dining room furniture has also begun changing to reflect the shift. For instance, upholstered chairs have become much more important, indicating a change of emphasis in favor of comfort and suggesting that people now expect to remain in dining rooms for significant lengths of time. Finally, large tables are reclaiming their formerly dominant positions in dining rooms, showing that people are starting to care more about organizing intimate gatherings in their homes. In particular, round tables are becoming popular because they make conversation easy.
Why this is happening
So, what’s behind this sudden comeback? Most seem to lead back to the consequences of either COVID-19 or social media. Many believe that the pandemic did serious harm to social relationships, and they feel that creating designated spaces for close interaction may repair the damage. Also, as people become increasingly aware of the downsides of excessive social media use, they feel the need to establish formal occasions when they don’t use their phones.
Recent trends show that rooms with clearly defined purposes can make people feel grounded and comfortable. For more insight into evolving home design trends, visit our Facebook and Instagram pages. When you feel ready to reimagine your dining room, check out our Marketplace to connect with our experienced home design professionals.
