Designing for Better Value: Dining Rooms
The formal dining room establishes the design style of the house. Though used only occasionally, it is often the most elegant and best furnished room in the house. It is a more private and serene space, separate from the work area and clutter in the kitchen. There is something romantic about sitting down in a room especially devoted to the dining experience. Even the simplest food looks special on your best china in a formal dining room.
Inside the kitchen there is usually a breakfast nook or a central counter for everyday meals. Although the formal dining is separate from the kitchen, it should be easily accessed from the kitchen. The passage to the dining may contain cabinets for serving dishes or glassware, known as the butler’s pantry.
A less formal alternative is to have the main common areas – living, dining, and kitchen – all combined into one large space. Guests feel close to the core of the home, and can participate in cooking or mill around the dining and living area. This is a fun, open style that draws people together to cook, eat and visit. A successful sequence is to have the spaces move from the most protected to the most outdoor – from the kitchen, to dining, to living, to porch, etc.
Dining areas are most successful when they have natural light from windows or doors. Natural light makes food more appetizing. Dimmers to soften interior lighting at night are a good idea. The trend has moved away from using carpet in dining areas – giving the room a stuffy, impractical feel. Hard surface flooring is more inviting and easier to clean. There are lots of creative ways to personalize a formal dining room to make the space feel safe and comfortable. Consider using a formal table with mix and match chairs, modern placemats, bright colors, eclectic candle holders, lamp lighting and lots of big windows.
Regardless of its location, the dining area should have enough space for a good sized table and at least one additional piece of furniture. The dining area is a core space in the house. How this space is configured, either as a separate room or a part of the living area, depends on the style of your home, degree of formality and your personal preference.
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