|
|
As I go about my everyday
wanderings throughout my home I can’t help but notice how little my formal
dining room is used for its intended purpose. Instead it seems to be used
more as a temporary storage area for school books, and folded laundry that
is destined for the upstairs bedrooms.
Over the years I have questioned
whether or not it was my lack of social skills that have led to infrequent
formal dinners with guests, or was I just like the average American today
who didn’t have the time for them.
|
| As time has passed, I have come to the conclusion that the
latter was more the case. And I have proof! As I watch today’s various
home shows on television about selling homes or building homes, I can’t help
but notice the complete lack of discussion on the need for formal dining
rooms. Instead the needs and lexicon for modern homeowners now includes
media rooms, home offices, and man rooms. Yes, man rooms. |
 |
From what I can conclude
they are effectively home sports bars. Kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms are also
still important to today’s homeowners, but the need for a formal dining room has
appeared to have faded away into Americana.
|
|
One reason for the
dining room becoming a relic of modern home culture is the change in lifestyle
of Americans. I heard a report recently that indicated that only 35% of families
say they gather regularly for dinner every evening. The rest grab quick snacks
or go out to restaurants per their individual family members’ schedules. This is
not surprising when you reflect on the after-school activities we have signed
our children up for. Today’s American family is constantly on the run and has
little time for being a total family unit, including at the dining room table.
|
To conclude, if you
are in the process of building a new custom home, think twice about your
lifestyle, as well as the lifestyles of future buyers of your home. Like me, you
may quickly come to the conclusion that an enlarged kitchen capable of
supporting your cooking and family eating habits, and social gatherings, maybe a
better alternative to a formal dining room. The space, that would have otherwise
been used for a dining room, may be better utilized, and have more resale value,
if it is instead used for a home office, media room, or dare I say, a man room.
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on custom home building from one of our prescreened and licensed custom home
builders. This process is free and there is no obligation to continue once you
receive your custom home building price estimate.
