Anonymous
02/05/2026 13:52
Subject: Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
My primary home has a dining room, while my second home does not. I would not change either if I had to start from scratch, but that's based on how we live and entertain in both.
When you go to sell, it might be an issue, so maybe figure out a way to make the library a flexible space so that it makes sense to be converted to a dining room if one so chooses.
When you go to sell, it might be an issue, so maybe figure out a way to make the library a flexible space so that it makes sense to be converted to a dining room if one so chooses.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 13:52
Subject: Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
Anonymous wrote:Wouldn’t buy a $3.5M house without a dining room.
Wouldn't buy a 3.5M house
Anonymous
02/05/2026 13:51
Subject: Re:Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
Different strokes for different folks. You'll always find a buyer.
I purposefully avoided houses with 3 or more eating areas when house hunting, which many of these high priced houses have because they have so much sq footage they are filling space.
In my life, I do not need a formal dining room plus a whole other large table off the kitchen (dining nook I guess) plus a bunch of island seating. Wasted space, for me. More furniture to buy and more space to sit unused.
I'd be fine with no formal dining room.
I purposefully avoided houses with 3 or more eating areas when house hunting, which many of these high priced houses have because they have so much sq footage they are filling space.
In my life, I do not need a formal dining room plus a whole other large table off the kitchen (dining nook I guess) plus a bunch of island seating. Wasted space, for me. More furniture to buy and more space to sit unused.
I'd be fine with no formal dining room.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 13:47
Subject: Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
Wouldn’t buy a $3.5M house without a dining room.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 12:16
Subject: Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
I hate open concept and prefer formal, even for every day and we don't host a lot.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 12:11
Subject: Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
That would be awful, but you do you. We yse the dining room daily.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 11:45
Subject: Re:Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
Anonymous wrote:Mistake. Doing rooms are making a comeback
In some design magazine?
In real life, people have never been trending further away from serving and hosting formal meals and formal spaces in their day to day life. For better or worse.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 11:37
Subject: Re:Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
Mistake. Doing rooms are making a comeback
Anonymous
02/05/2026 11:35
Subject: Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Absolutely. No problem to get rid of a formal dining area. Just make sure there's some dedicated dining area that can accommodate a table for ten.
I think that is the rub with this house. It just shows a dinette in the kitchen, not a big space for having people over for dinner.
What we did was have the kitchen, then an island that could be closed off if needed (we have never done this, but it looks great--open but doesn't have to be with 9' French doors and shutters that can close over the island) then a large dining area just beyond the kitchen, with pillars separating it from the great room and a sunroom beyond that. Basically, the only place to eat is in the one dining area. I had a table made to seat 10 in comfortable chairs and 12 in party chairs.
I am above poster and agree you have to have a space for a large table off the kitchen area if no formal dining room. We built this into our plan. I think seating for 8+ is fine.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 11:23
Subject: Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
Anonymous wrote:Absolutely. No problem to get rid of a formal dining area. Just make sure there's some dedicated dining area that can accommodate a table for ten.
I think that is the rub with this house. It just shows a dinette in the kitchen, not a big space for having people over for dinner.
What we did was have the kitchen, then an island that could be closed off if needed (we have never done this, but it looks great--open but doesn't have to be with 9' French doors and shutters that can close over the island) then a large dining area just beyond the kitchen, with pillars separating it from the great room and a sunroom beyond that. Basically, the only place to eat is in the one dining area. I had a table made to seat 10 in comfortable chairs and 12 in party chairs.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 11:21
Subject: Re:Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
We built new and didn't include a formal dining room. Wasted space for me and my family and we knew we'd be in the house 15+ years.
We do have a room someone could use as a dining room if they wanted but it's not a completely perfect set up. Would work though.
No regrets. If it hurts resale down the line, oh well.
We do have a room someone could use as a dining room if they wanted but it's not a completely perfect set up. Would work though.
No regrets. If it hurts resale down the line, oh well.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 11:16
Subject: Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
It looks like if someone really wanted a dining room, they could turn rework the study and study entrance into one. Install a doorway into the hallway making it easier to reach the kitchen. Not perfect, but could be done. But it seems most people don't use a formal dining room anymore.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 11:12
Subject: Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
Absolutely. No problem to get rid of a formal dining area. Just make sure there's some dedicated dining area that can accommodate a table for ten.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 11:11
Subject: Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
Can the library double as a dining room in case a future buyer wants to use it that way?
Anonymous
02/05/2026 11:10
Subject: Is it ok to build a new house without a formal dining area?
Just saw this new house in McLean listed at $3.695M that's already under contract, and it doesn't have a formal dining room on the main floor. The main floor includes a library and an in-law suite (essentially a main floor master bedroom) with a bathroom that has 5 features. I am planning to build a new house in McLean and debating whether to include a formal dining room. I haver enough space to fit a library, formal dining room and a bedroom. However, the bedroom's bathroom would only have 3 features. What do you think?
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7000-Tyndale-St-Mc-Lean-VA-22101/51755773_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7000-Tyndale-St-Mc-Lean-VA-22101/51755773_zpid/