Long gone are the days of the formal dining room. You know… that one closed off room that Mom never let you put one footprint on the freshly vacuumed carpet, and it was used just a couple times a year for special occasions… yeah. That room.
While we’ve certainly seen a trend for large, open layouts, we’re now seeing a return to a more traditional dining room space. No… not “that room,” but rather one that’s semi-open and much more multipurpose.
The dining room has always been a gathering place to share special meals together with family and friends; however, this area of the home is quickly shifting to becoming a multifunctional spot. From being a place to eat family meals or gathering for family board game night, to an entertainment space for friends, or even a temporary office/school space, the family dining room serves a greater purpose than simply being a place to serve formal meals.
Check out these 5 dining room trends, showcasing this multipurpose dining room featuring Canadian Stone Industries’ Cultured Stone® veneer Used Brick accent wall. Love what you see? Print off the shopping list at the end of this blog and bring it in to your nearest Lyons Timber Mart where our Project Experts can help you Create This Look
#1 Emphasize Entertaining
Although 2020 may not have ushered in the most ideal situation for hosting, it has created an opportunity for people to take the time to invest in their home. You can bet that when social distancing measures are lifted, homeowners are going to want to show off their beautiful new home renovations!
When it’s safe to do so, consider rotating hosting dinner parties with a group of friends. When it’s your turn to host, your dining room will be the envy of all your friends.
The pandemic has ushered in a renewed sense of supporting local businesses, but even ordering take-out from your favourite local restaurant too often can put pressure on your budget. Support local without having to splurge on an expensive trip to the restaurant. Shop at local grocers and butchers to get local veggies and meats for a social night in.
#2 Jack of All Trades
Lately it seems any available countertop or table top is now a makeshift workstation either for working from home or for school homework. Dining rooms are now performing double–even triple!–duty.
Although your dining room should still be a place to sit and enjoy a meal together, it has also become the place we go to entertain guests, play family board games, or work from home. Adding cupboards to your dining room design creates a place to store board games, serving platters, etc. while the countertop provides extra space for your potluck dishes.
To Create This Look, check out our in-stock Cutler Kitchen & Bath cupboards, similar to this base cabinet from their Urban Collection. Go with a slab design for the cupboards to achieve the clean, flat look. Cutler’s cupboard doors feature a soft close design and a ¾ depth adjustable shelf in each cabinet… perfect for efficient storage. Cutler’s base cabinets are available in a range of widths from 24”–36”, so you know you’ll be able to find the cupboards you need to suit your space.
Since the countertop in your dining room won’t be exposed to a great deal of activity like those in your kitchen or bathroom, you’ll be safe to go with an affordable, quality high-pressure laminate countertop. We also like to support local, which is why we recommend Sims Countertops for your custom countertop orders.
Although you can order a modern flat-white laminate, we love this White Marble Herringbone design by Formica® Laminate for a subtle added touch of texture. Formica’s laminate countertops are wear and impact resistant, so you know it will be durable enough for your dining room functions.
#3 Forget Formal
Dining rooms are quickly becoming less and less formal in preference for more intimate areas where families can gather more
regularly. This is seeing a shift from open concept to semi-open spaces using architectural elements like archways and accent fireplace walls to help define the space without closing off the room entirely.
We love the warmth the fireplace adds to this accent wall in our Create This Look feature. Get a similar look with this Longitude24 12”x24” stone in Silent Grey from Eldorado Stone. Soft decor, like the cloth covered chairs and subtle natural flooring, help this room feel less formal.
#4 Mix & Match
There’s no need to ensure that all your furniture, decor, and room features need to match. In fact, mixing elements creates a fresh, almost laid back approach.
In this feature look, there’s a mix of wood flooring, stone and brick accent walls, plus a smooth modern countertop. Cultured Stone’s (available through Canadian Stone Industries) thin faux brick veneer authentically looks and feels like natural brick. It’s warm and charming texture puts a practical twist on a classic building material.
For natural looking flooring that’s affordable and durable, we like this luxury vinyl selection from Beaulieu Canada’s Rapido Collection. Stable and durable, the sizeable planks are perfectly suited for a loose lay installation. It’s 100% waterproof, and it provides underfoot comfort while reducing the sound of footsteps.
#5 Asymmetrical Lines
Add a splash of bold and daring to make your room come to life seamlessly. Highlight a unique aspect of your room by bringing in colour, daring patterns, and unique shapes, such as this Estella chandelier from Canarm or this Bocadella pendant light from EGLO.
Asymmetrical lines help draw the eye from one feature of your room to the next, plus they help break up the linear structure of the accent walls and flooring.
For softer background lighting that frames artwork or provides intimate lighting, try adding rustic wall lights like this Alta design from Canarm or this Wymer sconce from EGLO.
Get more out of your dining room by looking for opportunities to make it a multipurpose space, like adding functional storage with base cupboards… and don’t be afraid to mix textural elements (like natural-looking wood flooring or brick accent walls) to create a cozy space perfect for entertaining.
Create This Look
Ready to refresh your outdated dining room to be the functional entertaining space you need? Our DIY Project Sales Experts can help you create a free materials list and building plan to help you create a space that’s functional and stylish.
Love what you see here? Bring in this shopping list to help get you started!
- Cultured Stone’s Cultured Brick® (Used Brick, High Desert) – special order from Canadian Stone Industries
- Longitude24 in Silent Grey – special order from Eldorado Stone
- Luxury vinyl flooring in Catania 2092 – special order from Beaulieu Canada’s Rapido Collection
- Estella chandelier – special order from Canarm
- Bocadella pendant light – special order from EGLO
- Alta wall light – special order from Canarm
- Wymer wall light – special order from EGLO
- Base cabinets, double door with slab cupboards – Cutler Kitchen & Bath
- Formica® Laminate countertop in White Marble Herringbone – special order through Sims Countertops