Casual Alternatives to Formal Dining

By Jessica Hohman

Home builders in Tampa, Florida are consistently seeing formal dining rooms going the way of the buffalo.  These spaces, originally designed as a separate room in which to entertain guests, are being phased out by homeowners’ desire for an open concept floor plan.  When building a custom home, there are plenty of ways to still achieve the functionality of a formal dining room without wasting 300 square feet or your floor plan.  Below are 4 ways to achieve a functional and casual dining atmosphere in your custom home.

Build it in : Banquettes, built in benches around a wall, are a common trend in custom home design.   These areas are great for young children who can all squeeze together for lunchtime.  Banquettes are also a prime location to hide away some extra clutter.  Adding hidden compartments below the bench with cabinet doors that match the kitchen creates a perfect place for storing extra school and craft supplies.  Throw on some colorful, washable cushions and decorative pillows to complete the area!

An Island Oasis : With the boom in open concept floor plans, more emphasis is being placed on kitchen layout.  To learn more about all the options for a kitchen layout that best suits your level of cooking expertise, check out our previous blog, L-I-U-G Which Kitchen Layout is Right for You.  Regardless of which option is the best fit, including an island is a perfect way to not only create a border between the kitchen and adjoining areas, but it also creates additional seating areas.  Adding a granite overhang of 16” or more will provide enough clearance for legs.  If you are looking for more than the average 4 bar stools, consider a peninsula shaped island that will allow seating on additional sides.

Open Concept with a Twist : Tampa homebuilders are often tasked with the challenge of making an open concept home plan unique.  One way to still achieve this airy, open feeling while still creating a barrier, is through the construction of a divider wall with a two-sided fireplace.  With space on both sides of the wall and the ability to see through the fireplace, the home still feels open.   A divider wall also creates the opportunity to be creative!  Add additional built in storage for cookbooks or photo frames, display art, or completely cover it in stone for a sleek look.

Let’s Take This Outside! : Designing the outside entertaining areas of the home is as fundamental as the interior space for new home builders in Tampa, Florida.  By repositioning a table and adding lighting fixtures above, an exterior space can easily function as a dining room.  Including easy access to the kitchen through French doors or sliders is key when transitioning from cooking to dining.  If that sounds like a hassle, opt for an outdoor kitchen with a grill, sink, and beverage fridge so that you can make the most of your time dining in the great outdoors!

To start designing formal dining room alternatives into your custom home, visit our design library or contact us!

Tampa Bay’s Only Southern Living Custom Builder- Visit TampaShowcaseHome.com to follow our progress on our Southern Living Showcase Home

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