Should You Get Rid Of Your Dining Room? 5 Things To Know

Unused or underutilized rooms in any home layout make for wasted space. And for an investment as large as your primary home which serves as a central facet of your life, wasted space should be avoided at all costs. 

For many American homes today, one of the least utilized spaces is the dining room. Is your dining room reserved for special occasions? Does it primarily serve as storage or a table on which to do craft projects? If so, here's what you need to know about remodeling it.

1. Dining Rooms Aren't Mandatory

First and foremost, know that you're not alone if you're considering getting rid of your dining room in a remodel. That this room was once used on a daily basis doesn't alter the fact that American life has changed, and it often serves less of a function now. People now gather, entertain, and socialize in different ways. So you aren't strange to consider other ways to use the space. 

2. You Can Often Expand The Kitchen

The most effective use of an underused dining room is often the expansion of an adjacent kitchen. Most homeowners want more space in their kitchens, after all. So, why not trade out a separate, formal room for a breakfast nook or an eat-in kitchen style, then use the extra space however you want? 

3. It Could Lead to an Open Floor Plan

Removal of the walls around a dining room is one of the easiest paths to an airy open floor plan concept. Because dining rooms are often carved out of the other public areas of the house, they are often the biggest obstacle to opening up the entire space. This one move could inspire you to pursue an open floor plan or it might make that possible. 

4. You Can Remodel It Even With Walls

Can't remove the walls of your dining room? Don't despair. You can still renovate the way you use this space even in its current configuration. An isolated dining room could serve as the perfect home office or craft room. You might make it a flex space with features amenable to multiple uses. Or you might use it more practically, such as for a butler's pantry or a back door entry area. 

5. The Best Start Is Learning Your Options

The best place to begin making this decision is to learn more about what options you have. You'll want to know if any walls are load-bearing and how wall removal affects the cost of your remodel. You might also learn about flow and the pros and cons of open floor plans. Or you might just need someone who can think outside the box.

Start by consulting with a home remodeling contractor in your area today. Together, you can find the best use for your dining room — no matter what that is. 

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