5 IDEAS TO REPURPOSE
A FORMAL DINING ROOM
Dining spaces may be going the way of the
dinosaur, refl ecting modern homeowners’
preferences for more fl exible and useful spaces.
Traditional formal dining
rooms are not as
necessary as they were
a generation or two ago.
A recent study by Realtor.
com found formal dining
rooms are often the most
underutilized square footage
in homes, and a signifi cant
percentage of Millennial and
Gen Z homeowners prefer
fl exible “lifestyle rooms”
over dining spaces.
So what can homeowners whose dining room tables are
covered in mail or the kids’ homework do to repurpose the
space into something they will actually use? The following
are fi ve ideas to repurpose a formal dining room into a more
usable space.
1. Lounge: Those who enjoy hosting friends or family without
sitting down to formal dinners might appreciate transforming
the dining space into a cocktail lounge. Swapping the
dining room table and chairs for low swivel chairs around a
coffee table or high-backed bar stools around bar tables easily
converts the seating space. A built-in wet bar or a bar cart
helps complete this social hub for intimate conversation.
Paint the room in darker colors or use textured wallpaper to
simulate an after-hours feel that separates the space from the
rest of the house.
2. Library: Homeowners can create a digital detox zone by
way of a cozy library. A timeless choice, a library can feature
fl oor-to-ceiling bookshelves or built-ins and comfortable
reading chairs stationed by a window.
3. Music space: Homeowners who play an instrument may
appreciate a designated space for jam sessions. Dining
rooms with high ceilings and bare fl oors often provide excellent
acoustics for music. Complement the space with a hightech
audio system and sound baffl ing panels for those who
plan to record.
4. Home offi ce: Hybrid work is a permanent fi xture in today’s
career landscape. A dining room located near the front of
the home presents a prime location for a professional workspace.
Replace a table with a sleek executive desk. An existing
buffet or sideboard can be repurposed as printer storage
or for fi ling. Consider adding French doors or partitions to
provide privacy without compromising on light fl ow.
5. Homework zone: Active families may need to transform
the dining room into a homework lab that offers a quiet
space for educational pursuits. Organized cabinetry can
house school materials, craft supplies, and much more, confi
ning it all to one room. Locating the computer in the space
creates a centralized “safe” spot for internet browsing and
monitoring young children in the process.
10027101
Three Course Dinner Special
Including a Glass of Wine or Beer
$4995
Sunday thru Th ursday | Roslyn Location
Tuesday thru Friday | Huntington Location
Cannot be combined • Excludes holidays • 8 person maximum per table
Huntington | 631-421-6001 Roslyn | 516-484-0555
Rothmann’s Restaurant Group
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