There's been a rise and fall in the popularity of dining rooms over the last few years.

The dining room used to be a place where families would come together at the end of a long day or week to sit down and enjoy a meal together. Whether it was for a lazy weekend brunch, a Sunday night roast, or a daily dinner, eating in the dining room meant everyone would take time out of their busy schedules to be present at the table. 

After taking a poll with our colleagues, more than 75 percent said they "rarely or never" used their dining rooms. So, is the dining room on the decline? What are people doing instead?

Kitchens As The Social Hub

According to the 2026 Trends Report from the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), families are prioritizing their kitchen space, opting to make it bigger and more open. It's about gathering, socializing, and connecting in one place. Think: cooking, doing homework, hanging out at the kitchen island or table instead of in a separate room. We're also seeing a rise in the popularity of cozy breakfast nooks for the same reason. 

Chances are, you are already using your kitchen this way—so it's time to make it actually work for you. If you're planning a renovation anytime soon, you might want to think of taking down the walls to your dining room and creating a more open-space floor plan with a dedicated coffee bar or cocktail station, a large kitchen island for homework, and even a pet station.

Casual entertaining

Although we love a traditional dinner party, the idea that people can converse in one room while the hosts cook gets rid of a lot of stress and time away from guests. Right now, it's all about showing the 'behind-the-scenes' of the process and opening up your home instead of feeling like you are catering the party.

What are dining rooms being used for?

Instead of another room to decorate and clean only to not be used, NKBA is seeing people turn their dining rooms into what we all need more off: storage space. Try shelving for a walk-in pantry, closed cupboards for holding appliances and cleaning supplies, or even a room dedicated to reading and relaxing.

Finding usefulness for your space improves our overall health and wellness, says NKBA. More storage gives peace of mind and not having to maintain a room that never gets used let's go of a sense of "purposeless." 

So, what are you waiting for? It's time to get rid of your dining room and turn your kitchen into the social hub of the home.

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