Hi there! Welcome to the “Ask Alexa” series. I’m Alexa Drees, the Design Center Director at Drees Homes, and I’m excited to bring you weekly tips, advice, and answers to your dilemmas to help make designing your dream home an easy and enjoyable process. Each week, I’ll be rolling out a new feature. (If you missed our first 11 videos, you can watch them here.)
We kicked off the month discussing the features that set the foundation for not only a beautiful holiday at home, but a meaningful one full of memories with family and friends. We also talked about the beloved art of baking and specialty spaces designed for the ultimate in entertainment. Now moving along to a more traditional space: the family dining room.
The Formal Dining Room: A Space of the Past or Still Relevant?
Once upon a time, the holidays and family traditions were synonymous with the dining room. In the past, the dining room was a place for formal entertaining, and to some homebuyers, it still is. Whether you love to throwing dinner parties or have a larger family, these spaces are still appropriate.
On the flip side, we are seeing a trend of more families opting for the open floor plan, rather than placing significance on a more traditional dining room.
Benefits of Preserving the Traditional Space
When you have a formal dining room, it is often positioned at the front of the home, right where you are likely to greet your guests. Since it is the first spot you see in the home, you have an opportunity to making a lasting impression with your guests and deck it out with décor. It provides the foundation to allow your personal style to shine. Imagine designing a great holiday tablescape!
Driving the Decision to Open, Informal Dining
What makes one opt for the open plan instead of the traditional dining space? It all comes down to the way homeowners like to entertain. Those who desire a fluid flow with common spaces instead of segregated areas of the home select the informal dining area.
If you’re on the fence as to whether a formal or informal dining space is best for your family, I recommend visiting our models to see the different layouts in person. Immersing yourself in the space helps you imagine your life there vs. simply looking at inspirational photos online or in a magazine.
Next week, join us as we turn our focus to the perfect place to relax and recuperate after the holiday hustle and bustle. For the first look at our new segments, be sure to follow along on Facebook. We look forward to having you join us on this journey of design explorations!
All the best,
Alexa Drees
