Call me old-fashioned, but I’ve always loved the idea of a formal dining room – probably because my parents used to host glamorous dinners in theirs in the 1980s and 1990s. It was the theater and camp of it all: the Royal Doulton was proudly presented at every venue; the Philips hostess cart that is wheeled in to keep the dishes warm; the After Eights are served before cigarettes and nightcaps.
Unsurprisingly, a separate dining room was at the top of my wish list when I moved from London to Surrey on the eve of the pandemic. And I struck gold in the form of an extension in the orangery, adjacent to the kitchen of the country house that my husband and I bought after one viewing. I always say it’s this space that sold it to us, and as dedicated foodies and seasoned entertainers, this is the first room in the house we decorated – long before the bedrooms and bathrooms – because for us it’s the heart of our life is. At home.
We’re not the only ones with our desire for a separate dining room. Matt Siberry, head of home at social media platform Pinterest UK, said: “In the past, open-plan living/kitchen/dining room combinations were considered ideal for hosting dinner parties.
However, over the past six months, people have started searching Pinterest for ways to bring a “separate dining room” to life. Having a dining space makes mealtimes special. Distractions such as the television or the clatter of pots and pans are no longer in your peripheral vision, and the conversation at the table takes center stage.”
Interestingly, searches for “dining room inspiration” on Pinterest increased tenfold between June and November, while searches for “dining room ideas” increased by 40 percent over the same period.
Online interest is also expanding from social media to real life. “Open plan interiors have been popular for years, but dining rooms are making a slow and steady comeback,” says Daniel Copley, consumer expert at property portal Zoopla. “Historic properties are in constant demand due to the character and heritage they can provide, and as a result this can often mean a return to more traditional living and entertaining spaces.
Thanks to the economic climate, many people are also choosing to recreate that restaurant feeling, rather than spending money on eating out. So it’s no surprise that more formal, separate dining areas are proving popular again.” Linda Wesson, Director of Prime Country Sales at Hamptons, added: “Recently there has certainly been a renaissance of a dedicated dining space, especially when it comes to entertaining guests. There’s something so luxurious about it. Imagine a cozy room, lit by soft candlelight, the comforting glow of a fireplace and a beautifully laid table.”
It is a trend that all major players are following. “The dining room, once considered too formal, is experiencing a new lease of life as a space for daily use and gathering with others,” says Lisa White, director of strategic forecasting at trend forecaster WGSN. “Shared meals around the table are becoming increasingly important for people in these turbulent times. Our data shows that the dining room has shown the most growth in the ‘cozy living’ conversation on social media over the past year.”
For my husband and me, our dining room is a comfortable and peaceful oasis to retreat to after the day is over, and especially when the weekend begins. A local restaurant that we never have to leave the house for, if you will. Sunday lunches are now common affairs, preceded by weekend newspapers and Bloody Marys; and a serious effort is made to eat on both sides of the table on Friday evenings, instead of on the couch in front of the television. In the middle of winter we drink breakfast tea here in the morning and enjoy the sun through the windows when it is too cold to go outside.
We were inspired by traditional British style for the furnishings, with a nod to 1990s chintz in the Cole & Son wallpaper, a traditional mahogany dining table with matching chairs, a Soho Home chandelier and green houseplants.
If you’re thinking of creating one yourself, there are some inspiring examples from interior designers such as Anouska Lancaster, whose formal dining room in her Georgian house in Cornwall contrasts heritage features with modern furnishings.
“I’ve noticed a huge increase since the pandemic in the number of clients wanting a separate dining room to escape to,” she says. “It will be a treat, almost like going out to dinner or lunch. That’s why I took the concept to the next level in my own home with a custom underwater-themed wallpaper. The fireplace is the main focal point and the teal Everhot stove beautifully complements the deep sea colors on the walls. There is an abundance of joy.”
Evin Rosa Hancock, owner of Orpheus, a country house in Suffolk available to rent through Unique Homestays, used her expertise in breathing new life into traditional spaces to design hers. “For us, a separate dining room is the epitome of real family time in a modern world full of distractions,” she says. “It is a space where you can talk, reflect and connect while enjoying good food and drinks with the people you love.”
You also don’t need a large dining room to host unforgettable gatherings. “Invite as many people as possible and cram them in like sardines,” is the advice of American designer Jonathan Adler.
And it turns out that I’m not so old-fashioned after all. The formal dining room is currently the most popular reservation in town.
Ten ways to brighten up your dining area…
Bird & Bluebell mural wallpaper
£262 per roll, Little Green
Birds, bees, butterflies and bluebells feature in this elegant mural, inspired by a wallpaper found at the National Trust home of Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk.
Rose Garden tablecloth with ruffles
from £85, and napkins, £20 for two, Rosanna Falconer
This traditional design with a twist is hand block printed in Jaipur and pairs beautifully with plain white porcelain.
Stratford elliptical table
£2,450, Neptune
This oval table seats up to eight people, and its pedestal design means there’s no clutter of legs to get in the way.
Frame leather dining room chair
£379, John Lewis
Comfortable chairs will encourage guests to stay longer; where space permits, choose chairs with armrests.
Arch candle holders
£30 per pair, Host at home
This clever arch-shaped candle holder is a playful and festive addition to the table and comes with a “candle cap” that can be slipped in to ensure the slimmer dinner candles fit properly.
Poppy’s Prosecco Bundle
£65, House Flaneur
These colored glasses, designed by model Poppy Delevingne, will make a statement on the table and come with a bottle of Della Vite prosecco to get the party started.
Clara velvet chamois in Merlot
£10, Dunelm
Add comfort and color to plain wood chairs with a seat cushion.
Buchanan drinks cart
£289, Where saints go
Place a drinks cart at the side of the room to keep bottles, glasses and ice buckets off the table.
Scalloped abaca placemat
£22, Rebecca Udall
Not only protecting the table, this beautiful placemat adds texture and matches any color scheme (also available in green or mushroom).
Palazzo Re-Jute rug
from € 169, Robust
With a pattern inspired by the floors of Italian palazzos, this jute-look rug can be thrown in the washing machine.