This room was once a staple in British homes — now it’s disappearing

This room was once a staple in British homes — now it’s disappearing | Lifestyle Reporter Published September 8, 2026 11:12am Updated September 8, 2026 11:12am The British dining room has been dying a ‘slow and painful’ death for some time now (Picture: Getty Images) For those obsessed with scrolling through Rightmove or looking at interiors on Pinterest, an airy, open-plan living space is the dream. A big kitchen island to gather around, comfy sofas and a table to eat dinner with the family. But not-so-long ago, it was all about the dining room. The concept peaked during the Victorian era, and then became a mainstay of middle-class homes during the 1920s and 1930s. But according to new research, nearly a quarter (23%) of homeowners with dining rooms have now repurposed them completely, swapping them for things like a gym or an extra living room. There are several reasons for the switch-up. Many middle-class families might’ve enjoyed a dining room (Picture: Getty Images) Ready to start your homebuying journey? You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK’s leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won’t charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Almost a quarter of homeowners (24%) say working from home has prompted them to make changes to the layout, making way for home offices. One in five say parenthood influenced their decision, while 16% said it was due to getting a pet. Adam Day, head of estate agents eXp UK and Europe, tells Metro that the death of the dining room has been a ‘slow and painful’ one. RIP. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. He says: ‘In many respects, it started with open-plan living. ‘As kitchens became larger and more social spaces, the traditional boundaries between cooking, eating and relaxing began to blur and the need for a separate room purely for dining naturally diminished.’ Adam says dining rooms used to carry a ‘certain sense of formality and status, with different rooms reserved for different parts of domestic life.’ He adds: ‘Many of us will remember visiting our grandparents, where there was often a “good” front room or dining room that was kept pristine and barely used unless guests were coming over or there was a special occasion. ‘We’ve now come almost full circle. Rather than keeping an entire room aside for occasional use, households increasingly want every part of the home to earn its keep.’ Finances play a factor too. As the cost of buying a home has risen, families have had to compromise on the amount of space they can afford. Without a spare bedroom upstairs, the dining room has had to adapt. According to the latest ONS figures, the average home in the UK now costs £293,000, and amid spiralling renting costs, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Gen Zs to get on the ladder. One 2026 study from the House of Lords finds the average age of a first-time buyer has risen steadily, as in 2003/2024, it was 31. By 2024/2025, it was 34. Do you still have a dining room? Yes, and I use it oftenCheck Yes, but I either don't use it or I've repurposed itCheck No, I can't afford oneCheck Sign up to Metro’s The Key newsletter for must-read property stories, DIY hacks and tips for buying a home. ‘Does anyone use a dining room these days?’ It’s a debate that’s been scattered across the internet, as those who can afford the space, have admitted they don’t even use it. Posting on the r/homeowners Subreddit, @RainbowSherbert99 moved into a large terraced home five years ago, and said their dining room is now a ‘dumping ground for washing.’ In the comments, @BellLopsided2502 said their last home had a dining room, and they only really used it when they ‘had guests or it was a special occasion.’ They added: ‘We did use the table for puzzles and crafts.’ ‘We turned ours into a [bar]’ @therealfinagler shared. ‘Got rid of the table and now have a small cocktail corner and a tiny table for card games and drinks.’ These days, spaces like this one are being repurposed (Picture: Getty Images) However, as Adam says, there is a some hope for the dining room yet. Adam explains: ‘Monday to Saturday dining habits may look very different to those of previous generations, but there is still something almost religious about the British Sunday lunch or dinner. ‘That tradition of bringing everyone together around a table remains deeply ingrained and, for that reason, I don’t think the dining room is completely dead. Deals of the Day Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 ‘It has simply evolved from being a room with one very specific purpose into a space that modern families expect to do considerably more.’ Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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