The time spent after a meal where everyone lingers around the dining table enjoying each other’s conversation and the desert should be cherished. In Spain, this tradition for after-dinner relaxation has been given a game, known as ‘sobremesa’.
These days, homebuyers in the UK no longer lust for traditional dining rooms, instead opting for open, inviting eating areas to enjoy this important family time to the fullest.
Below, Avant Life looks into what the benefits are of open-plan dining-cum-living spaces, and offers tips on how to plan for your dream look with décor, DIY trends and visualising tools.
Benefits of open-plan dining
Choosing an open-plan home isn’t all for show. This style is loved for the way it creates a flow throughout different areas of the home that are otherwise normally separated, bringing the family together through communal living and creating a social environment.
Plus, it means no more being in two places at once – you can keep an eye on the kids or carry on conversation with your family whether you’re sat on the couch, cooking up dinner or getting the dining table ready.
When you choose a new build home, there are various floor plans you’ll be able to choose from. For example, having the kitchen, living and dining areas in one large space, or having the kitchen separate, but your living and dining areas combined.
You’ll also find that having an open-plan dining room design allows you to be flexible with furniture placement, décor and space, from dinner parties to kids’ birthdays and beyond.
Let there be light
With no big walls blocking the natural flow of light, you’ll notice right away that your space will be significantly more light-filled, making planning your dining space so much easier and more flexible.
Try placing your dining table right in front of your bi-fold doors to embrace the natural light all through summer or tuck your table to the side and play around with statement ceiling lights for a more dramatic effect that ties the room together.
Colour
When you’re planning colours for your kitchen and dining space in a new build home, there are plenty of choices you’ll have (indecisive homebuyers, rise to the challenge!). Everything from tabletops and cupboards to handles and flooring can be customised, meaning you’ll be able to achieve your dream look from the outset.
After choosing your kitchen and flooring colour scheme, get playful in the dining area with colour, abstract wallpaper and playing around with accents such as metallics. For an on-trend look, try incorporating Pantone’s 2020 Colour of the Year Classic Blue for a statement gallery wall.
Experimenting with colour in your décor and walls to complement your kitchen and dining aesthetic can set the perfect mood for everything from family dinner to homework with the kids.
Extra spaces
Order up! Homebuyers have been leading the way and showing off just how versatile their open-plan dining space is by creating their very own DIY drink stations, perfect for after-dinner drinks and coffee mornings with friends.
For early birds, the breakfast bar trend will continue to make an appearance in 2020, adding to family dining areas to make the perfect nook for a moment in the morning all to yourself.
If you love brew-tea-ful mornings, try creating your own coffee bar using this guide!
Visualising
We know how hard it can be to make a decision when you have so many stylish options to choose from, so making sure you have a way to visualise what you want your room to look like can help you avoid being stuck in an indecisive rut.
Take a tip from the designer’s handbook and try using mood boards to plan out how your home will look, adding other touches like appliances and décor to the mix. Use online tools like our room visualiser to see your dream dining and kitchen area come to life in an instant.
Achieving open-plan dining in your next home
Fancy having all these benefits of open- plan living and dining in your next house? Well look no further than Avant for your next home.
Our choice of open-plan homes featuring bi-fold doors and designer kitchens, complete with integrated appliances and smart storage solutions, will give you a space that not only looks good but is super practical too – making them perfect for modern-day living.
Explore Avant’s developments and “Find your new home”.