Does dining room have to be next to kitchen?

How far away from the kitchen can the dining room be located? Most DRs are located adjacent to the kitchen, usually through either a single door or a butler's pantry. But does it have to be?

Would it be okay if you had to walk further to get to the DR, say, across the foyer, or down a hallway? Through another room? How far is too far before it seems ridiculous?

Breakfast Room vs Formal Dining Room

When building a custom home, you will be faced with many design choices and options. As you begin to look at design plans, you might start to wonder if you really need a formal dining room. You might also notice something called a breakfast room instead of a formal dining room. Here’s what to consider when evaluating a breakfast room vs a formal dining room for your custom home:

Breakfast Room

Here’s what to know about breakfast rooms for your custom home:

What is a Breakfast Room?

A breakfast room, or sometimes more commonly known as a breakfast nook, is a spot in or near your kitchen that is designated for eating. It can be separated from the kitchen with a little alcove or a wall. Breakfast rooms are usually a casual, cozy spot with windows to let in light and have comfy seating. Breakfast rooms are one of the most popular custom home designs ideas.

3 Things to Consider About Breakfast Rooms

If you’re thinking about a breakfast nook or room for your custom home, here’s what to consider:

1. Breakfast Rooms Maximize Space

A breakfast room is a great way to make use of space in your kitchen. Breakfast rooms allow you to have close proximity to your kitchen, but still have space to eat. They also can be utilized all day, not just during breakfast.

2. They Are Efficient and Allow for Easier Connection

The close proximity to the kitchen allows you to work in the kitchen, while still keeping an eye on children or allows you to be a part of the conversation around the table. This is a great way to keep families connected and together, which is why it’s one of the family-friendly custom home design ideas.

It’s also a great option if you prefer your home to be more casual and laid-back. This can be a benefit to an open concept floor plan.

3. A Breakfast Room Could Mean a Busier Kitchen

Of course, having a breakfast room so close to the kitchen may mean disruptions to either cooking or dining. There are tips for including a breakfast nook in your custom home design that you can use to reduce disruption. But, if you are a person who prefers to cook and clean without many disruptions, the breakfast room may not be the choice for you.

Formal Dining Room

Here’s what to know about formal dining rooms for your custom home:

What is a Formal Dining Room?

Although the formal dining room is also typically close to the kitchen, it is usually closed off with a door and is a separate space from the kitchen. A functional dining room can provide a dining space separate from the kitchen, but does not require a wall or door to define the separate space.

Functional dining rooms tend to be more popular in open-concept layouts while formal dining rooms are a better option for homeowners that want a clear separation between the kitchen and dining room. This can be helpful if you plan on entertaining a lot, especially if you have small children who may be resting or involved in other activities.

3 Things to Consider About Formal Dining Rooms

Here are a few things to consider about formal dining rooms for your custom home:

1. They Make it Easier to Entertain More Guests

Formal dining rooms also allow for a lot more guests to be entertained. Dining rooms usually allow for larger tables, as well as sideboards or other pieces of furniture on which to set food and beverages. If you plan on entertaining frequently, a formal dining room might be the best option for your custom home. Plus, there are many modern dining room ideas to help you create a great atmosphere that also makes the most of this space in your home.

2. The Kitchen Will Be Further From the Dining Space

Having a formal dining room will mean that your kitchen will be a little bit farther away from your dining space. This is great for entertaining, but it can be frustrating if you frequently need to go back to the kitchen for more food. It also can be isolating cooking in the kitchen alone, while everyone else is socializing in the dining room.

3. They Can be an Inefficient Use of Space

Formal dining rooms can also be a waste of space if you don’t use them frequently. If you know most of your meals will be eaten in your kitchen, either at an island or breakfast bar, or even at a small table in your kitchen, a formal dining room might not be worth it. Use that space for something else that will benefit you and your family.

Breakfast Room vs Formal Dining Room, or Both?

These are just a few things to consider when you are evaluating a breakfast room vs formal dining room. Depending on your lifestyle and home design, one might be better than the other. Of course, if you and your family know you will benefit from both a breakfast room and a formal dining room, that choice is up to you.

If you’re ready to get started designing and building your own custom home, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090. We’ll help bring your dream home to life!