Formal Vs. Functional Dining Room Ideas: Which is Right for Your Home?

PHOTO CREDIT: PAULA INTERIORS

PHOTO CREDIT: PAULA INTERIORS

PHOTO CREDIT: PINTEREST

PHOTO CREDIT: PAULA INTERIORS

Formal or functional: how do you prefer to dine at home? While formal dining rooms have been a mainstay in American homes for centuries, they are falling out of favor as many modern families prefer open-plan living with multifunctional spaces and casual aesthetics. Of course, for those who love to host dinners, there is nothing that can replace a formal dining room with a large table that seats all of your guests. 

These two types of dining rooms are at opposite ends of the spectrum, but that doesn't mean one is better than the other – it all comes down to what you need and want in your home. To help you decide which is right for you, our expert Chicago interior designers have compiled some of the main factors that distinguish formal and functional rooms. We hope these dining room ideas inspire you to create the perfect space for your family to relax, laugh, and eat together.

Purpose

The most important consideration in a dining room design is the intended purpose of the room. A formal dining room is typically only used for dining and special events. By comparison, a functional dining room is used for many different activities beyond eating. For example, it might serve as a homework station, gaming table, or place to chat and watch TV after work. Often an extension of the kitchen or living room, functional dining rooms are better for quick meals eaten solo, while formal dining rooms can support a large party.

Furniture & Decor

With its elegant decor and traditional atmosphere, a formal dining room typically features formal furniture like a table and chairs, sideboard, console, and china cabinet. A traditional dining room table should seat between 8-12 guests. Functional dining spaces, on the other hand, can be much smaller and have more casual dining room decor. Some might seat as few as four people, like this recent breakfast nook we designed for clients in LaGrange, Illinois. When it comes to the chairs for your dining room, armchairs are frequently found in formal dining rooms whereas armless chairs are often found in functional dining rooms. The use of a rug beneath the table is very popular in a traditional dining room. 

Lighting

Getting the lighting in your dining area perfect is key to creating an enjoyable ambiance. When choosing fixtures, it is important to take into account factors like the size of the room, mood you want to create, and how much light will be coming in from windows. To make it easier on yourself, consider the types of activities that will happen in your dining room.

In a formal dining room, your lighting doesn’t need to be powerful. Many traditional rooms feature an elegant statement chandelier or sconces that provide enough of a glow for you to see your food without being overly bright. However, as functional dining rooms are often used for multiple purposes, you’ll likely need layered lighting. This could include recessed lighting in addition to a chandelier or pendant lights.

Table Settings

Keep in mind that formal dining rooms typically have a lot more going on with table settings than functional ones. Often, you’ll find china tableware and sterling silver cutlery in a formal dining room along with tablecloths and cloth napkins. A formal dining room table likely has a centerpiece – either a floral arrangement or candles, or both! At a functional table, keeping things simple with everyday ceramic plates and woven or cloth placemats is far more popular. 

When deciding between formal or functional, what matters most is what you need from your dining space. If you live in a smaller house and have more casual dinners, consider going with the more functional option. However, if you have a spare room and know that you love to host dinner parties, we recommend setting up a formal room that feels special when entertaining guests. As one of the leading Chicago interior design firms, we would be thrilled to help you design the dining room of your dreams. Give us a call today to set up a consultation!

Stay tuned to this blog and follow us on  Instagram here!

Talk to you soon,

Paula