“Namaste” Replacing “Pass the Peas” in Dining Room Conversations
New Angie’s List Survey Shows Big Change in Dining Habits
INDIANAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Homeowners looking for relics in their abodes need look no further than
the dining room. Most of us have one. Few of us use it. And a new
Angie’s List (NASDAQ: ANGI) survey* says a lot of us are giving up on
ever using it again.
“The formal dining room might have once been a must-have, but it’s
rapidly becoming the most repurposed room in the house,” said Angie’s
List founder and CMO Angie Hicks. “I still have mine, but the only time
I go in there is to adjust the thermostat.”
Hicks falls into the eight percent of respondents who rarely or never
darken the dining room door. Two-thirds of respondents still have
traditional furniture in their dining rooms but the table is a place for
homework, crafting, board games or a catch-all storage area.
Thirteen percent of the respondents say they’ve ditched the dining room
furniture to make space for yoga or serious arts and crafts.
The demise of the dining room doesn’t mean American families aren’t
gathering for their evening meal. Sixty-two percent of respondents say
they have family dinner nearly every night. Another 18 percent said
their family gathers for dinner at least three times a week.
“It’s where they’re eating that’s changed the most, and that’s affecting
home improvement,” Hicks said. “Remodelers and builders tell us they’re
seeing a big spike in elaborate kitchen islands and more spacious
kitchens that include tables and bar space.”
The survey showed bathrooms, outdoor spaces and kitchens are the most
popular areas targeted for remodeling this year, but eight percent of
the survey respondents say they’re re-doing their dining rooms.
If the dining room is out, where does America usually eat dinner?
-
57 percent eat at a table or island in a shared kitchen-dining room
space - 36 percent eat in the family or living room
- 3 percent eat at a restaurant
- 2 percent eat standing up at the kitchen counter or island
Hicks’ advice for homeowners who want to ditch their dining room is to
savor the idea like a fine meal and not bite off more than they can chew.
“If you’re not sure what you want to do with your dining room, you might
want to make its re-use a DIY project,” Hicks recommends. “When you know
what you want to do – especially if that means taking down a wall or
tearing out wainscoting or other wall board, you might want professional
help.”
A major renovation that affects your home’s structure should be done
with a professional, but less invasive work can be done by a variety of
service pros, including handyman companies that generally offer lower
rates than those who focus on remodeling.
Seventy-two percent of Angie’s List members said they are planning to
spend as much or more in 2017 on home remodeling, and 31 percent of them
plan to hire a handyman or handywoman to help. Angie’s List offers a
comprehensive guide
to remodeling, as well as tips to hiring
a contractor on its Solution Center, free of charge.
*The Angie’s List survey included responses from 1,245 members across
the country. It was conducted in January, 2017.
About Angie’s List
Finding a pro for a job well done is easy at Angieslist.com. More
than five million members nationwide use Angie’s List to help them
maintain and improve their homes. Built on a foundation of more than 10
million verified reviews in more than 700 categories of local service,
Angie’s List connects members directly to its online marketplace of
services and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the
local service experience for both members and service professionals.
Contacts
Angie’s List
Cheryl Reed, 317-396-9134
cherylr@angieslist.com
@AngiesListNews
www.angieslist.com
