The traditional dining room is losing its place in British homes as changing lifestyles lead a quarter of the population to repurpose the space for alternative uses. Research by insurer Aviva, based on a Censuswide survey, reveals that 23 percent of Britons have converted their dining rooms. Popular choices for repurposing include creating larger, open-plan living areas, home offices, or gyms.
This trend coincides with an increase in home renovations as individuals opt to stay put and improve their existing properties rather than move, partly due to the high cost of stamp duty. For instance, a home mover purchasing a property worth £450,000 would incur £12,500 in stamp duty, while the cost rises to £30,000 for an £800,000 home. Landlords and second home buyers face even higher charges.
According to Aviva's findings, the dining room is the third most likely room in a house to be repurposed, following bedrooms (52 percent) and spare rooms (38 percent). Homeowners in London are particularly inclined to repurpose their dining rooms, with 28 percent converting the space. Conversely, those in Wales (16 percent) and the East Midlands (17 percent) are more likely to maintain the room's original function.
The study also highlighted that many homeowners undertaking renovations faced budget challenges. Nearly a quarter (23 percent) of those who spent money on home improvements in the past year reported going over budget, while 18 percent did not establish a budget at all. Owners of detached properties reported the highest average spending on home improvements and DIY projects, at £63,169 in the last year. Bungalow owners spent an average of £12,097, significantly more than owners of semi-detached (£5,710) and terraced (£5,558) properties.
Carolyn Scott, head of home and lifestyle at Aviva, commented on the findings, noting the shift in how homes are being used. She advised homeowners undertaking renovations to conduct thorough research on tradespeople, check legal requirements such as planning permission and party wall agreements, and set aside a contingency for unexpected costs. Scott also emphasized the importance of informing home insurers about structural changes and any alterations in the number of occupants to ensure adequate cover.