The dining room, once a key feature in middle-class homes during the 1920s and 1930s, is now facing a "slow and painful" decline, says Adam Day, head of estate agents eXp UK and Europe. A significant portion—23%—of homeowners with dining rooms have completely repurposed them, turning them into spaces like gyms, extra living areas, or home offices. This shift reflects changing lifestyles and preferences in home design. Several factors are driving this change. The popularity of open-plan living spaces has reduced the need for separate, formal areas like dining rooms. Additionally, the rise of remote work has increased the demand for home offices, prompting many to convert dining rooms into functional workspaces. Parenthood and pet ownership also influence how people use their homes, often leading to more flexible, multi-purpose spaces. Financial pressures are another key factor. With the average home price in the UK now at £293,000, younger generations are finding it harder to afford larger homes with dedicated rooms for specific functions. The average age of a first-time buyer has risen from 31 in 2003/2024 to 34 by 2024/2025, indicating a shift in when people are able to purchase homes with more space. Homeowners have shared their experiences online, with some describing their dining rooms as places for laundry or informal gatherings, like bars or game rooms. However, Adam Day notes that the dining room is not completely obsolete. The tradition of British Sunday meals, where families gather to eat together, suggests that the space still holds some cultural and functional value in modern homes.