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A formal dining room often requires an element of storage, which is why everything from credenzas to custom servingware hutches have become mainstay in homes throughout the country. Some of these pieces also enable you to display a collection of dinnerware and glassware when they’re not in use — which is why many new builds often include built-in shelving or cabinetry. That trendy feature was once considered luxe, as it allowed homeowners to keep floor plans sparse; it seems, however, that the tides may be turning.
Published by data analysts at Realtor.com, the 2025 Hottest Home Trends report might have you reconsidering your dining room. The report, which aggregated details from over a million home listings on its site, suggests ornate design details are no longer being featured in homes — and in the case of dining rooms, this includes built-in storage.
A New Survey Suggests Dining Room Built-Ins Are Out
According to this report, sprinkled amid the growing desire for amenities like EV charging ports, net-zero ready spaces, and biophilic design, a change in the way homeowners are laying out their dining rooms is evident.
It’s likely that homeowners want to make every space as multipurpose as possible — freestanding furniture, like a formal china cabinet, provides freedom that more permanent fixtures, like built-ins, can’t. Design opinions fluctuate, and purchasing a home without built-in features means less risk of having to take on future projects (and saving money!). While they’re aesthetically pleasing, built-ins also may be a nuisance for anyone who doesn’t have anything to display.
The survey suggested that three-car garages and infinity-edge pools are also seemingly slipping off the must-haves list, further illustrating that people are looking to make better use of their space and, perhaps, downsize entirely.
But if you already love your dining room built-in, don’t sweat it — the most sustainable thing you can do is work with and make the most of what you already have. And sustainability is at the top of the Hottest Home Trends list! The findings show that people are increasingly interested in making their homes smarter and more functional, and an existing built-ins can definitely help with both.
