It seems ironic that a 23 year old woman who lives in a house share should talk to her readers about interior design and planning her future home but the truth is I have always been interested in ‘interiors’. Growing up my foster mum made sure that I was ‘hands on’ and taught me how to paint, garden and do basic housing renovations. After all she believed that there was more to chores than just ‘washing up’ and I couldn’t have agreed more. Naturally moving to London means that it has been a while since I have seen a ‘dining room’ but as someone who lives half of her life in a fantasy world, I don’t see any harm in some good ol’ fashioned make believe. When I went into care aged 10 I settled into my foster mum‘s semi detached 3 bedroom house, which was so beautifully ‘rustic’ and attuned to our countryside settings. With a farm nearby and plenty of woodland to explore, our house was indicative of our rural surroundings and it was beautiful. From a real wooden fireplace to a sturdy oak table right through to our outdoor gardens, our house was very much ‘sticks and oak’ rather than ‘bricks and mortar’.
Caroline Liddington: Dorset
Naturally it should come as no surprise therefore that I am more drawn to ‘rustic, farmhouse style houses and furniture’ as opposed to modern contemporary ‘glass and marble’, although I still love those materials regardless. I always envisioned myself in a picturesque cottage, with ivy leaves intertwining across the windows and apple trees swaying in the breeze. But to me it is the dining room that is the portal hub, where people can come together and dine as one. A dining room is more than just a room to ‘have food in’ but it is where conversations happen, drinks are spilled and tears of joy are wiped away. When we ate at the table, before the rise of modern technology, we felt connected and truly listened to what one another had to say. But then, we shifted to eating on the sofas in front of the TV and our focus was on watching telly, rather than making conversation.
Sadly this is indicative of the society we live in; in restaurants we are transfixed to our phones, when we meet our friends we are constantly scrolling through social media feeds and even when we talk to others on the phone, we are writing blog posts, scheduling social media and not paying attention to what the other person has to say. While it would be appropriate for me to say I am not guilty of any of these habits, the truth is I am just as bad as the next person. We have become so attuned into using social media or digital gadgets to control every aspect of our lives that we have forgotten how to ‘live’ and communicate. Think about it this way, how many of us have truly survived a ‘social media detox‘ and come out of it using technology less? More specifically when it comes to things like ‘blogging events’ or ‘online dating‘ have you ever wondered why people appear to be far different than their online persona suggests? I remember when I met someone offline who online presented themselves as a ‘sweetheart’ who was bubbly, fun loving and would always talk to her followers. Yet in person she was cold, dismissive and acted like she was above anybody else.
Art Walker Galleries Collection
Now you are probably thinking, what on earth does this have to do with ‘dining rooms’ and how can this obscure concept possibly save us from technology? Well you see it is simple; while many of us rarely use dining rooms and are more used to eating on the sofa, glued to the telly, with our mobiles in our hands, for people like my aunty ‘meal times’ are extremely important. Her flat is minimalist but functional and in the centre of her living room is a rustic dark oak table, set with placemats and a plain vanilla scented candle. While the TV might be on in the background, she keeps the volume down low and spends time talking to her guests, ladling out food in bowls and pouring wine or juice into each persons cups. In our Portuguese etiquette meals are made to be enjoyed and ‘meal times’ often stretch out over a few hours to tap into their love for ‘slow living’, which is so popular in Mediterranean countries. The fact is, we live in a fast paced world and technology controls every aspect of our lives, right through to how much time we allocate to eat.
At my aunty’s I will sit and eat lunch for a good hour but at home, in the comfort of my bedroom, I am lucky if I spend even 20 minutes eating, because I am so worried about how much work I need to get accomplished. And I am not the only one, those who eat at dining tables, are more likely to feel more focused and less likely to procrastinate, as eating slower makes you feel satisfied for longer. If you eat at a dining table, you are also more likely to improve your posture while eating (due to hardback wooden chairs) and ‘eat healthier’ as sofas and bedrooms are often associated with take-outs and microwave meals (although this is a generalization). My point being, is while some like me ‘live in a house share’ and do not have an option of a ‘dining room’ we should nevertheless focus on its concept to remove technology during meal times and conversations with others, even if we live in a box room. Taking time out away from technology will improve our health and wellness and help us feel more motivated in our professional and personal lives.
Art Agency: Red Through The Range
What Are Your Thoughts On Dining Rooms & Do You Believe They Can Save Us From Technology?
*Collaborative Post In Partnership With Utility Design. All thoughts are my own.
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I completely agree. While I constantly observe people on their gadgets (even while crossing the street) and am quick to judge, I’m just as guilty – struggling to keep up with a job at a social marketing agency, multiple clients, a blog, and comment threads/pods. Digital detox is definitely important, and I totally feel that time away from the phone and conversations with others during meal time can contribute to one’s well-being!
These are great insights. I can agree that making technology secondary at dining times are greatly needed. I’ve found myself bringing my phone to the dinner table, my husband had done it on many occasions as well. We also keep our tv on low, for the most part. In short, it is a process but we’ve become more aware of our technological addiction and are slowly fixing our quality time to not include these devices. We are still a work in progress. 😁😉
We have very little tech in our dining room – just a radio. but I need to get better at leaving my phone in another room x
We always eat out dinner at the table, with our phones left elsewhere in the house. It’s nice to just chat about our day and talk about what we get up to.
I couldn’t agree more. I dont know if its the dining room especially but we all bloggers need a media detox. When Im in my room Im just like you, always thinking about what to do haha. Now Im scheduling times during the month to stop being on my phone or online.
Omg I love this article. It’s so interesting and I love how you connected dining room to technology. I agree on social media detox, and I try to dine talking rather than while doing social media. I love your defintion where you said dining room is where people catch up, talk about their day and so on. It’s so true! Sharing this on pinterest and my personal account. <3
As a child, my sisters and I hated sitting around the table to eat- we’d have loved to have sat in front of the TV! We ate in kitchen but used the dining room for special dinners etc. We’re the same now, we all eat around the table in kitchen, we used to have a dining room but it’s now used as a play room. I guess the concept is still the same though, we sit around the table and there’s no TV. I’m totally with you on this one- the kids are already way too reliant on tech so there’s no way I’d let them eat in front of the TV x
We follow this strict rule of no phones at the dining table in our place and believe me, that is the only time we are off using those gadgets!
I am just like you more drawn to rustic, farmhouse style houses instead of modern contemporary glass and marble, they are so much more cozy and still very chic!
Honestly, I have gotten more glued to getting things done than being in my dining room to be best totally honest. I may have to force myself as a goal to do this more and unglue myself from my to do list so I can sit down and enjoy food. To make it very intentional. Thanks for that reminder. Needed it.
I must admit… When we are having dinner, we have mild conversation before going back to technology, be it the TV or social media… It’s definitely something we need to work on…
I once ate pancakes in my bed while I was taking a picture for Instagram :))). I haven`t enjoyed it, it`s not as fun as it looks like, plus I ruined my silk pillowcase. As I child, I have been told, I eat first, I play after. Translated into our days is eat first, leave your bloody phone locked in a box or disconnect your wi-fi 😀
Moral of the story: always eat at your dining table.
In my opinion we need to distract away from technology once in a day.. Sitting back leisurely with our family members is indeed a good idea.. And no tech involved
I can’t wait to have a dining room one day! Right now I live in a studio. I would love more technology in my home someday!
Well said. Keeping all those gadgets away when we are at the dining room, is a good thing to do. Better to have a good communication while eating.
Very well stated that dining rooms are meant to share our emotions or how we feel. During eating a person speaks out his heart and if we get involved into technology then all is lost. Social media detox is really necessary. I loved that colorful painting.
I have always been really interested in interior designs too and can’t wait until I have my own place. We try to eat at the dining table as often as possible and my family always makes sure that we are not on phones or other gadgets when eating.
I love having a dining room, while out flat is very open plan I made sure there was space for a dining room table. When you eat mindfully and focus on the meal it does your body so much good and helps you better digest your food because your body knows you’re eating. It’s a really interesting topic actually – how technology affects our digestion. Plus it is just so much nicer to sit at the table with friends and family to enjoy a meal.
I think you’re right, since moving to our new house and having a dining room our meal times are a real occasion to switch off and just enjoy each other’s company without technology. When we eat in the kitchen with the tv on its a very different vibe altogether.
I totally agree with this. If I eat at the table I am much more likely to sit, relax, enjoy my meal and the company. On the sofa I am far too tempted to eat and work at the same time.
We sadly don’t have a dining room but I can see how it could be used as a room away from technology, that is such a good idea.
I totally agree! Well said <3 The best solution is to enjoy time without influence of technology. It's not easy. That post forces to think this is why I love your writing.
I definitely agree with you. We don’t have a dining room, but we do all sit down at the table during mealtimes, no gadgets. It’s nice & I feel an important thing to do xx
What you have written about in terms of how we have become in modern mainstream western society is so true. I love the idea that we should keep mealtimes (whether you have a dining room or not) reserved for actual enjoyment (not to mention better digestion!) of food and the interaction of real people. It certainly would help those who seem to struggle a bit with their social interaction on a personal level and improve relationships and our lives more broadly.
A thought provoking post, this. We had a dining room growing up in rural Canada and I loved our family meals around it. Things have certainly changed these days!
I wish I did use my dining table more, but I am very much the person who eats dinner on the sofa and the dining table is covered with blogging products and back drops, oops x
Oh girl I totally geet you that we need a social media detox from time to time. It’s seriously so hard these days though. I love the idea of using a dining table to detach from the social world.
Yes to this! We all need to be saved from technology and I reckon a good dining room has the power to persuade us down the route of a digital detox (at least for meal times anyway).
I have always preferred sitting down at a table for any meal, and especially when I have dinner because it is a good way to gather my thoughts at the end of the day. There is a tv against the wall and I do sometimes have it on during cooking and dinner, but my phone doesn’t get a seat.
We always used to sit down for a family meal each evening as a child and it’s something I would like to do with my children when they’re older. Certainly no technology will be allowed!
We have a dining room in our living room, and I don’t like it. If we had our table in another room I think we would walk away from tech
I have such a bad habit of eating on my own and being completely anti-social. Half the time I don’t even enjoy my food it’s just a rush to get it down. When I’m at a table however, I take the time to enjoy my food and catch up with friends/family.
in our house, the dining room is part of the living room but we always say no phones/tv on when we are at the table. It is so nice turning off from technology and enjoying each others company x
There was a rule in my home that has carried on with my own family now. No TV in the dining room so that family meals can be enjoyed and everyone can talk. That extends to all types of technology nowadays like phones and tablets. I cannot abide by a TV on while trying to have a conversation over dinner or phones on the table vibrating. It’s a rule I intend to keep for a very long time!
What a great post. We have tech in our dining area so that won’t work at the moment in our house.
A dining table is one of the things I’m most excited about getting for my new flat! It’s lovely to have the time and space to enjoy your food without interruptions from technology 🙂 I hope you’re able to have a dining room soon <3
Like you I am more into rustic interiors and hope that when I get my own place I’ll have that of decor!
Completely agree even though I’m guilty of it myself. Mealtimes are being ruined by technology, I’m going to make a conscious effort to talk more with my family.
We have a kind half a dining room that’s part of our kitchen, but it works well for us. I love being able to sit down and eat a meal with my family without any distractions.
This is something we really need to work on as a family, I’m guilty of being glued to my phone constantly which isn’t good
I think it’s important to move families away from the sofa and tv and in to the dining room to eat meals.
Great post!I had no idea dining rooms could save us from technology.
This post comes as a reminder. I’m guilty of being on the phone while in restaurants, usually clicking pictures, sharing them, etc. But I make it a point that cell phones stay away when we are having dinner at home on our dining tables. Small steps at a time 🙂
Interesting article, can definitely see your rationale here Ana. In my flat there isn’t a dining room, as the living room is large (I do have a dining table in it). But in the new house I’m buying it sounds similar to the layout of your foster mum’s (and I’m planning to decorate it in that way too), with a separate dining room. I guess that’ll be the room I’ll eat in, though as I’ll be living alone there won’t be much conversation lol x
My children have often attempted to bring tablets to the dining table…and I am disgusted at the amount of people that think that this is acceptable when going out for a family meal. For us eating together as a family is important, spending time together is important and talking is important!