Traditionally, the dining room was where the family would gather to catch up, share news, and eat.
But now it seems the door to it has been permanently closed – as even Mary Berry has admitted it is ‘easier’ to have meals in the kitchen.
The 82-year-old confessed she has ‘given up’ on her dining room, as everything revolves around the kitchen in her home.
The former Great British Bake Off host said: ‘Most of us, I think, live in the kitchen.
‘I do – the homework of my children was done there. My husband will refit a picture in there.
‘It’s worth thinking about making it a special room that really works for you.
‘The laying of the table things have got to be near the dishwasher or the sink but also near where you’re going to eat.
‘We’ve given up our dining room, finally. I don’t think my husband agreed with me.
Mary Berry (pictured), star of the Great British Bake Off, has admitted that she has ‘given up on her dining room’ in favour of the kitchen
‘We used it at Christmas time and occasionally if we’re having people round, but it’s much easier in the kitchen, isn’t it?’
It is perhaps unsurprising that the mother-of-three isn’t missing her dining room – as she has no shortage of space in her two kitchens should guests drop in.
The cook has recently decided to sell her six-bedroom mansion, which boasts an enormous 25 x 17 foot kitchen, as well as a 16 x 14 foot prep kitchen.
However, her views are not out of step with the rest of us. Only 52 per cent of us consider a dining room a necessity, according to a recent survey of 1,000 Britons.
When asked if she thinks some like to eat in the kitchen because it’s more homely, Miss Berry said: ‘I think so but also I’m quite good at dressing the kitchen up so it looks rather special.
According to a new survey only 52 per cent of Britons see their dining room as a necessity, preferring the kitchen
‘I turn the dimmer down and light the candles and my husband walks in and turns it up to see while we eat, and I walk round – it’s a bit of a play really.’
Miss Berry, who was speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival yesterday, also admitted to ignoring sell-by dates on food.
She said: ‘I was brought up in the war. There were no freezers but those sort of tips I got from my mother about using things up.
‘And also to use my nose. I don’t do sell-by dates but I have to confess if there is a pot of cream I just lift the lid and smell it.
‘If it’s all right, I have it. You do have to be careful if it is meat and keep within the dates.’
She also revealed she shops in Waitrose regularly as it is the nearest supermarket to her home and picks up the £10 dinners with wine from Marks & Spencer.