Data shared by market research company Mintel shows that traditional dinner times are becoming less favoured.

Recent data from Mintel reveals adults and children eat at the same time in just 68% of families in 2022.

This figure has seen a decrease from the 78% of families that reported eating together in Mintel’s Families - UK, 2016 Report.

A tradition once formed as a time for families to sit together and catch up is slowly changing to suit the modern-day family’s needs.

This opposes the Mintel Report consensus that families are spending more time together since the 2019 COVID pandemic.

The report suggests this may be due to the upheaval of family routines causing a change in eating patterns, as well as parents wanting to enjoy a more peaceful, child-free dinner alone or with their partner.

The data also indicates that 36% of parents do not eat the same meal as their children and families with young children in the household are most likely to have different meals.

Why has there been a change in family mealtimes?

Dining expert Tom St Quintin from Furniture Village suggests: “The pandemic forced all of us into different routines, from working at home to spending less time socialising outside of the household. Therefore, its natural mealtimes and our other daily routines changed.”

The report reveals for those families not eating the same meals, the main reasons are likely to be differing tastes and dietary requirements. As well as a change in habit or routine.

When families eat separately, they are also more likely to move to the sofa. This likely reflects parents using mealtimes as a time to relax in front of the TV, and children wanting to spend more time watching TV.

What is the expected future of mealtimes?

Family dinners can often feel like a chore for those with fussy eaters, or conflicting schedules making it harder for families to spend this time together. What was seen as a traditional way for families to catch up around the dinner table is adapting to a more modern lifestyle fitting around busy families.

Tom said: “Everyone’s family dynamic is completely different when it comes to meal times, and it’s important to understand what works best for you and your family.

“Understanding your own family dynamics and routines can help you when it comes to furnishing your homes. Maybe a smaller kitchen or dining table would better suit your space if your family eat at different times.

“Alternatively, if you often eat dinner on the sofa could a coffee table help to provide additional surfaces for you to use within the room? Understanding your family routines and designing your home around them is important, rather than designing your home around what is perceived as the norm.”

Relevant Links:

Furniture Village: https://www.furniturevillage.co.uk

Space Saving Dining Tables: https://www.furniturevillage.co.uk/dining-room/dining-tables/space-saving-dining-tables

Coffee Tables: https://www.furniturevillage.co.uk/living-room/tables/coffee-tables

For more information

Laura Willcox

tmwi, acting on behalf of Furniture Village

outreach@tmwi.co.uk

01789 404180

Note to editors:

Furniture Village is one of Britain's largest independent furniture retailers with 54 stores nationwide. Since 1989, they have remained a strong family business, offering high-quality, beautifully designed furniture at a great price.

Tags

More Like This

Has fussiness ruined the family dinner? More than half of Brits eat different or altered dishes while dining together

The Much-Needed Scoop on Britain’s Most Popular Dining Room Trends

Furniture Village share their top 5 tips for getting your dining room organised for Christmas

Research results reveal UK dinner time deadlock

Dining Expert Predictions: Dining Room Trends of 2023

KAYAK and OpenTable launch the ultimate guide to solo travel and dining

The Digital Dining Era: Nearly three quarters (74%) of Brits use apps or websites as go-to for meals or beverages

These Dining Room Colour Trends Are Everywhere This Year