Our house was built without one and it’s a pain when we entertain. I have no idea what the builder was thinking; I have a small kitchen, no dining room and a huge master bath room. Did they expect folks would be hanging out in there?
I know, I know, why’d I buy it? Mother-in-law in wheel chair; floor plan mostly worked.
I love my formal dining room, but I could probably live without it (if we had a differntly designed kitchen). Lots of people scoff at formal living rooms, but that’s something I won’t give up. We use it all the time when guests are here and it’s my haven from the kids, TV, toys, etc. in the “family” room.
A trend I think should definitely go by the wayside is the “garden tub” in the master bath. I admit, when we built the house I thought it would be great, but once the kids came along, it just became the big bubble bath tub. I never bother with it and don’t miss it a bit. What a space waster. Would love to remodel and have a big walk-in shower with a built-in seat and wall niches instead.