In winter, house-hunters look for good insulation and a dependable furnace. In spring, a nicely landscaped garden may clinch the deal. In summer, buyers flock to houses with shady patios or air conditioning. Around Thanksgiving, the formal dining room takes center stage. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 10.
Size is a major factor.
A large home may have butler's pantry, a storage area between the kitchen and dining room. And when serving a crowd that exceeds the supply of chairs, a built-in window seat can be handy. Wainscoting and plate rails are popular decorative features, adding a formal and traditional look to a dining area. Wainscoting also serves a practical purpose, protecting walls from dings caused by dining chairs. Plate rails provide a place to display heirloom dishes or colorful knickknacks.