There are quite a few dynamic duos you may love. Peanut butter and jelly, Batman and Robin, a Caesar salad and crisp Coke. No matter what your tastes are, there are most likely several you’re imagining right now. What if we told you that family rooms and living rooms are as strong a pair as any of the twosomes you’re thinking of?
You might use the terms family room and living room interchangeably, but we believe there are some key differences that make each necessary and absolutely special. And, one complements the other, making these spaces unique and vital to creating the type of home you want to live in.
What are those differentiators, you may wonder? Well, we’re going over them in this blog, helping demystify what sets these two rooms apart.
What’s the Difference Between a Living Room and a Family Room?
Do you have a formal living room and then an awkward sitting room that you’re not sure what to do with? That’s where your family room is supposed to be. Not sure what a family room is or how to use it? First, it’s helpful to know what it’s not.
A family room isn’t meant to be formal or used for hosting. That’s where a living room comes into play. Let’s break down the key differences that separate living rooms and family rooms:
Purpose
At Decorating Den, we consider a major difference between the two spaces to be that living rooms tend to be more formal, used for entertaining, and don’t have TVs, while family rooms are more casual, meant for gathering and hosting, guests hanging out, playing games.
Like the name suggests, family rooms are family-friendly, designed for everyday use. One main component that makes family rooms less formal is that pets may be allowed on furniture and kids roam free with sticky fingers with less worry. They also tend to have TVs and a fireplace, making them extra cozy and great for those closest to you to spend time.
Location
You won’t find these two spaces in the same places in your home — and that’s on purpose. Living rooms are generally designed toward the front of your home, often right off the entryway. This makes them an ideal spot to showcase your home’s best features and give your guests a place to relax while they hang out at your home.
On the other hand, family rooms are not places your guests will stumble upon naturally. They’re often positioned at the back of your house, off the kitchen or even in the basement where your family can kick back after a long day.
Style
The style of each room differs, but still falls under your home’s overall aesthetic. However, if your house were a theater, the living room would be center stage and the family room would be backstage. Or, consider your living room the fine China used for holiday parties, whereas the family room is your everyday dishes. Style your living room with special pieces of furniture, decor and wall colors that showcase who your family is and leave the ultra comfortable fixtures and your kids’ drawings for the family room.
Layout
A family room is meant for lounging around a TV or fireplace, meaning your furniture will be positioned toward those focal points. On the flip side, your living room should be for entertaining guests. This is a great room for your friends to sit and chat with one another, which means the setup should lend itself to conversations. Face the chairs and sofa toward each other so everything is balanced, and make sure there are plenty of seating options.
The living room is positioned at the front of the house, giving guests easy access right when they enter your home. Furniture
We’ve already established your living room as a more formal living space — and that impacts your furniture choice. You might put a gorgeous chaise lounge with creamy linen fabric in this space, while reserving your favorite cushioned sofa for the family room. Additionally, a clean glass coffee table is a perfect addition to a living room, but a sturdy, water-mark-resistant option would be better for your family’s lounging space.
Ultimately, living room furniture is typically more focused on aesthetics, while family room furniture prioritizes comfort and functionality.
Entertainment
Your household needs a safe space — a haven for everyday life. That’s your family room! Make it as comfortable and functional as possible for exactly how your loved ones use it — whether that’s for late-night movie watching or building Legos on the floor. This is a high-traffic area, so ensure you have durable rugs, stain-resistant furniture and lots of table space for snacks.
The living room should be designed for a different type of entertaining. Whether you love to host a monthly dinner party or simply have the occasional friend over for drinks, your living room should feel comfortable and welcoming while also having plenty of surface area for potluck-style meals and stylish storage to tuck items away so it doesn’t feel cramped.
Do You Need Both Living and Family Rooms?
The short answer is yes. The longer answer requires a deep dive into how you use your current spaces. Would it make sense for you to have a separate space for hosting and formal living and a cozy family room where you watch TV and lounge?
If you already have two different rooms designated as living and family rooms, then you should definitely make a clear indication of which is which by how you decorate and use the space. This will not only make hosting more special, but it will also give your family a comfy area that can be your go-to for all things hanging out and spending time together.
If your home design doesn’t have separate living and family rooms — but you’re considering it — ask yourself these questions to help make up your mind:
- How often do you entertain guests?
- Do family members enjoy separate activities at the same time?
- Would having two rooms prevent noise or space conflicts (for example, when one person is gaming and the other is reading)?
- Do you prefer a screen-free living space?
- How many people live in your home?
- Would one room go unused?
- Will having two rooms add value to your home, or just more upkeep?
Creating Space for How You Live
At Decorating Den Interiors, our experienced personal decorators are all about maximizing what’s already working well in your space and using your lifestyle as inspiration. Do you love hosting lots of people but still want a space to yourself at the end of the day? Having a separate living and family room is essential. And, we can ensure these two spaces are unique and serve their purpose perfectly! No more awkward, unused areas of your home.
Find a local personal decorator to create the perfect rooms you’ll never want to leave.
The post Living Room vs Family Room: Difference and Designs appeared first on Decorating Den Interiors.
