In multi-room homes, the family room is generally the less formal, both in function and decor, and is positioned away from the main entrance, whereas the living room is usually the more formal, designated for visitors, special occasions, and the display of goods such as antiques or artwork. However, both rooms are used for entertaining and socializing with friends and family.
The family room tends to be a more casual space that works well with relaxed attire and often has a comfortable seating area with the option for extra chairs to be brought in when needed. The living room on the other hand, is usually decorated with style and formality in mind, so it's recommended that clothing be worn that is appropriate for a dinner party or event. Often, there is a distinction made between the types of furniture used in each room, with the family room being less structured and more open concept while the living room tends to have a lot more accessorized pieces including sofas and armchairs.
These are just some examples of how the family room and living room can be defined. What they have in common is that they're both spaces where people spend time with friends and family. Whether you call it a family room or a living room doesn't matter - what matters is that you use it every day for fun and entertainment.
"The family room is a more informal, day-to-day space to go watch television, chill out, and spend time with your family," Carrie Long, principal of Carrie Long Interiors, explains. "The living room is a more formal setting, mainly for entertaining visitors or spending time with extended family."
These are only suggestions; you should use your best judgment based on what kind of home you want to live in. If you have a small house and don't need a lot of room, then you shouldn't feel obligated to have a family room or living room. However, if you do want more space for relaxing or entertaining, then these rooms are the way to go.
Family rooms are usually located off of the main living area of the house, such as a kitchen, dining room, or living room. They often include a couch that can be used as a bed, a TV, and other furniture such as bookcases that may be filled with books or toys. Family rooms are also often equipped with a fireplace or another form of heating/cooling system.
People usually think of a family room as being necessary because they want to show off their entertainment equipment or have a place where guests can sit and have a drink or dessert before going home. But it can also be used for more private activities such as watching television or reading. The important thing is that you enjoy using this room and find ways to make it useful.
The family room is intended to be a gathering space for family and guests to engage in group activities such as conversing, reading, watching TV, and other family activities. The family room is frequently located adjacent to the kitchen and, at times, flows into it with no visual breaks. In other cases, there may be a family room that is entirely separate from the kitchen and, if so, it usually has its own door leading out to the rest of the house.
The informal lounge is where you go when you want to relax and read a book or magazine, or just veg out in front of the television. This space can be part of the main house or a separate apartment-style element. It often has a sofa and/or chair, a coffee table, and perhaps a small table for eating meals. There might also be a stereo system here for listening to music or audio books. A large-screen TV is usually mounted on the wall above the couch.
In most cases, the family room and the informal lounge are used interchangeably by families who live in single-story houses. However, in some cases they could be separated by a partition or even have different entrance doors. For example, one parent might use the family room during the week and have the informal lounge on weekends. Or maybe the mother does housework in the family room on Thursday nights and goes about her business as usual on Friday and Saturday mornings.
When it comes to decorating, the living room is undoubtedly the most significant room in the house. It is the area where you entertain friends and loved ones, and it is the place where families spend the majority of their at-home time together after the kitchen. It is your house, and it must be suitable for you. Thus, when designing your living room, make sure that you include features that will help make the space comfortable and convenient for you and your family.
The first thing you need to understand about why the living room is important is that it is not a single object or feature that makes the room special. The living room is defined by its purpose: it is where you live out your life's adventures with those close to you. Thus, instead of focusing on one specific aspect of the room, take a look at how you can improve everything together. This way, the entire space will feel like one big, cohesive unit rather than several separate rooms connected only by doors.
Also, keep in mind that the living room does not have to be empty all the time. In fact, research shows that furnished bedrooms are the most used room in the house after the kitchen! Thus, if you want to give your living room some life, then try adding some furniture such as a sofa, chair, or table. These simple additions will help create a more intimate environment that allows you to relax and enjoy your home even when there are no guests around.
A conventional living room is a formal location in a house where visitors are entertained. A living room is only used for formal entertaining, but a great room may be used for entertainment, amusement, and relaxation. Great rooms are significantly more informal than living rooms and are intended to be utilized on a daily basis. They may include furniture such as sofas, chairs, and tables rather than being dedicated spaces.
In addition to use, great rooms and living rooms also differ in size. A great room can be much larger than a living room, which usually measures about 50 feet by 80 feet. Decorations, art, and other objects not needed for viewing television or playing music should be removed from view. These items should be stored in a closet or some other out of the way place.
Living rooms are generally designed to be comfortable places in which to sit down and relax after a hard day's work or play. They often have large windows or glass doors that let in lots of light and provide views outside. Music is often played in living rooms to create a soothing atmosphere. In smaller homes, several smallish rooms may be combined to form a living room.
Some people prefer to divide their living rooms into two separate areas: one for television watching and music listening and another for socializing with friends or family. But this isn't necessary; it's up to you how you want to decorate and use your living room.