As a homeowner, you’re likely to take pride in ensuring that your property not only looks its best but is also comfortable for your family and loved ones. Your approach to planning your home’s ideal layout will be largely based on how many people live in your home as well as whether you have children or not. If you have a young family, your home may end up looking very different from that of a home with teenagers or no children at all.
One of the main issues many homeowners face is whether to include a living room or a family room in their layout. This can be a little confusing as though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between these room setups. While the floor plan might be very similar and both rooms will likely feature a suite of furniture and a TV, it’s how they are used and the atmosphere in them that make them dramatically different overall.
Let’s take a look at some of the most notable differences between living rooms and family rooms so that you can select the right interior zone for you and your wider household.
A Different Atmosphere
Generally speaking, a living room is more formal than a family room. Living rooms tend to be more glamorous, elegant spaces that are suited to grown-ups and young adults enjoying a cup of tea rather than taking in some media entertainment. Family rooms, on the other hand, tend to be much more relaxed, providing your family with a comfortable space to hang out, watch TV, play with toys, and spend informal quality time together. The different atmospheres are one of the main things that set these two rooms apart.
Varying Functions
For day-to-day use, most families will opt to spend most of their time in the family room. However, in a bigger house, you may also have a living room where you can entertain guests or host events on special occasions. In a smaller home, you might need to make the choice between a living room or a dining room. The decision will largely be dictated by how you’d ideally like to use the space and how you think you and your family are likely to spend the majority of time in the room.
Identifying the preferred functionality of your space will naturally play a vital role in ensuring that you can fill that room with all of the design elements and amenities that will help you and your household reach your home design goals.
Room Locations
If a home has both a living room and a family room, they will usually be located in different areas of the home. Normally, a living room will be located inside the entrance of the home, creating a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere from the moment you and your family or other guests arrive. Contrary to this, family rooms tend to be located at the rear of properties to ensure that family members can feel comfortable using the space recreationally without worrying about being a bother to any guests.
The placement of the room in your home may also help you determine whether to design that space as a living room or a family room. If you’re still uncertain, then it’s also well worth considering what kind of atmosphere you’d like to cultivate in the entrance hall of your home and the first room that your guests are likely to occupy. Do you want this space to feel formal or informal? Your answer to this question will likely help determine if this space should be a living room or a family room.
Furniture And Design
As you might expect, living rooms and family rooms take a very different approach when it comes to interior design and furniture selection. Living rooms should be elegant, classy setups with nice art or framed photographs adorning the walls. The furniture should reflect the ambiance of the space, creating a somewhat more formal finish for your guests to enjoy.
A family room, by contrast, will usually be more laid back with photos of family holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other memorable family events scattered around throughout the space. Being comfortable and cosy should always be the focus in a family room making cushions, blankets, and throws a great addition.
What To Consider
When you are trying to decide which approach to take in your home, it’s important that you consider the number of people living in your home, their ages, and how you use the space on a day-to-day basis. If you have kids that are not yet teenagers, you will most likely want to have a family room. However, if you are a professional couple without kids, a living room might be a better choice.
You will also need to consider the size of your overall property and the best location within your home for each room to be. Having both a living room and a family room is common in larger family homes, while those with smaller properties may need to make a choice between the two options.
Make The Right Choice For Your Needs
Understanding the differences between living rooms and family rooms is crucial in helping you make the right choice for your home. Whichever path you choose to go, you need to be sure that the solution you choose will not only look great but provide you with the functionality you need. Take the time to weigh up your options chances are high you’ll be well on your way to making the perfect choice for you and your wider household.
