In most households, there is one room that stands out. It is the room where we watch TV, unwind after a meal, and spend time together as a family in the evenings and downtime. I am of course talking about the living room… or is it the family room? Maybe it’s the sitting room? Or how about the drawing room?
The naming of this room is a strange subject and there are many misconceptions about what different room names traditionally mean. In this article, I look specifically at the family room vs living room mystery to see if these things mean the same thing, or if they are something entirely different!
The Formal Living Room – For Entertaining
Now, I have a little contention with what traditions dictate as my family has ALWAYS called the main room where we relax and unwind, the living room. Not once have we referred to it as a family room!
However, historically, the living room is seen as a formal place for entertaining guests or where you gather for special occasions! This is more in a historical context, however, as in ages past, households would have a separate family room and living room and thus a distinction in the names was required.
Today, in the UK, many households do not have a separate “living room” but instead may have a main room and a dining room. Thus, in most instances in the UK when we talk about a living room, we indeed mean what is traditionally described as the family room!
So, historically, a living room was more formal and didn’t have an entertainment system, nor would it be used as often. It would usually be at the front of the house so that you could show off to guests whereas the family room might be further back as it was deemed your personal space.
I found this intriguing as the name “living room” actually suggests it’s where you live and spend lots of time and this is how the name has evolved into modern-day use.
The Family Room – For Everyday Use and Comfort
Historically, the family room is what most people in the UK would now call their living room! The family room was the personal space where you would spend most of your time.
As mentioned, it would be pushed further back and not as easily accessible by guests to give your family privacy. It would also be comfortably furnished with armchairs and sofas so that people could unwind.
Today, I feel that the term family room is not as popular in the UK, and it has largely been replaced by the word living room. You could say that the use of the word has evolved and that in modern households, the living room and family room are essentially the same thing.
How to Decorate Your Living Room or Family Room
I’m sticking with the line that the living room and family room once meant something different, but due to a change in architecture and housebuilding, they now essentially both mean an informal room where your family relaxes and spends most of their time!
So, how do you decorate such a room? There are some essentials such as living room carpets in the UK, furniture, and an entertainment system. These are a given and I guarantee that 95% of UK living rooms have at least two of these things! Other important items include:
- Ceiling lighting.
- Window dressings (curtains or blinds).
- Coffee table.
- Side tables.
- Storage.
- Artwork and decorations.
The mainstay of most living rooms or family rooms is a set of furniture such as two sofas, a coffee table, and a TV on a stand. This is the quintessential British living space as this configuration allows all the family to sit together, relax, and watch some TV in the evening.
Other decorations and furniture are more personal and are generally added to suit your family’s lifestyle, tastes, and decor preferences. In the family room vs living room debate, the winner is always comfort and functionality!
Whatever the Name, Make Your Main Room Your Own
I hope you now have some insight into the family room vs living room mystery and can see that traditionally, these two rooms have slightly different purposes.
Historically, living rooms are used in a more formal context – for entertainment, and having guests. In contrast, family rooms give a more informal and relaxed atmosphere, where we typically unwind and spend time together.
Today, however, the terms are largely interchangeable and in the UK, family room and living room essentially mean the same thing. Ultimately, a name is just that – a name. What’s important is that you design and decorate the living space to suit your family’s needs and make it fit your typical routine!
