Living room vs family room, what’s the difference?

In every house of modern society we find a place or a space where people gather all day long. This room is also the place where guests are entertained and family members come together, especially in the evenings. We are of course talking about living rooms. However, since these living rooms are more formal, there is usually also a more informal family room where family members can gather.

In this article we will look at the comparison of living room and family room and the differences between the two. There are differences in the purpose of the room, but also in the placement, design, and overall layout and layout of the room. Often people mix these two and think that there is no difference between the two.

But the truth is that there are many subtle and big differences between the two that separate them. Let’s take a look at the comparison of the living room and family room and see what is more precise.

living room

Image source: Mary Cook

First, let’s take a look at each room type and see their specifications. A living room is usually the most important room in the house and possibly the largest. It is a place where people come together and where we first take our guests with them when they visit our house. It is a kind of reception room.

It is also the room where family members come together and where we can do our everyday things, e.g. B. watch TV, chat with family members or greet guests.

family room

Image source: Lecy Bros Homes & remodeling

Family rooms are more informal. They are also a multipurpose room where people come together and family members interact. But it’s also more of a multi-purpose room where family members can also do their office work and take care of work-related problems so that it can be converted into an office if needed.

The family rooms have sofas, loungers and sofas to increase comfort. Family members can do their activities in these rooms or enjoy their time. You can see that family rooms are more informal and more focused on the family itself.

Living room vs family room

Let’s take a closer look at the living room and family room and examine them in every way.

Household situation

Image source: Marilyn Hill Interiors

The main difference is the location of each room. Living rooms are often used as a reception for guests or relatives, so it should be near the entrance to the front of the house. Family rooms, on the other hand, are more important for the family themselves and should offer more personal space. So you are most likely in the back of the house.

Image source: Susie Mae design

Family rooms are much more reserved and are mainly used by the family themselves, while living rooms are usually so large and open that everyone can gather. Therefore, it is most likely the central room of the house.

purpose

Image source: Joseph Farrell architecture

A living room is usually a much more formal room than a family room. A good example of this was the 19th^th and early 20th^th Centuries when funeral guards took place in living quarters. The purpose of living spaces is therefore far more formal than that of family rooms. Especially in smaller households, a living room can play a role in both the family and the living room. On the one hand they are used as a reception for guests, on the other hand it is a room in which the family members come together.

Image source: Wyant architecture

Family rooms, on the other hand, are far more informal. They should be used by the family members themselves to spend their free time in them. In rare cases, guests or relatives are accommodated in a family room because the main purpose of family rooms is that the family members have privacy. We usually see family rooms in combination with living rooms.

Both terms are somewhat confused today and are used synonymously. The real difference, however, lies in their purpose and location, which serves the purpose. The family rooms are located at the back of the house and are protected from noise and guests. Living rooms are usually the centerpiece of the house and a place to greet guests.

Entertainment facilities

Image source: Morrone Interiors

One of the main differences between the living room and the family room is the entertainment they offer. Since the purpose of family rooms is to relax and give family members space for themselves, they are more likely to have entertainment options. This includes technologies such as televisions, computers, tablets, game consoles and the like.

Image source: New South Home

Living rooms are primarily designed to entertain guests, so they are less likely to have all of these devices. Instead, they show elegant works of art or something else to make guests feel at home.

design

Image source: Brookfield Residential Northern California

Family rooms are more informal and comfortable. Sure, living rooms should also be comfortable, but the main goal of a family room is to relax. Therefore, it must contain various comfortable pieces of furniture such as sofas and couches. They also need to be more flexible if they are to be used by family members for different purposes.

Image source: Marvin

Living rooms are usually more sophisticated and stiffer, but still comfortable enough for guests to feel comfortable. Some living rooms have TVs, some don’t. It also has plenty of storage space for different things and a relatively classic layout.

Furnishing

Image source: Viscusi Elson interior design – Gina Viscusi Elson

The whole idea of ​​family rooms also determines their furnishings. Since they are to be used daily, ideally they should have low-maintenance and robust furniture. The furniture should be easy to clean and fairly resistant to scratches and general wear and tear, which is inevitable if you have children.

The interior of the living room, on the other hand, can be a little more stylish and refined. This applies in particular to living rooms, which mainly accommodate guests. If the living room is more of a versatile space, a good combination of the two styles is sufficient. It is often full of works of art and exhibits, and the furniture should match the style of the whole house.

decor

Image source: Carolina V. Gentry, RID

There is also a difference in the decor of these two rooms. Living rooms should definitely have a more classic look and a little more refined decor. Family rooms should be made with comfort in mind. They should make us feel at home so that warmer colors are enough.

Image source: PRP Architects

Family rooms are often more functional and therefore tend to neglect the need for exaggerated furnishings. Living rooms should have at least one exhibit and feel a little more elegant than the family room.

formality

Image source: Suk Design Group LLP

Since family rooms are used exclusively by the family, they are usually less formal than living rooms.

Are they suitable for children?

Image source: Fine Art Interiors

Family rooms are better suited for children, as they often have more robust furniture that can withstand the inevitable damage. This does not mean that living rooms are not child-friendly; They are often connected to the kitchen so that children are easier and better supervised from the kitchen.

What are the synonyms?

Synonyms for living room: living room, living room, living room

Synonyms for family rooms: Rumpusraum, Spielzimmer, Spielzimmer, Höhle etc.

Final thoughts about living room versus family room

So there we have it, these are the main differences between the living room and the family room. The lines are blurry these days, but there are still some important differences that separate the two.

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