We all have this space in our house that we call a living room. It’s where we park ourselves to relax after a long day of work. It’s the room where the family comes together to spend some quality time. What if we told you that the living room was not created for this purpose? The room you are looking for is called the “family room.” It’s in the name.
Makes you wonder doesn’t it if there’s any difference between these two rooms.
Not all houses have family rooms! In fact, you will mostly find a family room in big houses that have plenty of rooms.
Often, people use the terms interchangeably, which is why we don’t really know the difference between the two rooms. In the battle living room vs. family room, both rooms serve a different purpose.
Let’s begin shall we:
Difference #1: Explaining the Room
The first difference that sets them apart is the vibe of the rooms. When you enter the living room, you seek out comfort and when you enter the family room, you want to simply have fun.
· Living Room
The living room is one of the biggest rooms in the house. In the 17th century, it was considered as parlor that was reserved solely for the purpose of entertaining guests in a formal manner.
The room’s purpose slowly morphed into something more casual. Depending on how big the house is, the living room can be a place for relaxing or for formal gatherings.
· Family Room
The family room is in actual a room where the family members convene and spend quality time together without any distractions such as a TV or computer. A family room is a highly relaxed space that is kid-friendly. It tends to be cozy and contains elements that reflect every family member’s personality.
Difference #2: The Location
The second difference is the location of the room. The living room tends to be more spacious than other rooms and, in most houses, has an open floor plan. On the other hand, the family room is much cozier.
· Living Room
The living room is the heart of the house. In most houses, it is the first room you step into after entering the house. Often, the living room is connected to the dining room, which presents an informal option for family members to eat their food sitting on the couch while watching TV.
· Family Room
Coming to the family room, it often adjoins the kitchen and in some cases is actually a part of the kitchen. You will find that big houses have a family room that faces the courtyard or garden, which is divided by a sliding glass door or simply a screen.
Difference #3: Function
The third difference is the purpose both rooms serve. Keeping in mind comfort and easy, the family room comes out at the top.
· Living Room
Even though we distinguished the two rooms based on comfort, there is a level they both fall on. The living room is a formal area, where you invite guests and relatives. Here’s where you chit chat and have hi-tea.
· Family Room
Let’s assume that there’s a family matter that needs discussing. You want all the family members to be in their comfort zone, so that tension doesn’t rise when the discussion becomes heated.
A family room is perfect for such meetings but that’s not its only purpose. This is where the family comes together — kids play board games, teens listen to music, men and women try to tackle work-related issues, etc.
Difference #4: Design
The fourth and most important difference is the design. There a couple of things that clearly set the living room and family room apart.
· Living Room
You will find an entertainment center in every living room. Some people even like to keep a computer in the room for quick work. The décor is less personal and has a theme to it, mostly artwork such as abstract paintings. The sofa set plain and simple with no side tables. The coffee table in the middle usually has an ashtray and a couple of magazines placed in it.
· Family Room
A family room is very personal as it boasts shelves upon shelves with family photos, trophies, and other things. In most houses, there are recliners in a family room for relaxing. The sofas are piled with throw pillow and there are huge seating cushions on the floor.
This brings us to the conclusion that there are plenty of things that set both rooms apart. Where a living room is formal, the family room is informal, a living room is functional, the family room is comfortable, and the list goes on. If you are looking for more informatory articles such as these or ideas on how to decorate your house, then visit Epic Home Ideas.
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