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This is a Family Room (Be Confused No More)

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There is a huge difference between a family room and a living room. For many decades, people have been confused when asked to describe the difference between these two. Both spaces are places where people can socialize and gather. The open space layout that is now an in thing in design also made the issue even more complicated.

Formal living rooms the more casual version which is the family room, still both exist. The main differences between these two can be seen in their function, layout, and their placement.

Location

A living room is often situated in front of a home. This is often near the entryway and is often used to welcome guests and to entertain them during formal occasions.

The family room, on the other hand, is often located at the back of a house. It is near the kitchen and usually adjacent to the patio, deck or any outdoor space. This room is just reserved for the family and is often used daily. At times, close friends and relatives can be entertained there, too, although the gathering has to be casual.

Casual or Formal?

The furnishings in a family room and the living room are often the same in terms of function. Since these are both spaces where people gather or socialize, they both have seating units such as a group of chairs or a couch.

In a family room, though, the furnishings zero in on comfort and a more casual, laidback appearance. This is a spot where you are likelier to see recliners and plush, comfy sofas. In the living room, furnishings are often more stylish and, yes, a lot more formal. For instance, wingback chairs are quite popular in living rooms.

The living room is also a spot where family heirlooms are typically found (e.g. a grand piano; an old, valuable painting; wooden chest; etc.).

To Entertain or Not to Entertain

Family rooms, since they are casual, are the zones where the family gathers to play games or to watch their favorite TV shows. The family can also set up the DVD player and sound systems there. They can have this zone stocked with the classic and modern movies.

In the more formal living room, these essentials are not found. Here, you are likelier to find pieces of art and family portraits.

The Décor

A lot of modern homes now blur the differences between living rooms and the family room. It is appropriate to still define the difference between these spaces so that the proper tone and, eventually, the theme can be set.

The family room should have warm and inviting hues. It must also have plush and the most comfortable furniture pieces. It can also come with an entertainment system and lines of bookshelves.

The family can also be a space where immediate family members can relax and enjoy. Here, they can unwind and just be themselves without putting their best foot forward.

The living room must come with as different mood. This is a place for that elegant leather sectional. This is also the right spot to put that antique chaise. This is also a room where you can appropriately welcome your dinner party guests or even host your holiday get-togethers.

How to Arrange Family Room Furniture

The arrangement of the furniture all begins with the definition of a focal point. If the room comes with a fireplace then it automatically becomes the focal piece. However, having a TV set in there could cause a bit of confusion.

To avoid this confusing scenario, have the TV and the fireplace on different walls then have the other furniture pieces arranged toward the television.

Remember to place the biggest furniture opposite your focal point.

Next, be sure to create a conversation zone. Add a coffee table in front of your couch then set up some storage units for your board games and set up the shelves for some books.

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This entry was posted on Friday, January 19th, 2018 at 8:16 am and is filed under Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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