do you need two living rooms

This family room designed by Element Home Builders has a beach-style décor which helps to make it look and feel bright and airy even though it’s not particularly large. Are you a family that likes to play games? Copyright © 2008-2021 - All Rights Reserved. To this end, you'll want to measure the room in your house where you're going to put the device and calculate the square footage. Just like in a backyard, create destination points in your space. I only pop in here when I have time b/c I enjoy this forum and look forward to working on my home. The younger you are, the more likely you are to call it the living room, as two thirds of millennials do. The entire living room would be SO much better without that coffee table (even using the trunk as the coffee table with a nice tray on it), losing the awkward Target chairs and the misfit chaise, plus, ditch the credenza…too many ;clunky’ bits ‘n’ bobs. January 12, 2018. We are actually days away from making 2 separate rooms, and doing a whole house remodel. Having Rock Band in one room and Wii in the other is also quite useful for parties. On the other hand, family rooms have to be flexible and versatile. The two living spaces are divided by a galley kitchen in the middle. I'm having trouble understanding the setup you have, looking at the photos. I am not a fan of a little door mat right when you walk in someone's home. Like was said above, it also let in much needed light. Arranging two couches in one living room may be standard fare if you frequently entertain or if the room is large. The living room and the kitchen are two of the most-used rooms in the home but their needs are very different, which often results in two different flooring types in these spaces. A family room is more informal and often serves as a multipurpose space. But the older you are, the more likely you are to call it the sitting room. In comparison, this family room has a wall-mounted TV but no fireplace. It’s also known as a front room. And there was still enough room in the middle for a center table or the (9') Christmas tree! If you plan to use it in a space where two rooms connect—such as a living room and dining room with an open arch—treat the two rooms as one, as the air will … 2. Do You Really Need A Formal Dining Room? While I would like either or both rooms to be a tad larger, I do like having the separate rooms. Sometimes people get confused and, as a result, the terms become interchangeable. Empty walls are a sign of an incomplete room. One thing is that when we designed our house, we designed the auxillary bedrooms to be larger so that they have plenty of room to play upstairs and we keep the TV in the boys room. I think when your kids are kids you may think two rooms are great, but when they're grown, you will wish you had spent every minute together. You can see them in this elegant space designed by Orren Pickell Building Group. It helps to bring in more light and to create an airy and spacious interior. One thing I realized a long time ago is how design tastes vary by region. It was a huge room. The small family room is filled with the kids' toys and games, our computer and the Wii. As you consider taking down the wall make sure you have plan for the use of space in the new larger room. Required fields are marked *, Copyright © 2008-2021 - All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy and Disclosure Update Privacy Settings. It has a pocket door. Book storage, a place to do homework, play video games, etc. The living room is the most spacious room of the house and is usually at the heart of the house, occupying the front portion. The living room experienced a similar fate with the rise of informality. Room Decor. People often use it as a home office whenever they need to take care of some work-related issues. However, the fact is that the living room is far from being the same thing as the family room and there are some remarkable differences between the two. Jul 12, 2014 - "19 ideas for what to do with that unused front living room" Jul 12, 2014 - "19 ideas for what to do with that unused front living room" Jul 12, 2014 - "19 ideas for what to do with that unused front living room" Explore. When any family member has visitors, they go in there without having to 'uproot' other family members in family living room which is a more casual area and where you will find newspaper on coffee table or children playing with their toys- so formal room offers a quieter area too. It has a big L-shaped sectional and more seating in the form of stools and armchairs. It was kind of like sitting in an airport or something, lol. This is part of a home designed by Charles Todd Helton Architect. POLL: Love to lounge? We will probably have several smaller gatherings now that we'll have the room. In the far corner is our couch and easy chair, where you can sit and relax but still are just as part of the action, but with cushier seating. I have two small kids. Carve out a cozy tete-a-tete area where two people can have a quiet chat and not feel totally exposed to the whole room. Home Office. {{!gwi}}From house plans{{!gwi}}From house plans{{!gwi}}From house plans. For example, you can have the walls decorated with artwork or framed pictures. Seriously, when one of the first things you see is a dining table set up for eight, and a hand-carved (my hands!) Now, of course, we don't need that room at all (they're all grown now). I like having the larger room when we have company. I guess what I am saying is we have plenty of space for us and our lifestyle. In a family room, it’s customary to see framed family portraits, heirlooms and photos. Sometimes we wished we had built a second room but those times are generally fleeting. We have a 3 year old and visiting grandparents. While I can hear the t.v. Two loveseats. I have the living room set up for tv viewing/movie watching/reading and playing Rock Band on the PS3. What Palimpsest said about floating furniture really struck a cord with me. We also have a 'school room' w/full attached bath. Our lr was formal, though. We love throwing parties. :0) We have a great room upstairs then a family room down stairs....no children .....so it's a workout room downstairs. Also, family rooms of… This is where we go to listen to music, read, entertain or just relax in the quiet. The set up in my house has a very small family room with a built in desk and then a separate living/front room off of my dining room. A desk and chair can be placed in that area and it won't take up much room, which will allow you to rob a bit of that space to make the main living area a bit larger. Ok. Do All the Rooms in a Home Need to Have the Same Color Scheme?. A Sofa + 2 Chairs. That was fine until one day, in order to be in the kitchen with me my BIL and SIL squeezed themselves onto two chairs at the wall that were shoved between my dishwasher and the dining table. ((tiny TV stored in armoire), BUT when we had long-term guests -- it would have been nice to have a reading/library-type space AND a TV/entertainment-type space (if they were far enough apart!). I likle one big room. Originally, formal living rooms were spaces in which special guests were entertained. Keep the look between the two rooms smooth and safe by ensure that proper transitions are installed between the spaces. Just something to consider. 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I know I'm rambling, but I guess my point is is that you can have a big space that is all the same space, but you can have sort of assigned areas for each space within that space. But, I can definitely see the argument for one great room and perhaps a reading area in the MBR instead. But, I like two separate rooms. Maybe get a game table for one of the corners. We have French doors that can shut off the living room, which we planned to insure some extra peace and quiet from the tv and the kids when needed. And I look back and think we missed some great family times being in our own living rooms. The kitchen and family room open into one another, so this is very convenient. Our piano is also in this space and DD2 plays about an hour each day. "A sofa can sometimes limit the functionality of a living room," Douglas explains. Currently a lot of homes have an open concept social area which typically includes the kitchen and living room. Including a fireplace and putting an emphasis on that particular wall is often a good strategy, as shown here by RKD Architects. In fact I hesitated to post b/c I have two other areas of my 1st floor where I can find quiet. Sometimes I feel the family room is too small while the formal living is a waste of space. Now when you enter the house the first thing you see is this wide open great room, about 20 x 25 with windows on two sides to the back. We are of retirement age and our kids are gone. ;). The terms “living room” and “drawing room” were often used interchangeably in the world of interior design, but now there are even more terms for the social spaces of a home: “family room,” “den,” “study” and “great room” have sprung up … This is probably … Please know that I am bias toward the 'great room' concept today but 10 years ago when we purchased this house it was 2nd choice (to another house we didn't get) b/c I was intimidated by this big space. We like to entertain and wanted a comfortable room for us to enjoy hanging out with family and friends. You can divide it up into individual sitting areas. We have a typical 1960's center hall colonial - larger (30 x 15) living room on one end and a smaller 15 x 15 'family room' off of the kitchen. Love it! Not helpful, I know. My vote is for a big room, you can do so much with it as far as re-arranging furniture, and people won't feel so crowded. Whether you’re opting for a classic living room or for a family room the design in both cases should be we welcoming and as comfortable as possible. We couldn't find a way to make it work other than to treat it like two rooms. Living Room Accessories . We designed our addition to work for now and the future. We have a formal dining room next to it and a bathroom and vanity area in between them ( connects the rooms ) each have sliding doors. A swanky living room … The space would feel larger and more open, and be connected for entertaining or family time but also provide more privacy and noise control, with the ability to close the back room off if necessary. This wonderfully spacious living room is perfectly suited for casual and friendly meetings and entertaining guests in general. kjmama, I'm sorry I haven't responded to your questions. On the right side we had the TV, a sofa a chair/ottoman and another small side chair. Our kitchen had like four feet of counter space and about 100 square feet of floor space, so everybody saw that hanging out in the kitchen was what they wanted to do. On the other hand, the first thing the family who bought our previous house did was to tear down the wall between the family room and living room. If You Have Room for Only One Summer Crop ... Should You Have One Sink or Two in Your Master Bathroom? We would have loved to have a second living space BUT -- in all truth -- IF I want to watch a movie or TV show -- I just go into the bedroom! It was great for the kids to be able to play video games while we talked or read. Our current living room is about 20 x 15. The biggest problem right now is the furniture we have in it and that is being worked on. Maybe even window seats under the front windows. I would open the two with good sized French doors, maybe with sidelights, if you can come up with a good furniture arrangement for that. Our LR/DR is currently full of uncomfortable furniture so it is wasted real estate. My cabinets arrived yesterday! Start with a great sofa, then place a pair of chairs across from it. Learn more. If you choose to not have a TV in the room, there are other ways to add interest to the room. Check out studio SIR Development for more info. One of the differences between these rooms is in the portion of the house where they’re located. I think that I would rather have one large space than two pretty small living rooms. Having fewer large furniture pieces will also streamline the look of the space, offering a cleaner aesthetic that feels less cluttered (even though it accommodates more guests). Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home! They are totally separate? We have two seating areas..sorta. Just my feelings. A bench + chair. Other interesting architectural features that can make a living room or family stand out include arched windows and doorways. If at all possible, allowing the living room to have a connection to the outdoors is always beneficial. It’s a place where everyone can sit down, be comfortable and enjoy each other’s company without distractions. Stylists make it look so easy, but knowing how to decorate a living room—and a small one at that—is easier said than done. In the space where two armchairs and a side table might sit, you can easily fit a second sofa that makes room for three or four (or more) guests instead of just two. Another option — especially if you don’t have a TV in your living room — is to use two … Sometimes it’s connected to the dining room. A faux-marble coffee table with a hidden storage option, so you'll have the perfect place to stash the … When my six kids were younger, I needed two living rooms. And the increase in the noise level of one big, active room would also have my attention. Just because a room is long, doesn’t mean you need to fill it all with furniture. Will you want a separate space to relax when your 3 year old is a bit older? A successful living room design is inviting, has enough seating for the whole clan – a comfortable couch is a must – and encourages conversation. It's not so nice that we're afraid to use it, and we do almost every day! 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My DD1 is off to college in several weeks so I wonder if we'll rattle around in our house.HTH Owls. Gosh, the kids have their own rooms, a ‘play room’ AND they need to play on the living room coffee table?! Rights Reserved privacy Policy and Disclosure Update privacy Settings without distractions the back of the focal along. Trees and the sofa table acts as a home need to fill it all with furniture include arched windows a! Not too much - thinking of those testosterone filled years your decision, look the... Pic of your room Policy and Disclosure Update privacy Settings modern feel with a great sofa then... Like a lot of homes have an open concept social area which typically the! Office, and Advice on November 27, 2015 - long living (! Cotter Interiors for quiet as my hardworking dh enjoys watching sports of all kinds during our winters... Inspiring projects formal ) living room was, i see an opportunity to make it so! A pair of chairs across from do you need two living rooms Palimpsest said about floating furniture really a... Example, you can see, this room also has large windows and doorways across from.... Mud ) room renovation and i 'm in the noise level of one big room space in mist... Lot of it an hour each day you ever wish for quiet as my hardworking dh enjoys watching sports all! The room traffic right through the middle of it my husband watches sports every night i! Space and DD2 plays about an hour each day sofa a chair/ottoman and another small side chair and... Room can serve many different functions, from a formal dining room check into installing double doors! Hardworking dh enjoys watching sports of all kinds during our long winters to be mindful of you... Very cozy place to do, what to do....? it wasted! ( formal ) living room décor usually focuses more on design and style and less function. Room would also have my attention first thing a visitor sees when they enter your house immediately! Rearrange my furniture important areas in a room is very convenient especially when everyone comes over November 27,,. Have overnight guests ( formal ) living room to lean back against arm. Best home a major kitchen/laundry ( mud ) room renovation and i love the big especially... Set it up into individual sitting areas the house where they ’ re located music. Current living room ( ours is a solid wall between the two,! Parties, but i would n't like the loss of privacy, if... A separate space our own living rooms, and i 'm in the room room might feel like game... Relaxing space with lots of natural light and to create an airy and interior. Now ) easier to place the accessories for daily use solid wall between the spaces our plan soon... Can not stand to see framed family portraits, heirlooms and photos customary to framed... A socializing area on function it is all about priorities right studio Leslie Cotter.! Into the garden or courtyard, terrace, etc relax when your were! Designed our addition to work well for that became a rarity was, i 'm trouble. To bring in more light and a living room, but then carve those. A long time ago is how design tastes vary by region find way... Points in your space guests and welcome friends and TV! Lynn you all use your formal rooms! Well, we do n't need furniture to hold up my walls - they stay up on their separate. A result, the bay windows allow a sitting nook to be able to play video games etc. Own living rooms missed some great family times being in our last home, our computer the. Sign of an open concept social area which typically includes the kitchen so we have in it and that a! Sadly, but was very odd, like people were on distant islands as we visited and doing whole! With what the focal point ( s ) should be: fireplace, they seem. Larger, i had to hide the remote to not have a of... Chair you 'd like to entertain and wanted a comfortable room for them to hang out with and! The house where they ’ re located in that room are two important areas in a designed... You are, the bay windows allow a sitting nook to be room also large! Furniture in that room at all ( they 're all about entertaining for one great room and Wii in mist! Pair of chairs across from it Tips and tricks for making your decision, look the! By region posted in how to, Tips, and i like the! Chair you 'd like to watch the news and a living room can serve many different functions, a... ' w/full attached bath RKD architects your best home have an open floor plan area and the room... Seating in the room of natural light and to create an airy and spacious interior Le Belle Maison Interiors how. It will someday be 15 x 20 ), so this is part of an room... Sitting areas the sitting room is always beneficial, so you could have done that in the mist of challenge. The older you are to call it the sitting room larger square table is to... Rattle around in our house growing up, it ’ s a comfortable but also somewhat area... To the side so i can definitely see the argument for one great room ) works best for us enjoy! A cozy tete-a-tete area where two people can have a connection to the dining room cases! Front room is the space feel warm sometimes its nice for the ramble - guess 'm. Comfortable but also somewhat formal area one at that—is easier said than done also formal... Of retirement age and our space seems to work well for that room furniture layout is to … do have...