Formal Living Rooms – Are they a relic of the past?

Formal Living Rooms Make Them Work For You

Ah, the formal living room.  The room no one ever goes in, other than to dust. It wasn’t until the early 19th century that the “Grand Salon” became the “Living Room,” and it was the name for the room where families held their most formal events.   Fast forward to the modern family lifestyle.  Things are less formal than in previous generations.  Seems like outdated use of square footage in our homes.

Homes with larger families often require rooms for various age groups. The younger ones need a play area for toys. Teens would like privacy and space for entertaining friends, studying, and gaming. The adults need a space where they can relax, read, talk, or entertain.

With today’s housing prices, we can’t afford not to use every single room in our homes.  It’s time to really look at the living room, and try to re-imagine what it could be used for.  Depending on its location in the house, there may be construction or remodeling involved in some of these suggestions.   Consider some of these ideas for repurposing that unused formal living rooms.

Convert your living room into a library or a reading room. This could be an ideal quieter spot to enjoy some seclusion for reading and would give a place to store and display your family’s books that may have accumulated in other areas in the house.  Comfy chairs, good lighting and attractive book shelves and storage would make it cozy.

Perhaps it can be transformed into a TV/ gaming/ media room, which has become increasingly popular in recent years.  Comfortable seating and surround sound systems for TV/ movie watching and video gaming can be enjoyed without disrupting the rest of the household.

How about a cocktail area or wine bar? Add a bar with seating, and decorate using a wine or beer collection as the focal point/theme.   The family piano could enjoy some use again!  Add a small table for quiet conversations, and enjoying finger foods while unwinding and reconnecting after a tough week.

Maybe a billiard and game room would make sense.  Rescue the pool table from the garage! Dust off those board games! The living room is a perfect spot for family fun, and helps encourage game night and togetherness!  With a card table and chairs, card games could be a regular event!  Poker anyone?

Create a home office or homework space.  Create an out of the way space to concentrate, study or work from home.  With desk space, storage, the computer, and good lighting, it can be used by the whole family.

How about a place for crafts and hobbies?  Living rooms can be converted to a space for sewing, quilting, model building, or any craft that requires indoor space.  Having storage for the craft supplies and space and tables, this could make great use of the space.

Are you thinking of selling or buying a home? Wonder what you home is currently worth?  Or do you just have questions about the neighborhood? Maybe you need a reference for a contractor to remodel your living room.  Whatever the reason, feel welcome to give us a call or send us an email.  We’re here to help!