Walk into almost any home, and after a short detour through an entryway or maybe the kitchen, you’ll find some sort of living space — but what it’s called can vary widely. Depending on your region, the age of your home, or even your individual family tradition, you may hear people talk about a living room, family room, den, great room, sitting room, keeping room, or even a parlor. How can there possibly be so many names for almost the same thing?
Here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, you’ll find all the furniture you’d need to furnish any of these spaces neatly categorized under “living room”, because that is the most common term used today. However, while many of the above terms overlap, each carries a slightly different meaning with a unique history behind it. Today’s goal is to break each of them down so you’ll know exactly what’s what.
To get started, we’ve split these common (and uncommon) living space terms into two categories – formal living spaces and casual living spaces. Formal living spaces are generally meant more for entertaining guests, while the casual or informal living spaces are more intended for relaxing in the comfort of your own home. However, it’s important to keep in mind that: 1) it’s quite common for homes to have at least one formal living space and one casual living space, and 2) that it’s increasingly popular for homeowners to opt for a single informal living space while using the other room as an extra, purely functional space like a home office. Let’s dive in!
Formal Living Spaces Defined
These rooms are traditionally reserved for welcoming or entertaining guests, rather than everyday lounging:
Formal Living Room – Also known as a traditional living room, this living space is usually located at the front of the house, just off of the foyer or entryway. Formal living rooms are often more polished, more styled, and are used for guests rather than daily life.
Sitting Room – A sitting room is a smaller, more intimate living space meant for conversation, reading, or quiet relaxation. While sitting rooms in most modern homes have gradually become a little more cozy and a little less fancy, sitting rooms have traditionally functioned as somewhat formal spaces intended for hosting guests.
Parlor – A historical term popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Parlors were the formal entertaining rooms of the home – and often the nicest room in the house. If you live in an older, historical home, you just might have a parlor. Otherwise, probably not.
Drawing Room – Similar to the parlor above, a drawing room (or “withdrawing room”), is a similarly rare and historical British term that has mostly fallen out of use in America. This room was often used for entertaining guests after dinner. While not common these days, drawing rooms are occasionally still found in older or historically-inspired homes.
Casual Living Spaces Defined
By contrast, the rooms below are designed for comfort, family life, and daily use:
Family Room – Usually located near the kitchen, this living space is the hub of casual living. Family rooms often include TVs, play areas, and comfortable upholstered seating designed for everyday use.
Den – This loosely-defined term is frequently used interchangeably with the family room above, and the great room below. However, a den is a much more flexible space. Depending on the home, dens mostly serve as cozy secondary living rooms, but can also serve as media rooms, home theaters, play rooms, bonus rooms, or even home offices.
Keeping Room – A traditional Southern term, keeping rooms are frequently found in historic homes and recent constructions alike. A keeping room is a small living room or sitting area directly adjacent to the kitchen offering a place for family or guests to relax while meals are being prepared. While the official function of keeping rooms is indeed to accommodate lunch or dinner guests, it is primarily designed to be an informal, comfortable secondary living space.
Great Room – A large, open space that sometimes combines multiple functions — often connecting the kitchen, dining, and casual living areas into one expansive gathering place. Most people use this term to refer to an open-concept den or family room. Great rooms are particularly popular in newer homes with open floorplans.
Which of These Types of Living Rooms Are Right for Your Home?
Whether you call it a living room, family room, den, or something else entirely, these spaces serve as the heart of your home. Some terms are steeped in tradition, while others reflect modern lifestyles, but they all describe places where people gather, connect, or relax.
Which of these types of living spaces does your home have? Better yet, which style of living room is the best fit for your future home furnishing goals? Remember, at the end of the day, these rooms in your home are blank slates. It's up to you to define and furnish these living spaces however you want, whether that be formal or casual, to entertain guests or to be your own little piece of solitude.
At Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, we can help you find pieces that make any of your living spaces – regardless of what you call them – feel both functional and inviting. Come see us at any of our North Georgia or Metro Atlanta furniture stores today!
