The living room is just what its name implies – an area in the home where the family can be at ease, receive guests, rest in quiet amid cheerful surroundings, and be entertained. It is usually the largest and most important room in the house. It should be as comfortable as possible. In contrast to the old-fashioned “parlor,” which was used only on state occasions, and the sitting room, which was only slightly less formal, today’s room is used every day.

The living room must be so arranged that many activities can take place at one time if necessary. On entering a living room in today’s house you may find one person reading, another studying, a third listening to the radio, and several others carrying on a conversation. These are all normal activities and you must provide space for them.

Sometimes the living room is designed with definite areas established for specific activities. However, this is not too desirable, since family needs vary from to time. Usually the living room is best designed with adequate space for many activities but with no fixed space for any one activity.

The living area may include only a living room, or it may include an entrance vestibule, a living room, a dining room, a den, a family room, a recreation room, a powder room, a terrace, and a patio. The living area should be accessible from the entrance vestibule without going through the working area or the sleeping area. At the same time, the living area and its various parts should have privacy.

In designing the living area, keep in mind the sizes of the various pieces of furniture that each room is to accommodate.