Heart of the Home

Heart of the Home: Rooms for Living In

Where is the heart of your home? Many would say, without hesitation, “the kitchen.” But some may ponder a moment, then respond “the family room.”

Growing up, we had a ‘den,’ which was the 70’s version of today’s family room. It was just off the kitchen, sunlit from three walls lined with windows. It was big enough to fit a rocking chair, two mismatched loveseats, a pea green arm chair, and a large antique sideboard used to store school workbooks, board games, jigsaw puzzles, envelopes full of photographs, dog toys, and pretty much all household junk in need of a home. The furniture lined the walls in circle formation, with a 21-inch color TV visible from every seat. We LIVED in that room. Sick days were spent napping on the loveseats. Afterschool TV specials, soap operas, prime-time sitcoms or madefor-TV movies were watched daily by my entire family. It was where we sat when friends casually stopped by. Without question, that den was the heart of our home. Fast forward to 2021, my family room serves that purpose in our home today. Same scenario, except I have a much nicer sectional, no mismatched loveseats (no offense, mom!). So, with no disrespect to the kitchen, we all know much of our lives do revolve around that room, but at the end of the day, it's the family or living room where we go to kick back and relax, watch movies with family, and entertain houseguests. When you think about it, the living room is suitably named: it's where we go to live; to just be.

Family Room vs. Living Room

They may sound like the same kind of room, and there are some overlaps, but the terms actually refer to different types of spaces that serve different purposes. Family rooms are typically less formal than living rooms. They are a comfortable space to gather and relax in, be it a large group or just you. Family rooms are also spaces where children can play. The layout and furniture need to accommodate a variety of situations. In addition to having child-friendly couches and tables, usually meaning fewer sharp edges and less exotic materials, there needs to be a good amount of open space in the middle of the room for running around and spontaneous dancing. Perhaps the family room does win the title of the heart of the home in your house...so where does that leave the living room? Runner up? Decidedly not. The living room is often that special sanctuary…a quiet place to read, sip a cup of tea or enjoy a glass of wine. Depending on your personal style and preference, your living room may be a more formal gathering place. Works of art, beautiful tables, grand light fixtures, high-end furniture and rugs can give your living room an air of elegance and sophistication. This is the room to invest in; go a little extravagant on an opulent light fixture or special piece of artwork…conversational pieces. Be it your kitchen, family or living room, the heart of your home is the space where you live, laugh and love with family and friends. It’s where memories are made. It’s the place that your heart brings you back to when your feet walk away. May yours always be blessed. - The LIST Team

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