Real Estate 101: Know the Difference Between Drawing Room and Living Room

There is no denying the fact that the jargonisation of real estate can be a source of huge of confusion for potential home buyers, real estate investors, and even home-owners. Even simple terms like ‘living room’, ‘drawing room’, or ‘built-up area’ can be enough to throw you off your tracks. For example, have you ever considered the difference between a drawing room and living room? Today, both these terms are often used interchangeably – but we are here to reveal it to you why that should not be the case at all. 

Simply put, a drawing room is quite different from a living room. This distinction can be easily guessed from the terminology of both as well. How? Well, a living room has ‘living’ in it, suggesting an area of your home which is more suitable for casual living. On the other hand, a drawing room is more formal in nature. It has been derived from the word ‘withdraw’ i.e., to retire from the public eye for a while. 

Anyway, let us dive deeper into the difference between drawing room and living room and clear your confusion once and for all! 

Drawing Room vs Living Room: Inside the Meaning

Now that we are firmly dabbling in real estate jargon, let us consider the definitions of each room, starting with a drawing room.

Simply put, a drawing room is a more formal type of living room whose sole purpose is to help you entertain guests or even relax with your family – albeit in a more formal, posh environment. Typically, a drawing room will be the centre of attraction of any home and tends to be lavishly furnished in order to put one’s home’s best image forward. 

In contrast, a living room is simply a more inviting and informal living area of your home where you can chill out with your loved ones, engage in social activities, watch stuff together, or just find your own corner and engage in a hobby or something your love to do. A living room is meant to be a cosy, friendly space, i.e., an alternative to your bedroom where you can make the most of your days inside your home. It is not as lavishly furnished as a drawing room, but can have more ergonomic, simpler, and cosier furniture like recliner chairs.

5 Differences Between Drawing Room and Living Room

Now that you have made it till here, you must be clear about the main difference between a drawing room and a living room. But that is just scratching the surface. Many home buyers and owners want to know how to design and decorate various spaces inside their home. Thus, knowing the more subtle differences between a drawing and a living room will help them plan their home better and make it a more comfortable, inviting, and impressive space.

1. Location: So, where are both drawing and living rooms located? Typically, a drawing room is right next to your home’s entrance. This is so that any guests that arrive can directly retire themselves to the drawing room upon entering where you can then proceed with formal socialisation. In contrast, a living room can be thought to be an extension of the dining room, and is more centrally located inside a home.
2. Purpose: The main intention of a drawing room is to provide a space for socialising and leaving an impression on visitors through your taste and style. It is commonly adorned with furniture, paintings, curtains, carpets and other decorative elements. On the hand, the living room is reserved mostly for your family and offers a space for your loved ones to socialise and recreate. 
3. Furniture: In a drawing room setup, you will find essential pieces such as a sofa set, coffee table, bookshelf, and a fireplace (if applicable) among others. These furniture items are thoughtfully arranged in order to create an inviting atmosphere that encourages conversation among guests. The living room is more about relaxation, and can have everything from reclining chairs to TV sets to a large centre table, and even storage cupboards for utility.
4. Lighting: Adequate lighting plays a role in setting the mood of a drawing room by combining both natural sunlight during daytime hours and artificial sources during darker times or evenings. It could have windows that let in sunlight, lamps that create a cosy atmosphere, or chandeliers that add a touch of elegance. A living room, on the other hand, mirrors the lighting of your private chambers, and can be brighter and more casual in nature.
5. Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential for a drawing room to keep it clean and organised. Regular tasks like dusting, vacuuming and polishing are necessary to remove dirt and stains from furniture and accessories. On the hand, maintenance of living rooms can be more spaced out as it is a more informal room and tends to be occupied more than other rooms of the house. 

Conclusion

In modern homes, the difference between drawing room and living room is getting blurred day by day. Today, it is much more difficult to tell the two apart as socialisation with friends, colleagues, neighbours, and families is much more frequent. Add to that the need for everyone to create posh interiors, and we have living rooms that look more elegant and royal than ever before. Ultimately, if you have both types of rooms in your home, count yourself lucky and learn the difference between the two in order to make the best use of these inviting living spaces!