Though their uses are similar, there are distinctions between the two spacesespecially when buying or selling your home.
Family Room vs. American homes have certainly changed since then.
Of course, just because were using our homes differently doesnt mean the definition has changed.
Credit: Nathan Schroder Photography
Living rooms and family rooms still have different purposes.
Historically, the family room is the place to let your hair down and get comfortable, Pasquella says.
The living room, on the other hand, is a bit more formal.
Credit: Joyelle West
The decor is usually less lived-in than the family room, with clean lines and everything in its place.
These are the rooms you were conditioned to stay out of when you were little, Pasquella says.
Maybe youre working from home now and the living room now has a computer setup and a desk treadmill.
Credit: Melanie Acevedo
Or perhaps youve added a TV to both rooms.
As construction changes, some newer homes only have one great room, she says.
With modern architecture andopen space livingcame the blurring of the lines of clearly delineated rooms."
Family Room vs. Having the living room up front is strategic, too.
Living rooms are designed towards the front of the house.
Family room is a personal space that family members generally use for their day-to-day activities.
These are usually located in the back of the house and serve as comfort spaces, Capozzolo says.
Youll notice a few architectural differences between the two, though this has changed over the years.
Square footage can be one of the most valuable elements of a home, Pasquella says.
Buyers view more square footage as a larger blank canvas to put their own fingerprint.
More square footage also can mean a simpler remodel opportunity that avoids costly and time-sucking permitting and construction.
Capozzolo says homes with both rooms are typically bigger overall and get a better price.
Both spaces could add a 15% increment to the overall value, he said.
Previous generations used to entertain in the living room in a more formal setting, she says.
Think of how a new buyer might want to use the spaces more flexibly.
