The dining room is a public area or room designed for indoor dining for home-cooked meals. Meanwhile, the living room is a communal space entertaining both the household and guests. Some may be surprised about how these two public spaces are flexible for different activities but it does not tell that these two spaces are the same. In fact, they are far beyond being the same considering their function, design, location, arrangement, and formality. When you are given a limited space to live in, the smartest thing to do is cut off some spaces or better yet, merge them all together. For now, the best way to understand both spaces is through weighing in their significance to the household. Allow us to differentiate the dining room and living room according to our stated criteria.
Living Room
Photo from WayfairThe living room is the frontline of the house designated to welcome the guests. It is also the space where the family or household gathers around to watch television, talk, or bond. As the largest public space at home, it tends to change according to the needs of the family. Its flexibility is far more compared to the other common places inside the house. Whether it be grand or simple, the living room defines the identity of the house and the household. It reflects character and personality through design. Social activities are done allowing the household and guests to interact with one another.
Function
The living room is an interesting space where the day-to-day functions are held. It is often a formal location designed to house activities involving friends, family, and acquaintances. Its significance is a non-negotiable in designing the spaces at home. Even the smallest of households have a living room because it is a space for actual living. It is a space, big or small, that brings together the entire household through a variety of activities. The living room is designed for all types of activities including socializing, reading, watching television, listening to music, doing office work, folding clothes, and all the other chores and activities you find interesting. It may not be as private as the bedroom but it works for everything else.
Design
As soon as you enter the room, you can already identify that it is a living room. From furniture, appliances, and fixtures, the living room is a space that you will feel welcomed to without even indicating the grand gesture. The design of the space is flexible reflecting the character and hobbies of the household. With the variety of design styles already present, you can easily pick one that you think would blend with the ideal aesthetic of the space. It is the most challenging space to design but can be the most enjoyable one to design too. The living room’s design is all about exploring a variety of concepts and exhibiting the imagery based on your perspective.
Location
The living room is the most accessible space inside the house. As soon as you enter the door, you can already sight the living room from the foyer. Even though it is the most accessible, it can also be the most compassionate space ideal for private conversations. It may not be often closed with walls but most conversations are held here. When you are looking for a house or an apartment, you can easily identify that the space is a living room even without furniture and fixtures. That is how important location is for the living room. You can easily name the space even without the elements in it.
Arrangement
In terms of the arrangement of the living room, there is a variety of layouts to work with that fits both walled and open-layout houses. Furniture surrounding either a center table, fireplace, or an entertainment set. The arrangement often starts with a focal point working its way out. Living rooms are laid back and casual. There is not much room for formalities but there is a space for everything that you need. It makes room for storage, furniture, and appliances. It works with the standard arrangement that maximizes the space and makes the most of its functionality.
Formality
Within the house, there will always be room for formalities. In this case, the living room is the place to be. Since it is the frontline of the house where you welcome guests, formality takes distance from the real lifestyle of the household. Everything is required to be in order considering how it is designed for formal and casual gatherings. In some cases, the living room also houses private interactions within the household. It is understandable to have the living room in both formal and casual setups. Apart from these formal gatherings of exhibiting unnatural and uncommon activities of such.
Dining Room
The dining room is another public space inside the house where the household gathers around to eat meals. It plays an important role, especially in binding the family together to eat and have conversations after a long day of being at school or at work. By the looks of it, the dining room provides a clear definition of a functional area for hosting meals, entertaining guests, and interacting with the household. This space provides a great moment to share interests, stories, and information with people while eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner. What makes it different from being in a living room is how the people in the dining room are not attached to phones, tablets, and such.
Function
The main objective of having a dining room is to have a place shared by the household while eating meals. It holds a space where the family can bond over hot meals and promote healthy eating habits that are important, especially if you are living with children. This allows them to eat without interruption at a pace that is healthy for the metabolism and improves the communication skills of the kids. Having everyone leave their gadgets in the living room or someone else will allow them to focus on what is in front of them. These great moments with the family should be cherished as the kids grow up.
Design
The design of the dining room is not as complicated as the one in the living room. What defines its design is the dining tables with the chairs surrounding them. It is a room designated to allow the household and guests to feel comfortable and at home. We love how the cushioned chairs and large table brings the family together at the end of the day. For those living with housemates and friends, it can be a perfect space to gather around and enjoy each other’s company. The dining table is the core of the space that is a life-long remembrance. It turns the tables of how a family should interact and collaborate.
Location
The location of the dining room is also accessible but it is not the first thing you see as soon as you walk inside the house. As a public space, it is often located next to the living room. The living room often branches out to the other public places inside the house such as the veranda, dining room, and kitchen. The accessibility of all these spaces indicated a free-flowing transport to and from each space. In some houses, the dining room opens to a veranda or an alfresco for a feel of fresh air over meals. Natural lighting and ventilation are important in any space at home. Apart from being a sustainable choice, it saves energy and money for air-conditioning units. It helps in building a refreshing and vibrant ambiance for the household.
Arrangement
The arrangement of the dining room is less complicated than the other spaces inside the house. The focal point is the dining table surrounded by dining chairs. That is what the dining room is put together in any design style or concept. It is simple and straightforward. More often than not, the dining room is dominated by warm and calming building materials such as wood. Compared to the living room, the dining room’s arrangement is standard. It works for any household considering that it acts as a meeting area. It is just that the space is designated for meals and private conversations.
Formality
The dining room is a less formal functional area yet the maintenance and cleanliness should be kept at all times. Considering that this is the place where food is served, it is important to maintain order and neatness. Sweeping and dusting off should be done on a daily basis to prevent the unwanted build-up of dirt. Compared to the living room, the dining room is a place where you can be your total self while dining peacefully with the family or household.
Dining Room vs Living Room
Dining room vs living room, are they really different from one another? Yes, they are. Each space works towards catering to the household’s needs. It is their comfort that should be well-attended to by these spaces. The dining room works best in bringing the household together through warm-cooked meals. On the other hand, the living room is held accountable for welcoming the household and guests.
