The formal living room was once considered an essential space in the home. It was meant for entertaining guests, celebrating special occasions, or simply carving out an elegant space that was free of clutter, TV sets, and other day-to-day distractions. But today, designers say the formal living room is out of style.
Homeowners today generally don’t need a formal living room, according to designers. As more and more people lean into design that’s personal and practical, the idea of a room that’s expensive to decorate and not used daily seems less appealing to many people.
While prior generations may have felt it was necessary to have a formal living room for entertaining guests, designers note the culture around gatherings has become more casual over time. At a party or family holiday gathering, most people wouldn’t think twice about pulling up a chair at the kitchen counter or sitting down on the family’s sofa to catch up with a friend.
If your home’s layout includes two living areas, designers say you can use one of them as a living room and one as something more practical for modern-day living—think a bar room, game room, a study, a home gym, or another space that supports the way you actually live.
Below, experts explain why the formal living room is out of style.
Why Designers Say the Formal Living Room Design Trend is Over
"Formal living rooms are at the top of the list — beautifully furnished, barely touched," says Olivia Botrie of Dart Studio. "In most homes, they become museum spaces that gather dust."
"The room that's often the most expensive to decorate beautifully—and the most underutilized—is the formal living room," agrees Nancy Davilman, principal designer of ND Interiors. "The formal living room is a holdover from our parents' era, when it was the most cherished and protected room in the house."
While formal entertaining spaces might look beautiful, they get very little use unless you're frequently hosting large events. Even during holidays or small family gatherings, people tend to avoid these overly formal setups. "Most families gather in kitchens, around islands, or in more casual great rooms," says Cathleen Gruver of Gruver Cooley.
Still, interior designers often receive requests for formal living rooms. "Clients with young kids often say they want 'an adult space,' but when it comes down to it, they rarely leave the kitchen or family room to use it," says Davilman. "Now that we live in a more casual society, the days of the formal living room are largely behind us, unless the room features something special, like a great bar or pool table, that actually entices people to gather there."
Just because the formal living room has become obsolete, doesn't mean you can't design two distinct living areas. Rethink these formal spaces. Instead, consider crafting practical rooms that can be used on a regular basis.
Emily Rand of Emily Rand Interiors tries to steer clients in a different direction. "Converting these extra rooms into more functional areas like a bar room, cozy den, or game room tends to serve homeowners much better."
Think of multifunctional spaces that are arranged with flexibility in mind. "Spaces that can evolve—like a media lounge that doubles as a guest room—tend to get the most real use," says Botrie.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
