The concept of the living room is undergoing a significant transformation in contemporary homes, with many individuals and families reevaluating its importance. A recent new normal in where, how, and why we live has drastically shifted our perception of home. Today, though, most people consider their living rooms luxury spaces. Younger generations have fully adopted models of this shift, making cost-effective choices their first priority. They frequently select these options in lieu of more permanent residences.
Georgie, a 27-year-old climbing and outdoor instructor, succinctly captured the sentiment surrounding this shift: “Without a living room, your world becomes quite small.” Her experiences are a reality for many who have recently found themselves learning to navigate spaces that do not have clear or established living room equivalents. In this busy modern world, places for socializing and relaxation are essential to our mental health. Their absence is increasingly felt, impacting our quality of life and raising impending and serious concerns.
The word “living room” first came into use in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Former Ladies’ Home Journal editor Edward Bok was its greatest champion and did much to popularize it. After all, living rooms were first designed as intimate environments where families could rest, share stories and experiences. Gradually, they became hubs for families to watch TV and eat TV dinners with their families. Yet, according to Nielsen numbers, there has been a significant downturn in traditional television usage among younger age groups. In 2024, less than 40% of people ages 16-24 said they watch linear TV once a week. That’s a huge shift from 76% only five years ago.
Markos, an architect who runs Birmingham-based Markos Design Workshop, just moved home after a three-decade stint in Washington. He is out there searching for the larger units because he wants a large living room. This decision came out of a lack of budget, no doubt, but indicated a rising desire for shared spaces in housing. He noted the importance of these spaces for social interaction and relaxation.
The trend of skipping out on having a living room is especially acute among renters. Another study found that over a third of people residing in shared accommodations are willing to sacrifice their living room. In return, they more than willingly agree to lower their rent. This phenomenon is most acute in London. In fact, between January and June of this year, 41.2% of the rental properties listed had no living room.
Imogen, a 34-year-old Woonerf resident. We originally only planned to use our living room for special occasions and use our kitchen for entertaining. Her experience serves as an example of a growing trend. In several households that lacked formal living rooms, kitchens served as the new centers of social life. Peter Markos echoed this frustration: “Once the living room was converted, there were six of us living there: the only place to talk is the kitchen… there’s nowhere to just watch TV or read a book.”
For Salli, a 25-year-old who previously lived in a multi-tenant student house without a separate living room, it was a similar story. She turned the parlor into a third bedroom to help cover rent. Reflecting on her experience, she noted, “As nights got colder and spiders found their way in, we soon realized why an indoor living room is nice to have.” Her remarks emerge from the pain of persistence to thrive despite insufficient and unstable housing conditions.
As the notion of home continues to change and develop, so does the expectation of what a home should be. Regan Billingsley, principal at Regan Billingsley Interiors, advocates for multifunctional spaces. Having designed thriving community spaces, she is passionate about these places addressing the evolving needs of today’s households. “Every home should reflect the rhythm of the people in it,” she stated. “A living room today should flex with your life: a space for connection, relaxation, and creativity.”
Billingsley went on to underscore how impactful design-related decisions could make these experiences even better. She discussed using layering textiles and lighting to create depth in open-plan kitchen-dining spaces. This technique transforms attractive natural venues into social hives. “A built-in banquette can double as a lounge area. A large dining table can transition from workspace to dinner party setting,” she added.
With all of these innovative design ideas in play, everyone still seems to think that lack of a living room is a big strike against them. Louis Platman, curator and research manager at London’s Museum of the Home, cautions against removing this zone. Most importantly, he believes that unless we address this, it can lead to disastrous outcomes. He contends that living rooms are important countercultural spaces for making connections with our family members and friends.
This increase in homes without a clear living room is raising eyebrows, inviting debate about what we really want — or need — from home design. As almost half (49%) of renters currently say that their bedrooms are their living rooms, the consequences are deep. Television further aided the introduction of a shared leisure space with a national scope. In recent years, this simple concept has met with unprecedented challenges.
As societal norms continue to fluidly grow and change, so does the idea of home and the idea of comfort. Georgie shared her struggles with inviting friends over when there was no suitable space for socializing: “It was hard to invite people over because not everyone wants to sit in a bedroom.” She began to focus on how these restrictions impacted her ability to feel at ease in her own home.