Living Room: The contemporary upgradation of the drawing room
A drawing room is basically a historical term of the new-age living room. The room was solely meant for guests’ entertainment. The term ‘drawing room’ is taken from the early 16th century and continued through the entire 17th century. The first appearance had however taken place in 1642. Eventually, with the increasing needs of cosy space, the appellations of the drawing room and living room have become practically the same. The new term ‘living room’ came into existence in the 19th century which is finely referred to the extension of the name ‘drawing room’. The modern home designates a similar type of sitting zone in case of living or drawing room.
The contemporary interior decor:
In the world of modish interior decor, the living room is a correspondingly contemporary terminology with the drawing room. The previous living room was a formal space just for greeting the guests. But now, it has slowly evolved into a casual space for family and guest get-together as we can commonly see in our own house. Earlier the drawing room was only used as a separate withdrawal room in which the guests are welcomed and entertained. The contemporary upgradation of the drawing room to the living room has made the space versatile along with entertainment; it is now used as a recreational space of the family members and guests. In majority of the modern cosy houses, the living room has grabbed the center stage.
Different terms with similar functionality:
The terms of living room and drawing room have different origins, but in the current world, they both indicate a room with indistinguishable functionality. Earlier, the drawing room is constructed usually near the home’s entrance, preferably in close proximity to the front door. The visitors or guests usually used to enter the room directly without any need to pass other rooms. Hence, the privacy of the family was maintained.
But now, the drawing rooms have become more relaxed and casual along with being kid-friendly. The term ‘living room’ has been justified in the modern phenomena as many social activities take place in the room, and the current generation is using the room for multiple activities like reading, sitting, entertaining, social activities, eating and drinking, etc. providing the ‘more people less space’ concept
The decor- Then and now:
The earlier decades experienced a simple, elegant and formal decor of the drawing aka living room. Then, the drawing room was peculiarly designed with fancy draperies, bookshelf, fine remembrance, formal sofa with ideally embroidered pillows, botanical arts. In the older house, the piano used to get a firm place in the drawing room. The main intention was to have a separate room where the home dwellers can spend some calm, quiet and ‘me’ time, and also meet the guests.

The updated sense of interior decor made living room an all-purpose room with comfy sofa-bed, recliners, convertible couch, chairs, beanbags, media units, television, music system, book tracks, artefacts, photographs, and maybe a fireplace in the colder regions. Since, in the 21st century, the spaces have shrunk, and the houses are becoming smaller, the homeowners are wanting to use one room for multiple reasons instead of erecting a separate space altogether. Thus, the earlier drawing room has gradually become a recent and modernistic living room.

The role of colours- Earlier and present:
Earlier, the drawing room was used for spending some quality time to get rejuvenated withdrawing from the daily chaos. Hence, people used to paint the room with a single tone, mostly in light shades like white, off-white, cream, beige, etc. Shades of red, green, steel, grey, sky-blue, etc. were used too, especially if the room was big enough.

Now, things have changed and the tastes of the people too. Now, the living room is the one that sets the first impression of the valued taste of the homeowner. Thus, most of the top interior design companies in Delhi, Mumbai like metro cities across the globe are taking an ultra-advanced approach to make today’s living rooms unique and joyful. The 21st-gen tech-savvy people are preferring hints of blue, orange, yellow, pink, fuchsia, brown, or, the customary whites, greys, combo colors, etc. to make it more playful and look lively.

Therefore, both the drawing room and living room are the same, apart from the theories of origin. Living rooms are the contemporary stylish upgradation of the drawing rooms that are conventionally used for relaxation, recreation, entertainment and social activities.
