Wait, Is Your Living Room Actually a Drawing Room? Designers Explain the Difference

Originating centuries ago, drawing rooms were traditionally adult-only spaces for receiving and entertaining guests. While they still exist today, they are usually only seen in traditional homes or very large homes with several living spaces.

These days, the terms drawing room, living room, and den might seem interchangeable but there are key differences between each of these spaces especially in terms of design and use.

Read on to find out exactly what drawing rooms are and how to decorate them, with pro tips from interior designers too.

What Is a Drawing Room?

Drawing rooms originated in the 16^th century and were originally called “withdrawing rooms” but over time the term was shortened to drawing room which is the wording still used today.

“A drawing room was the home’s elegant social hub, where guests would historically “withdraw” after dinner to relax and enjoy each other's company," Shelley Hammon, founder and interior designer at Studio-Shelley, says. "It would be decorated to show off wealth and opulence."

While drawing rooms have evolved, their purpose remains similar. Today, they are occasional use rooms that are still used for entertaining guests more formally, or for celebrating special occasions like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Being more formal in nature, drawing rooms reflect this in their decor. Luxurious fabrics, chandeliers, and ornate furniture are often part of the decor.

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Drawing Room vs. Living Room vs. Den

Even though the terms drawing room, living room and den are sometimes used interchangeably, these rooms are very different especially if you have all three within a home. Each space serves a specific purpose and the decor reflects that purpose.

“A living room is more casual (than a drawing room) and is meant for everyday use and informal entertaining”, says Leigh Herr, Interior Designer at Mackenzie Collier Interiors. It’s a space where families gather, relax, and spend time together daily.

Given its frequent use and more informal nature, living rooms are usually decorated with comfort and durability in mind. Whereas drawing rooms are a more formal version of a living room and the decor reflects this.

“A den, on the other hand, is typically the smallest of the three rooms. You can think of dens like a cozy, functional retreat in your home where one might read or work”, says Herr.

Dens can have different uses in different homes like being a games room, a TV room, or a private retreat or they can be multi-purpose rooms, combining a few of these functions.

That said, more often than not, modern dens are cozy and comfortable spaces most often used as multi-media rooms and relaxing retreats. A den is where you might indulge in your favorite TV show, entertain close friends, and wind down after work. 

Tips for Styling a Drawing Room

• Focus on Aesthetics. Drawing rooms are used less frequently than other living spaces and aren’t used for relaxing so this is one room where you can prioritize style over comfort.
• Opt for Lux Fabrics. Rich fabrics like velvets and silks create an elevated look appropriate for drawing rooms. Use luxurious materials like these not just on your large pieces of furniture but also on drapes, cushions and other small accents.
• Add a Feature Light. Drawing rooms are all about elegant opulence and so crystal chandeliers are often a feature in these rooms. If not a chandelier, a large, statement light is used as a central feature of drawing rooms.
• Choose Timeless Classics. As an occasional use room with a more formal feel than other living spaces, classic and elegant pieces work well here. Pieces like upright sofas, wingback chairs and plush ottomans are a few examples.
• Make it Personal. Just because drawing rooms lean formal, they don’t have to lack personality. Display a favorite piece of art or a collection of antiques or a family heirloom. Anything that allows your personal style to shine through will add character and make this space feel very much a part of your home.
• Go Formal, Not Stuffy. Drawing rooms have an air of formality about them but that doesn’t mean they have to feel stuffy and uninviting. Drawing rooms can and should feel welcoming and the layout should allow guests to mingle and converse with ease.