There’s always a significant difference between formal living rooms & drawing rooms. While both serve the same purpose – Entertaining the guests- the formal living room goes beyond just a formal sitting near the entrance. 

You must be wondering how a formal living room setup is different from an informal one, so here’s your guide from the best interior designers in Gurgaon themselves. Let’s understand the significant difference & how you can make your existing living room more formal than ever.

Also, with the differences, you can expect some essential tips to design/redesign your entire living or drawing room to make it more warm and welcoming for your guests.

Understanding Formal Living Room & Informal Living Room

A living room is a space that fulfills your demand and represents your lifestyle in a more welcoming way.

Talking about the formal living room. This is an elegant and sophisticated space that is usually used for gatherings or hosting guests. Formal living rooms are more of a sleek and polished design, which includes opulent furniture, minute details, and a well-considered layout that puts form over utility. This formal living space has an appearance of grandeur enhanced by elaborate moldings, elite showcases, and exquisite curtains.

An informal living room is designed for functionality & comfort. Traditionally, we all have called it a drawing room, which is the heart of our homes. We used to sit, watch TV, have informal chats with our family, and maybe pass out on the couch. Mostly, people design their drawing rooms with luxurious sectional couches or overstuffed armchairs, and the decor is more diversified and personal.

So you have the essential design difference between these two – The formal & informal living rooms. Where presentation & design are the core of a formal living room, an informal living room focuses on relaxation and utility. Whichever style you choose, remember it should be your happy place that reflects your style and makes you feel pleased.

The Differences of Formal & Informal Living Rooms

Now that you have understood that formal and informal living arrangements are different, what makes them different? Let’s quickly learn the basics:

The Purpose

Ask any luxury interior designer in Gurgaon, and they will tell you that formal living spaces are designed to entertain visitors and host special gatherings. Primarily, people create their living rooms formally to make a sophisticated and polished impression, where they welcome visitors and engage in more formal social interactions.

An informal living room is more of a personal space where chats & gatherings are pretty casual and comfortable. Families who want to unwind, get laid back, and enjoy quality time together without any plush or formal designs prefer this setting. Activities in this room are typically relaxed and laid-back, such as watching movies, playing games, or engaging in casual conversations.

The Location & Layout

Formal living spaces are mainly located near the main entrance of your home, which ensures your first impression is first class. The idea behind this location is to give more privacy & exclusivity from the clumsy spaces of your home. Regarding the layout, formal living rooms are more structured, with furniture arranged in a symmetrical or balanced manner.

On the other hand, informal living rooms are the heart of the homes, so they are located in the center of the house. The idea behind this location is to access this drawing space from multiple points. As the furniture is arranged in a cozy structure, the layout of the informal living area is more flexible and casual, which makes it inviting for the residents and the guests similarly. The overall flow of the space is designed for comfort & functionality, which encourages interaction and togetherness.

The Design Elements

You might know yourself that the formal living rooms speak elegance & sophistication. These spaces hold unique corners for intricate moldings, opulent showpieces, and elaborate window treatments. Families who prioritize formal living areas design their furniture in more traditional and upholstered fabrics like silk or velvet. The chandeliers, artwork on the walls, and decorative vases add to the luxury of this formal living room.

An informal living room is designed to give a relaxed and comfortable vibe. The furniture of this informal space is casual and inviting. Other than this, the design elements of these informal living spaces are more elite and sophisticated than formal living areas; instead, they reflect your unique style and interests.

The Lighting

Lighting is one of the significant factors that separates formal & informal living rooms. It adds up to the ambiance & the character of the rooms. The chandeliers, wall artwork, and high-end lamps create a warm and inviting glow in the formal living area. In short, you can expect basic dim lighting in the formal setting, which can be adjusted according to the gatherings and occasions.

Informal living rooms have a brighter and more functional lighting scheme. In this informal room setup, families go for recessed lighting or track lighting to get ample illumination for various activities, such as reading, playing games, or watching television.

The Color Scheme & Decor

As the name suggests, the color scheme of this room is relatively muted & sophisticated. Families who want to design formal living rooms always go with rich hues like deep reds, emerald greens, or navy blues, which create a sense of warmth and luxury. The decor of this area is more refined and curated, which complements the overall design. Families select the artworks, sculptures, and decorative accessories very carefully to enhance the formal aura of the space.

You can expect a more vibrant and loud color scheme in an informal living room setup. The cheerful hues add up to the welcoming and inviting atmosphere. Families who want to reflect their unique personality and lifestyle choose an informal living room over a formal one. You can find family photos, cozy throw blankets, and playful decor pieces in this casual area that contribute to the vibe of the space.

Tips to Design Your Living Room

As suggested by an interior design company in Gurgaon, we have listed some of the best tips to design your living room with a touch of your personality & style:

Choose a Focal Point

You must pick a focal point of your living room, like what’s that one thing that will definitely catch the attention of anyone and everyone. It can be anything from artwork to chandeliers, window curtains, furniture, etc. After picking the focal point, you can design the space around it to create a cohesive and visually appealing room.

Play with Textures

If you want to add depth & interest to your living room, then you must add different layers of textures. Adding different layers defines the combining of various materials like wood, metal, textiles, and stone to create a visually appealing ambiance.

Embrace Natural Light

Natural lighting should be the top priority if you are planning to design your living room. To take advantage of natural lights, you can place sheer curtains on the windows and create your seating near the natural light. It will definitely make your living room look more spacious and brighter. If you don’t have enough natural light, then you can strategically place lamps and overhead lighting to create a warm and welcoming ambiance.

Personalize with Accessories

If you want your living space to be a reflection of your unique personality, then you must add personal touch or customized accessories. Accessories like customized family photo frames, artworks, or valuable collectibles.

Wrapping Up

Now that you have understood the basics of formal & informal living rooms, we want to catch your attention towards MOS. Matter Of Space (MOS) is an established interior design company in Gurgaon that specializes in residential, commercial, hospitality & other projects.

If you are looking for the best interior designers in Gurgaon, then you are more than welcome to our space. Let’s sit, understand your project, and deliver the best we can to you.