Living room

The living room is the room in an apartment or apartment building where, in many cases, the residents spend the most time. Nowadays, this can be recognized by the fact that most houses have a television set in the living room.

In the past, a generous fireplace or hearth was the clear indication that one was in the living room, as was more or less representative furniture. In less affluent middle-class households, the living room, similar to the "good room" in farmhouses, was used only on special occasions. At least in winter, this had the practical reason that the kitchen was warm anyway due to the wood or coal-fired stove, while the living room had to be heated extra. In times of housing shortage, for example after the Second World War, many apartments did not even have a separate living room, but only (living) kitchen and bedrooms. When new apartments were built with increasing prosperity (in West Germany due to the economic miracle) and thus more space was available again, separate living rooms were also set up again. There was no longer so much emphasis on representation, but more on coziness and comfortable furniture; the furnishings that are typical to this day, albeit adapted to fashion in terms of design, became established.

The typical furnishings of a German living room include the upholstered set with a low table, cabinet furniture up to the classic wall unit for the TV and other entertainment electronics and (alcoholic) beverages, as well as book or CD shelves. Often the living room is used as a dining room, as it is usually more spacious than the kitchen. During parties and celebrations, people often eat in the living room due to lack of space.

In England, the dual function of the German living room is usually divided between two rooms. For representation, the "parlour" (salon) is used by the inhabitants only during ceremonies or with guests, while the "living room" is used on an everyday basis; "family room" refers to the largest room in the house in conjunction with an open kitchen.

However, such open kitchens or kitchens connected with the living room at least by a wide passageway are now also very popular in Germany.