9 Lessons to Learn From Formal Drawing Rooms
Let these formal rooms inspire you to create entertaining spaces that encourage conversation, music and games
Once while talking to a designer, I realised that in my thousands of interviews with design pros over the years, it was the first time the term drawing room had been mentioned. The drawing room is a concept mostly from a bygone era, found in grand homes designed for entertaining (think of the after-dinner socialising on Downton Abbey). But there are many elements in these well-thought-out spaces that we can apply to our homes today.
2. Comfortable area for conversation
Seating in drawing rooms should be arranged with group conversations in mind. Place furniture in a way that people can gather for chatting and no one will feel left out. This may mean pulling out those extra stools and ottomans, and chairs from other rooms, to create conversation areas. There can be more than one grouping.
Learn how to get the living room layout right
Seating in drawing rooms should be arranged with group conversations in mind. Place furniture in a way that people can gather for chatting and no one will feel left out. This may mean pulling out those extra stools and ottomans, and chairs from other rooms, to create conversation areas. There can be more than one grouping.
Learn how to get the living room layout right
3. Elegant details
Elaborate chandeliers, sophisticated mirrors, tapestries, stylish mantels and mouldings – these are all classic drawing room elements. Bonus points to this room for having a champagne bucket on a stand. But even if your designated entertainment space is the room with a pingpong table in it, you may want to add a few touches to make it special before the party: Favourite coasters, fresh flowers, good-looking cocktail tools and serveware, copper mugs – you get the idea.
Elaborate chandeliers, sophisticated mirrors, tapestries, stylish mantels and mouldings – these are all classic drawing room elements. Bonus points to this room for having a champagne bucket on a stand. But even if your designated entertainment space is the room with a pingpong table in it, you may want to add a few touches to make it special before the party: Favourite coasters, fresh flowers, good-looking cocktail tools and serveware, copper mugs – you get the idea.
4. Handy spots for drinks
Whether you’re serving after-dinner cocktails or coffee in a room outside the dining room, you’ll want places where your guests can set down their beverages. Cocktail tables, convenient side tables and pieces like Chinese garden stools near seats are important components for entertainment spaces.
Whether you’re serving after-dinner cocktails or coffee in a room outside the dining room, you’ll want places where your guests can set down their beverages. Cocktail tables, convenient side tables and pieces like Chinese garden stools near seats are important components for entertainment spaces.
5. Convenient serving station
Shuffling back and forth to another room to make drinks takes hosts away from their guests. Roll in a bar cart or set up an espresso station in the same room so that you and your guests can refresh their beverages without anyone’s having to leave the group.
Take a look at these food & drink stations for parties
Shuffling back and forth to another room to make drinks takes hosts away from their guests. Roll in a bar cart or set up an espresso station in the same room so that you and your guests can refresh their beverages without anyone’s having to leave the group.
Take a look at these food & drink stations for parties
6. Family portrait wall
Drawing rooms offer a chance to show off your family history. No fancy antique oils are required; today you can display favourite family photographs.
Or you may want to display inspiring portraits of those you admire, as Thomas Jefferson did at Monticello, pictured here.
Drawing rooms offer a chance to show off your family history. No fancy antique oils are required; today you can display favourite family photographs.
Or you may want to display inspiring portraits of those you admire, as Thomas Jefferson did at Monticello, pictured here.
These days almost any portrait will do, as the art form has become a popular way to decorate.
7. Place for enjoying music
After-dinner entertainment can mean an impromptu concert or busting out some moves. Whether you’ve got a baby grand or a Bluetooth speaker, have your music system set up for entertaining.
Check out these stylish assistants for a high-tech home
After-dinner entertainment can mean an impromptu concert or busting out some moves. Whether you’ve got a baby grand or a Bluetooth speaker, have your music system set up for entertaining.
Check out these stylish assistants for a high-tech home
8. Tables for playing games
Bridge was often the game of choice in classic drawing rooms, but your main gathering space can benefit from a place that encourages any sort of game playing, even if your game of choice is Cards Against Humanity.
Bridge was often the game of choice in classic drawing rooms, but your main gathering space can benefit from a place that encourages any sort of game playing, even if your game of choice is Cards Against Humanity.
9. Everything clean and in its place
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a staff to clean your living spaces daily, à la Downton Abbey? The modern version of this is giving your space a good once-over before the guests arrive and cleaning up the clutter – that pile of mail, book bags, cat scratcher, dog toys, TV remotes. Get your cards, music, coasters and seating arrangements ready, and your “drawing room” will be good to go.
Read more:
33 of the Most Stylish Drawing Rooms on Houzz India
Tell us:
How have you designed your drawing room? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a staff to clean your living spaces daily, à la Downton Abbey? The modern version of this is giving your space a good once-over before the guests arrive and cleaning up the clutter – that pile of mail, book bags, cat scratcher, dog toys, TV remotes. Get your cards, music, coasters and seating arrangements ready, and your “drawing room” will be good to go.
Read more:
33 of the Most Stylish Drawing Rooms on Houzz India
Tell us:
How have you designed your drawing room? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
The concept of the drawing room has evolved over time. The room has moved around the house a bit and sometimes was referred to as a parlour or a salon. During the era of Downton Abbey, the 1910s and ’20, the drawing room centred more around women, while the men hit the adjacent smoking room. To keep it simple, we’ll use the most popular current definition of a drawing room – a space for after-dinner entertaining for all.
As you can see, it’s just a few steps from the dining room to the drawing room in this home. Think about where you want your guests to gather after dinner – whether in your living room, family room or rec room – and make sure the spaces encourage an easy transition.