The 'living room' is a common Australian term, while 'lounge' and 'sitting' room are more common in British households. While they all hold the same meaning, sitting room is considered a more formalised terminology. Living room is considered more of a residental term and suggests a relaxed communal space whereas lounge is a term that is more common in commercial settings, like hotels.

The lounge room is a focal point for relaxation in the home and is generally categorised by having a communal seating arrangement where the whole family can gather. Generally, a lounge or living room may also include a coffee table, entertainment units and storage solutions which can be personalised with accessories and timeless family heirlooms such as Marimekko of Finland, Iittala and Normann Copenhagen. The lounge room can be pulled together with a large rug and the rule of thumb is the larger the rug, the bigger the room will feel.

There are several simple methods to judge the quality of lounge room furniture. The weight of the piece and the materials used are an excellent initial indicator. Quality timber furniture is constructed using a range of hardwoods that include oak, elm, walnut, ash, beech and birch and have a noticeable weight to them. Many furniture manufacturers use plywoods and veneers, these are lighter in comparison to hardwoods and are much less consistent in quality. Quality furniture will also feature full grain leathers and commercial grade fabrics. At the Modern Furniture Store we always use solid timbers and quality upholstery materials.