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8 Living Room Alternatives That Are Surprisingly Practical

Published October 04, 2021
What to do when you find yourself with an extra room — or extra room within a room? Avoid cluttering up the space or leaving it altogether empty by brainstorming how you can best make the area shine and function. Whether an adult child has moved out or you're freshening things up, here are eight living room alternatives that you can incorporate to fit your needs.
second living room

1. Home Office

Working from the comfort of home requires a dedicated space to be productive and concentrate. To create one out of an empty room, choose a desk and chair to match your height and arrange plants and other greenery to soften the vibe. Also: adding a couch for coffee breaks or family meetings to make the home office cozy will allow for an extra spot to stretch out and read!
second living rooms

2. Kids' Play Area

The whimsical positioning of furniture and cozy surfaces for snuggling make this an inviting space for adults and kids. Provide sturdy surfaces for creating masterpieces, enjoying a snack, or playing board games. In the room above, a rug absorbs footfalls and is easy on the knees for floor-time games, while baskets scattered around corral toys and blankets.
what to do with a formal living room View Items in Room

3. Home Bar

Upgrade from your typical basement bar; here, elegant wall colors, modern seating, and mood lighting bring this home bar to life. A small console or cart can house your beverages of choice, and a credenza lends extra storage and a spot to display art or wine glasses.
how to make a living room more usable

4. Music Room

Hanging instruments within easy reach is a great way to use a living room, while incorporating your love of music into works of art. While you're at it, go high-tech for recording sessions and video shoots with a computer station and a console to house monitors or television screens. Finally, add some comfy poufs or beanbags to a corner of the space to invite jam sessions — campfire style!
alternate uses for formal living room

5. Games Room

Dedicate a blank space to nothing but fun. To start, choose consoles or coffee tables with storage and plenty of surface area for gameplay. Add comfy rugs and poufs for extra seating, and baskets to corral decks of cards and smaller games. Incorporate a finishing touch by hanging old board games or collages of game pieces on the wall as conversation art!
Amery White + Brown Two Tone Wood 4 Glass Door 4 Drawer 66" Sideboard Buffet With Wine Storage | Shelves Amery White + Brown Two Tone Wood 4 Glass Door 4 Drawer 66" Sideboard Buffet With Wine Storage | Shelves
$995
Amery White + Brown Multicolor Wood Two Tone 78" Bar With Wine Storage | Rectangular | Drawers Amery White + Brown Multicolor Wood Two Tone 78" Bar With Wine Storage | Rectangular | Drawers
$1,360
Dre Grey Brown Kitchen Bar With Backless Stool + USB Set For 3 Dre Grey Brown Kitchen Bar With Backless Stool + USB Set For 3
$374
Dawn White/Espresso Wood 78" Bar | Mindi Dawn White/Espresso Wood 78" Bar | Mindi
$1,650
Lars Black Wood 2 Drawer 2 Door Glass 68" Dining Sideboard Buffet With Wine Storage | Shelves Lars Black Wood 2 Drawer 2 Door Glass 68" Dining Sideboard Buffet With Wine Storage | Shelves
$695
Tanner Natural Brown Wood 60" Kitchen Bar With Backless Stool + USB Set For 3 Tanner Natural Brown Wood 60" Kitchen Bar With Backless Stool + USB Set For 3
$329
Kissa Brown 68" Wood Reeded 4 Door Buffet Sideboard With Adjustable Wine Shelves and Interior Drawers With Silverware Tray Kissa Brown 68" Wood Reeded 4 Door Buffet Sideboard With Adjustable Wine Shelves and Interior Drawers With Silverware Tray
$1,295
Malaga Grey Outdoor Wood Bar Malaga Grey Outdoor Wood Bar
$1,095
Murray Brown Modern 3 Door 60" Buffet Murray Brown Modern 3 Door 60" Buffet
$525
Jayden Brown Acacia Wood 4 Door 3 Drawer 62" Buffet Sideboard Jayden Brown Acacia Wood 4 Door 3 Drawer 62" Buffet Sideboard
$550
Citra Brown Mango Wood 2 Door Wine Bar Cabinet With Wine Storage Pull Out Tray + LED Lighting Citra Brown Mango Wood 2 Door Wine Bar Cabinet With Wine Storage Pull Out Tray + LED Lighting
$995
Draper Walnut Wood Veneer Mid-Century Modern Refrigerator Door Bar Wine Cabinet With Wine Rack | Entryway Draper Walnut Wood Veneer Mid-Century Modern Refrigerator Door Bar Wine Cabinet With Wine Rack | Entryway
$995
alternate living room ideas

6. Home Theater

Bring on the popcorn! In a spare room, comfy reclining chairs and low ambient lighting make the movie atmosphere pop. (Just keep the rug and wall colors dark to absorb reflections!) For a true theater experience, consider adding a raised platform and a second row of reclining seats, as well as a credenza or buffet to serve as a snack bar and provide extra storage for your DVDs or Blu-rays.
formal living room alternatives

7. Guest Room

Turn unused space into a welcome haven for guests or kids home from college. Try shelves stocked with favorite titles or simple games to invite relaxation and create a simple room divider. To complete the look – and bring the room together – opt for comfy textiles and task lighting!
living room alternatives

8. Meeting Room

Less computer-y than a home office, but not as formal as Grandma's sitting room, a meeting room can serve as a cozy, tech-free spot to chat with family, friends or clients. To convert a living room into one, play with plush chairs in varying colors to draw guests in. Add an unassuming table, which lends a spot to set your coffee or display a beloved plant.
Chelsey Brown 48" Wide Rectangle Wood Lift-Top Coffee Table | Shelf Chelsey Brown 48" Wide Rectangle Wood Lift-Top Coffee Table | Shelf
$195
Casey Walnut Triangle Coffee Table Casey Walnut Triangle Coffee Table
$195
Devin Brown 36" Square Coffee Table Devin Brown 36" Square Coffee Table
$150
Tony Grey 48" Wide Rectangle Wood Coffee Table Tony Grey 48" Wide Rectangle Wood Coffee Table
$150
Lakeland Espresso 36" Wide Wood Round Coffee Table Lakeland Espresso 36" Wide Wood Round Coffee Table
$250
Weaver Black 46" Wide Round Wood Lift-Top Coffee Table | Storage | Wheels | Bentwood Weaver Black 46" Wide Round Wood Lift-Top Coffee Table | Storage | Wheels | Bentwood
$495
Nola Brown 48" Wide Rectangle Glass Top & Wood Base Coffee Table | Mindi Nola Brown 48" Wide Rectangle Glass Top & Wood Base Coffee Table | Mindi
$225
Chelsey Brown 36" Wide Round Wood Lift-Top Coffee Table | Shelf Chelsey Brown 36" Wide Round Wood Lift-Top Coffee Table | Shelf
$250
Rodin Modern Brown 36" Round Fluted Drum Coffee Table Rodin Modern Brown 36" Round Fluted Drum Coffee Table
$530
Weston Grey 50" Wide Rectangle Concrete Top & Wood Base Coffee Table | Pine Weston Grey 50" Wide Rectangle Concrete Top & Wood Base Coffee Table | Pine
$595
Leo Brown 40" Wide Round Glass Top & Wood Base Nesting Coffee Table | Set Of 2 | Pine Leo Brown 40" Wide Round Glass Top & Wood Base Nesting Coffee Table | Set Of 2 | Pine
$450
Burton Modern Black 52" Rectangle Drum Coffee Table Burton Modern Black 52" Rectangle Drum Coffee Table
$675

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