What did people do in their living room before television?

Question

My wife and I are looking to buy a house, but neither of us watches a lot of TV. We spend more time on the computer and out doing things. I'm looking for ways to rearrange our house to more accurately fit our lifestyle, and I believe the answer to this question would help us make a decision.

Answer 1

Before TV , many homes had a piano  in the living room. In

third world places today music is still the free time preferred entertainment.  

Answer 2

Then you must like to read.   Bookcases...lots of bookcases around the room.   Maybe a faux fireplace (if there isn't a real one) where the TV would usually be.  Or a nice salt-water fish tank with colorful fish, and a nice sunset photo behind, or over it.

Answer 3

Before TV we read the bible, newspapers, books, listen to the radio shows and even talked to one another.  Talking to one another even kept the divorce rate down.

Arrange your walk with shelves and desk to compiment your current needs but arrange a shelve above it for your TV when you do watch it.

A small round table with lamp just off center or by the window with a nice lamp and two comfy chairs when reading would be nice.

Answer 4

I would just put a TV in the room anyway to make it look good and who knows you might watch a lot of it on your break. Just add some couches, a table in the middle with a rug under it and some side tables with stuff on them like lamps and pictures :)

Answer 5

Put bookshelves and conversation pieces around the room.  Make it comfortable and inviting so people want to sit down.  Put warm lighting and arrange the furniture facing each other for conversation instead of facing a television.  Fish tank is also a nice idea.  

Answer 6

They sat on their couches and talked.

Answer 7

Read,listen to the radio,.......TALK.

Answer 8

People entertained and actually were intimate with their neighbors before tv. That is what they did. They invited people over, made sure their house was "perfect", and entertained them for hours. Getting to know and keep their neighbors as friends.

Amazing.

Who can say that they know more than one or two of their neighbors? First AND last names?

I think its cool you guys are looking to revolve your lives around something other than tv.

Best wishes!

p.s. turn it into a study or "den" or a "great room"

Answer 9

They used to LIVE in their LIVING room! yay!

Answer 10

Before tv? People would sit around with family and read or listen to the radio. There was knitting to be done, books and papers to read, card games even! There's no reason that you NEED to have a tv though if you find yourself watching it on occasion, or if you have company stop in that likes to watch tv (family members mostly) you may want to have one for those "just in case" moments!

Good luck!

Answer 11

Most people read, then and now if they don't have a tv.