A parlor, also known as a reception room, is a formal living room or sitting room in a house. It is typically located near the front of the house and is used to welcome guests. Historically, parlor rooms served as a space to entertain guests who often did not set foot further into the home. They were often the most beautifully decorated and furnished room in the home, and families invested heavily in their parlors as a signal that they had acquired wealth. During the Victorian era, having a parlor room was proof of having a high ranking status. Parlor rooms were also referred to as drawing or sitting rooms in smaller-scale homes, and would be used to display the best furnishings in the home. Items one may encounter in a parlor room in the Victorian era include musical instruments, vases, a secretary desk, rugs, tapestries, tea tables, loveseats and chairs, wallpaper, and heavy window ornamentation.

Parlor rooms are ideal for socializing but are more formal in setup than other rooms where friends and family may gather, such as a living room, family room, or kitchen. While many gathering spaces in modern households are multifunctional and contain items such as televisions, desks, and workout equipment, parlor rooms should be kept relatively simple. Due to their lack of a television, the parlor room shouldnt feature lounge-like furniture.

In summary, a parlor is a formal living room or sitting room in a house that is typically located near the front of the house and is used to welcome guests. It is more formal in setup than other rooms where friends and family may gather, and historically, it was a reflection of a familys wealth and status.