The Rise and Fall of Living Room "Conversation Pits"

The fad of a sunken living room, which later became known as a "conversation pit" was trendy in the 1960s and '70s. They turned a large living room into a cozy, intimate space for socialization. Such a pit was a perfect place for a huge wraparound couch and getting close to your guests. It just seemed cool. But sunken living rooms didn't spring up full blown in the '60s. The idea actually goes back to the 1920s, and was admired by a generation of innovative architects before they hit the mainstream. 

But while the design magazines were full of conversation pits, everyday people saw problems. Digging a pit in one's living room was not only an expensive upgrade, it also assumed that one had a living room that was big enough to add a smaller section. Besides that, you had to consider who these pits were for- cool young adults who threw parties. They certainly weren't practical for anyone who might someday have children or grow old. Read about the rise and fall of this design trend that required a long term commitment at Mental Floss.