[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Elevated, Modern Coastal

Translations Design Studio, LLC

This is an example of a beach style living room in Charleston.

Santa Barbara Style

White Sands Coastal Development

We remodeled this 5,400-square foot, 3-story home on ’s Second Street to give it a more current feel, with cleaner lines and textures. The result is more and less Old World Europe, which is exactly what we were going for. We worked with much of the client’s existing furniture, which has a southern flavor, compliments of its former South Carolina home. This was an additional challenge, because we had to integrate a variety of influences in an intentional and cohesive way. We painted nearly every surface white in the 5-bed, 6-bath home, and added light-colored window treatments, which brightened and opened the space. Additionally, we replaced all the light fixtures for a more integrated aesthetic. Well-selected accessories help pull the space together, infusing a consistent sense of peace and comfort.

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Modern Oceanside Retreat

Eleven Interiors

This is an example of a beach style open concept living room in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and beige floor.

Captain's Deck, Seapath Yacht Club

Design Results: Creative Coastal Living

An inviting great room with a soft, neutral palette lends sophistication to a rental venue that sleeps 21. A large rectangular table for ten allows for fine dining and great conversation bathed in the glow of a hanging linear pendant. The ample, deep seating nearby is on such a large scale that the sofa had to be hoisted up two floors on a forklift!

Merritt Island, FL

Ally Whalen Design

This is an example of a beach style living room in Orlando.

Chesapeake

Hutker Architects

Photo of a beach style living room in DC Metro with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and vaulted.

Coastal Contemporary

A.A. Paint & Custom Finishes, Inc

Crisp white walls and exposed stain ceiling beams
Design ideas for a beach style open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

High Summit Drive

Jessica Koltun Home

This is an example of a beach style living room in Dallas.

Living in Style: A Whitewash Technique

Eldorado Stone

Hillstone® is a distinctive hand-blended variety of stones in heights from 1″ to 12″ and lengths from 3″ to 18″. With a raw linen color base — hidden by generous swaths of sage and intertwined with hints of tan and ochre — it is rugged and rusticated with the characteristic randomness of the Tuscany countryside. Corners available.

Ozone Avenue, Sorrento

Brownhill Homes

Beautifully styled open plan living at its finest. High panelled ceilings framed by bulkheads with built in lighting. Feature pebble surround for the gas fireplace. Minimal coastal styling with stacker doors leading to large outdoor decking.

Living Rooms by Mary Hannah Interiors

Mary Hannah Interiors

Design ideas for a large beach style living room in Other.

Shorewood - Lake Minnetonka

Randolph Interior Design

Interior Designer: Randolph Interior Design Builder: Villamil Construction⁠ Photo: Spacecrafting Photography
Design ideas for a beach style living room in Minneapolis.

Northern New Jersey Cape

Toledo Geller

Beach style living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Private Waterfront Residence in Oxford, MD

Purple Cherry Architects

Photo of a beach style living room in Baltimore with green walls and a standard fireplace.

Warm Transitional Coastal Living Room with Brick Fireplace

Hive Home

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Los Angeles with a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, white walls, light hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Blanche Lake Cottage

Refreshing Designs

This is an example of a large beach style enclosed living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Cove Remodel

Studio McGee

Large beach style open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Best of Summer 2018

Charleston Home + Design Mag

Inspiration for a beach style living room in Charleston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Beach Style Living Room Design Photos

A living room, often referred to as a lounge room in Australia and New Zealand, is the hub of the home. If you only have one living room in the house, it’s likely to serve multiple purposes: be it a place to watch TV, play games, spend quality time with family or hang out with friends. If you have the luxury of two living areas, one is usually a formal living room or lounge room, reserved for reading, relaxing and entertaining. A successful beach style living room design is inviting, has enough seating for the whole clan – a comfortable couch is a must – and encourages conversation. Browse photos on Houzz for living room layouts, furniture and decor, and strike up a conversation with the interior designers or architects of your favourite picks. For even more beach style living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which beach style living room layouts will work best for you?

Every living area will have design challenges. A long, narrow lounge room, for example, risks looking like a hallway if furniture is lined up against the walls. Instead, opt for small furniture items, like a cosy two-seater couch, and create various focal points throughout the space. In square living rooms, a symmetrical layout encourages a formal setting. Place seating on either side of the room, with a focal point in the middle to pull the room together. For a truly intimate vibe, replace your couch with some occasional chairs positioned around a coffee table or ottoman. This will make the main focus conversation. An open-plan home – one where the lines are blurred between kitchen, dining and living – may require a layout that focuses on definition. You’ll want to make sure furniture doesn’t block the flow between spaces, and instead use something like an area rug to create zones.

How can you decorate your living room?

The living room can be a place in which to show off your personality, but if you want a timeless living room scheme, stick to neutral walls, couches and ottomans. Colour can be added through accessories, and is a lot more interchangeable! Rugs, cushions and throws are great for adding colour, while mirrors, lamps and ceiling lights will set the mood. Make your beach style living room unique by including family heirlooms and photos. For a polished look, try creating a coffee table vignette – you could use books as pedestals or group items together on a tray. Try adding a vase, a mixture of round and rectangular objects and some books.

What are some small living room ideas?

Small living room designs can be tricky to work with, but aren’t doomed to fail. Often, you just have to get creative with furniture. An open-back chaise can create a sense of spaciousness, while small side tables paired together can substitute a coffee table. Even better, an ottoman can be used as a footrest, coffee table or extra seating. Big furniture items like the couch are best kept in light colours, and if there’s room for a coffee table, a glass-top one is best. If you have two spaces in one – perhaps your beach style living room sits in front of a single-wall kitchen – make sure they are connected by decor, colour and style. For definition, just add area rugs, or use your couch as a dividing wall. It’s worth having a few furniture pieces, whether a bookshelf, couch or entertainment unit, in the same colour as the walls, too, so they blend into the room and visually expand the space.

Is open-plan living for you?

Today’s homes often embrace open-plan living, whereby the living room runs off the kitchen and/or dining areas. Open-plan living allows greater functionality, but can risk creating a vast, soulless space if not done right. To avoid a cavernous feel in an open-plan design, define areas with furniture, rugs and lighting, or consider using a wall divider. Also be sure to keep flooring, lighting and materials consistent throughout, for cohesiveness. Noise may be an issue – someone banging pots and pans while you’re watching TV, for example – so include lots of soft beach style furnishings, such as rugs, curtains and couches to help absorb the noise. You will also need to factor in plenty of storage, so mess is kept at bay.

Newport Cliff Walk

SLC Interiors

Inspiration for a beach style living room in Boston.