The living space was designed to not only reflect the mid-century modern style but also to take advantage of view with floor to ceiling windows. With warm sunrises and sunsets almost every day, we also wanted to incorporate this by using warm tones throughout.

Salón y comedor

Arte Habitat

Mueble TV hecho a medida con espacio de almacenaje, estantería y librería. Acabado en chapa natural de Nogal.
Design ideas for a large modern formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors and a freestanding tv.

La Pinède

Studio MMA Architecture + Design

Foyer / Fireplace
Design ideas for a large country formal open concept living room in Montreal with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, wood and no tv.

Bethesda, MD Residence

yZiGN

Photo of a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in DC Metro with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Modern Ranch House

Terra Firma Custom Homes

This is an example of a large country formal open concept living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor, no tv and wood.

Woodland Gardens

ZAC and ZAC - Photography

©ZAC and ZAC
Large transitional formal enclosed living room in London with pink walls, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Picture Perfect in Palisades

Breeze Giannasio Interiors

Design ideas for a transitional formal enclosed living room in DC Metro with white walls, carpet, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

2-Story High Rise Condo Remodel

The Renowned Group

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no tv and brown floor.

Penthousewohnung München

Design- und Kaminmanufaktur Schinharl

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary formal open concept living room in Munich with white walls, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround and white floor.

Kensington, London

Ark One Group

This beautiful property in Kensington features our Marrakech flooring - specially created for Ark One at our Italian factories. As with all Ark One flooring, it is 100% sustainable - even the oils and glues we use are natural to work in perfect harmony with our wood, our homes and our bodies.

Modern Ideas for Small Apartments

Florida Home

This is an example of a mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in Miami with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a built-in media wall and beige floor.

Décoration et rénovation d'une Maison 1930 style Bourgeois/Contemporain/Bohême

Intérieur 360°

Design ideas for an eclectic formal living room in Lille with pink walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

New Orleans Chic

Gulf Building LLC

Gulf Building recently completed the “ New Orleans Chic” custom Estate in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The aptly named estate stays true to inspiration rooted from New Orleans, Louisiana. The stately entrance is fueled by the column’s, welcoming any guest to the future of custom estates that integrate modern features while keeping one foot in the past. The lamps hanging from the ceiling along the kitchen of the interior is a chic twist of the antique, tying in with the exposed brick overlaying the exterior. These staple fixtures of New Orleans style, transport you to an era bursting with life along the French founded streets. This two-story single-family residence includes five bedrooms, six and a half baths, and is approximately 8,210 square feet in size. The one of a kind three car garage fits his and her vehicles with ample room for a collector car as well. The kitchen is beautifully appointed with white and grey cabinets that are overlaid with white marble countertops which in turn are contrasted by the cool earth tones of the wood floors. The coffered ceilings, Armoire style refrigerator and a custom gunmetal hood lend sophistication to the kitchen. The high ceilings in the living room are accentuated by deep brown high beams that complement the cool tones of the living area. An antique wooden barn door tucked in the corner of the living room leads to a mancave with a bespoke bar and a lounge area, reminiscent of a speakeasy from another era. In a nod to the modern practicality that is desired by families with young kids, a massive laundry room also functions as a mudroom with locker style cubbies and a homework and crafts area for kids. The custom staircase leads to another vintage barn door on the 2nd floor that opens to reveal provides a wonderful family loft with another hidden gem: a secret attic playroom for kids! Rounding out the exterior, massive balconies with French patterned railing overlook a huge backyard with a custom pool and spa that is secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city. All in all, this estate captures the perfect modern interpretation of New Orleans French traditional design. Welcome to New Orleans Chic of Fort Lauderdale, Florida!

Corona Del Mar

McRae Lambert Dunn

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, white floor and concrete floors.

The Savannah: Best of Ohio Custom Home Over 5,000 SF

Justin Doyle Homes

This luxurious farmhouse entry and living area features custom beams and all natural finishes. It brings old world luxury and pairs it with a farmhouse feel. The stone archway and soaring ceilings make this space unforgettable!

South London Family Home

KG Lifestyle & Interiors Ltd

Chris Snook
Design ideas for a traditional formal living room in London with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

South Hill Renovation

Greg Robinson Architect

Haris Kenjar Photography and Design
Inspiration for a mid-sized arts and crafts formal open concept living room in Seattle with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and beige floor.

64th Place

Rafterhouse

Photo of a country formal open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

V Residence

Reside Studio

Eclectic formal open concept living room in Perth with white walls, concrete floors and black floor.

Rustic Retreat

Custom Design Construction & Interiors Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in Other with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Brown Formal 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 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 living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which 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 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 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 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.