Design ideas for a contemporary living room in Austin with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in London with white walls, ceramic floors, no fireplace, no tv, beige floor and wallpaper.

Passeig de Gràcia - Barcelona

Jeanne Schultz Design Studio

Words by Wilson Hack The best architecture allows what has come before it to be seen and cared for while at the same time injecting something new, if not idealistic. Spartan at first glance, the interior of this stately apartment building, located on the iconic Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, quickly begins to unfold as a calculated series of textures, visual artifacts and perfected aesthetic continuities. The client, a globe-trotting entrepreneur, selected Jeanne Schultz Design Studio for the remodel and requested that the space be reconditioned into a purposeful and peaceful landing pad. It was to be furnished simply using natural and sustainable materials. Schultz began by gently peeling back before adding only the essentials, resulting in a harmoniously restorative living space where darkness and light coexist and comfort reigns. The design was initially guided by the fireplace—from there a subtle injection of matching color extends up into the thick tiered molding and ceiling trim. “The most reckless patterns live here,” remarks Schultz, referring to the checkered green and white tiles, pink-Pollack-y stone and cast iron detailing. The millwork and warm wood wall panels devour the remainder of the living room, eliminating the need for unnecessary artwork. A curved living room chair by Kave Home punctuates playfully; its shape reveals its pleasant conformity to the human body and sits back, inviting rest and respite. “It’s good for all body types and sizes,” explains Schultz. The single sofa by Dareels is purposefully oversized, casual and inviting. A beige cover was added to soften the otherwise rectilinear edges. Additionally sourced from Dareels, a small yet centrally located side table anchors the space with its dark black wood texture, its visual weight on par with the larger pieces. The black bulbous free standing lamp converses directly with the antique chandelier above. Composed of individual black leather strips, it is seemingly harsh—yet its soft form is reminiscent of a spring tulip. The continuation of the color palette slips softly into the dining room where velvety green chairs sit delicately on a cascade array of pointed legs. The doors that lead out to the patio were sanded down and treated so that the original shape and form could be retained. Although the same green paint was used throughout, this set of doors speaks in darker tones alongside the acute and penetrating daylight. A few different shades of white paint were used throughout the space to add additional depth and embellish this shadowy texture. Specialty lights were added into the space to complement the existing overhead lighting. A wall sconce was added in the living room and extra lighting was placed in the kitchen. However, because of the existing barrel vaulted tile ceiling, sconces were placed on the walls rather than above to avoid penetrating the existing architecture.

Brooklyn Studio

Gerhard Interiors, LLC

Design ideas for a contemporary living room in New York.

Summit View Modern Glass House

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

Large contemporary open concept living room in Other with ceramic floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, grey floor and vaulted.

Кухня-гостиная с зеленью

Валерия Веселова

Design ideas for a small contemporary open concept living room in Other with porcelain floors, beige floor and grey walls.

By the Brooke

LIFE HOME DESIGN

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in Toronto with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Suburban Farmhaus

Arcologic Design

This is an example of a contemporary living room in Perth with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and beige floor.

Lake Michigan Modern

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Photo of a contemporary formal open concept living room in Grand Rapids with no tv, a standard fireplace, vaulted, multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wood walls.

Private Residence in Cobham, Surrey.

CDesign Ltd.

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Berkshire with grey walls, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Te Pahu House

PAUA Architects Ltd

This is an example of a large contemporary open concept living room in Hamilton with carpet, no fireplace and black floor.

The DreamHouzz

Houzz UK Events

Photo: Katya de Grunwald © 2018 Houzz
Design ideas for a contemporary formal living room in London with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and grey floor.

Ortega, Poole Harbour

Alexander James Interiors

Verdant greenery pops against warm hints of brass and burnt orange within our design - the aged iron Roark chandelier by Ralph Lauren adds chic contemporary charisma, whilst the luxurious Eichholtz Raffles sofa adds a touch of glamour.

Lumina H Line in Stone Grey and White

Masterclass Kitchens

Paul Craig
Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Other with light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Солнечные апартаменты в Киеве

BohoStudio

Inspiration for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding tv and beige floor.

Modern Indian apartment

fsnd

Contemporary living room in Mumbai with no fireplace and beige walls.

Bridgehampton

James Merrell Architects, P.C.

Joshua McHugh
Large contemporary formal open concept living room in New York with beige walls and light hardwood floors.

BAYSIDE HOUSE

Brendan Wong Design

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with carpet.

Victorian End-terrace House in Sevenoaks, Kent

ZazuDesigns

Photographer: Darren Chung
Photo of a contemporary formal living room in Kent with white walls and painted wood floors.

Sheen

Gregory Phillips Architects

Darren Chung
Inspiration for a contemporary living room in London with limestone floors.

Contemporary Green 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 contemporary 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 contemporary living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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.