Beautiful all day, stunning by dusk, this luxurious Point Piper renovation is a quintessential ‘Sydney experience’. An enclave of relaxed understated elegance, the art-filled living level flows seamlessly out to terraces surrounded by lush gardens.

Willoughby

Glenstone Living

This is an example of a contemporary living room in Sydney with white walls, concrete floors, grey floor and brick walls.

THE BAREFOOT BAY VILLA

The Designory

This is an example of a contemporary living room in Other with grey walls, a hanging fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and brick walls.

Rosanna

DSdezines Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Contemporary Living Room

This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, beige floor, panelled walls and a plaster fireplace surround.

MIDDLE HARBOUR

ATELIER ALWILL

This is an example of a contemporary living room in Sydney.

Research Outer Eastern Melbourne

Substance Within

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Melbourne with white walls, grey floor and wallpaper.

Hill House

Kaiko Design Interiors

Main living space - Dulux Terracotta Chip paint on the upper and ceiling with Dulux suede effect in matching colour to lower Dado. Matching curved sofas with graphic black and white accents. All lighting custom designed - shop today at Kaiko Design

Stretchy Space

Ande Bunbury Architects

Built in storage hides entertainment equipment and incorporates a folded steel stair to a mezzanine storage space in this apartment. Custom designed floating shelves easily allow for a rotating display of the owners art collection. By keeping clutter hidden away this apartment is kept simple and spacious.

New Build

Artiman Homes

Photo of a contemporary open concept living room in Wollongong with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and wood walls.

Fingal

Rebekah Hampshire

This is an example of a contemporary living room in Melbourne.

Rosanna Family Home

Sally Feeney Interior Design Pty Ltd

Through the use of form and texture, we gave these spaces added dimension and soul. What was a flat blank wall is now the focus for the Family Room and includes a fireplace, TV and storage.

Hood House

Mihaly Slocombe

Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Altadore Residence

Avid Interior Design Inc.

New build dreams always require a clear design vision and this 3,650 sf home exemplifies that. Our clients desired a stylish, modern aesthetic with timeless elements to create balance throughout their home. With our clients intention in mind, we achieved an open concept floor plan complimented by an eye-catching open riser staircase. Custom designed features are showcased throughout, combined with glass and stone elements, subtle wood tones, and hand selected finishes. The entire home was designed with purpose and styled with carefully curated furnishings and decor that ties these complimenting elements together to achieve the end goal. At Avid Interior Design, our goal is to always take a highly conscious, detailed approach with our clients. With that focus for our Altadore project, we were able to create the desirable balance between timeless and modern, to make one more dream come true.

Surrey Hills Family Home

Hill House Interiors

Large contemporary formal living room in Surrey with beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and wallpaper.

Apartment 402, Ahmedabad

Abhishek Shah

Modern Living Room
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Ahmedabad with white walls, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and wood walls.

Town & Country

Rustic Fire Place

Town and Country Fireplaces
Photo of a small contemporary living room in Sacramento with a two-sided fireplace and no tv.

Projet Saint-Antoine

Atelier Germain

Une banquette sur mesure s’étend depuis la bibliothèque, créant un coin confortable et accueillant.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Paris with a library, blue walls, medium hardwood floors, no tv and wallpaper.

PRIVATE BUNGALOW

PR DESIZN LAB

This is an example of a contemporary living room in Mumbai with brown walls, a wall-mounted tv and wood walls.

Appartement haussmannien - Charonne

Sarah Khodri

Photo of a contemporary living room in Paris with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

All Wall Treatments Contemporary 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.