This project, an extensive remodel and addition to an existing modern residence high above Silicon Valley, was inspired by dominant images and textures from the site: boulders, bark, and leaves. We created a two-story addition clad in traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban burnt wood siding that anchors home and site. Natural textures also prevail in the cosmetic remodeling of all the living spaces. The new volume adjacent to an expanded kitchen contains a family room and staircase to an upper guest suite. The original home was a joint venture between Min | Day as Design Architect and Burks Toma Architects as Architect of Record and was substantially completed in 1999. In 2005, Min | Day added the swimming pool and related outdoor spaces. Schwartz and Architecture (SaA) began work on the addition and substantial remodel of the interior in 2009, completed in 2015. Photo by Matthew Millman

The Ridges

Design by Sasha

Modern chandelier
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Las Vegas with grey walls, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and black floor.

Penthouse @ Pune

ACDS

Contemporary formal living room in Pune with white walls and black floor.

Contemporary Living Room

Contemporary open concept living room in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and black floor.

Ultra Modern Semi-Detached/Residence 2

Claridge Construction

Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Adelaide with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace and black floor.

Casa LV

Bernardo Pozas Residential Design

This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Austin with white walls and black floor.

Seventeen/2 Edinburgh

Studio Dean

Dark and dramatic living room featuring this stunning bay window seat. Built in furniture makes the most of the compact space whilst sumptuous textures, rich colours and black walls bring drama a-plenty. Photo Susie Lowe

Wohnzimmer mit Kamin

Viebrockhaus

Im großzügigen Wohnzimmer ist genügend Platz für eine Sofaecke zum fern sehen und zwei Recamieren vor dem Kaminfeuer.
Expansive contemporary formal open concept living room in Hamburg with white walls, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, black floor and a freestanding tv.

Whole House Remodel In Brentwoo

Mega Builders

Martin King Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with dark hardwood floors, a built-in media wall, grey walls, black floor and no fireplace.

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.

Mandler Project

Withers and Grain

Contemporary living room in New York with grey walls, a wall-mounted tv and black floor.

Sunset Leather Chaise Lounge by Gamma Arredamenti

RoomService 360

Manufactured in Italy by Gamma Arredamenti, Sunset Sofa is bold and casually serene during the day but unabashedly glamorous at night. Drawing its aesthetic inspirations from the multifaceted demands of modern lifestyle, Sunset Modern Leather Sofa allows for sitting areas to double as lounges and, on occasion serve as temporary sleeping areas because of its unique backrest mechanism that moves back.

Pocono Residence

bahdeebahdu

Photo of a contemporary formal enclosed living room in Philadelphia with beige walls, a standard fireplace and black floor.

Ledge Stone Veneer Fireplaces

HX Home Solutions and North Star Stone

For a sophisticated, yet elegant look, consider our Ledge stone Style Stone (also referred to as a ledge stone or drystack (dry stack stone veneer). These stones are longer and more narrow than our cobble stone. There is a lot of relief (depth and character of the stone). See more of our Ledge Stone Veneer here: https://northstarstone.biz/stone-fireplace-design-galleries/ledgestone-fireplace-picture-gallery/

Modern Mill

Donald Lococo Architects

Owner, architect, and site merged a design from their mutual association with the river. Located on the edge of Goose Creek, the owner was drawn to the site, reminiscent of a river from his youth that he used to tube down with friends and a 6-pack of beer. The architect, although growing up a country way, had similar memories along the water. Design gains momentum from conversations of built forms they recall floating along: mills and industrial compounds lining waterways that once acted as their lifeline. The common memories of floating past stone abutments and looking up at timber trussed bridges from below inform the interior. The concept extends into the hardscape in piers, and terraces that recall those partial elements remaining in and around the river. ©️Maxwell MacKenzie

Middlepark Residence

BALDASSO CORTESE

Tom Blachford
Contemporary living room in Melbourne with a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and black floor.

Yorkville Luxury Townhome

Laura Hay DECOR & DESIGN Inc.

Gillian Jackson
Photo of a contemporary formal living room in Toronto with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, black floor and dark hardwood floors.

Birchgrove House

Melocco and Moore Architects

Extensive sliding and bi-fold timber doors fold away to bring the garden into the living space, blurring the connection between inside and outside.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with green walls, slate floors, no fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and black floor.

Whale Beach House

TM Design Studio

Design ideas for a contemporary living room in Sydney with white walls, painted wood floors, a wood stove and black floor.

3350 Mission Flat

Martine Paquin Design

Lucas Fladzinski
Inspiration for a contemporary formal open concept living room in San Francisco with a two-sided fireplace, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and black floor.

Contemporary Living Room Design Photos with Black Floor

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.