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.

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.

Residential

spacemekk designers p ltd

Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Pune with beige walls, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and wood walls.

Wohnzimmer mit Schiebelamelle

Benjamin von Pidoll I Architektur

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary formal open concept living room in Other with a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and wood walls.

Lakeside Modern Lodge

WERK | Building Modern

Open concept living space opens to dining, kitchen, and covered deck - HLODGE - Unionville, IN - Lake Lemon - HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles (architect + photographer) - WERK | Building Modern (builder)

Contemporary Living Room

Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, wood walls and a ribbon fireplace.

Rumelihisari

esra kazmirci mimarlik

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wood walls.

Hillside House on Chesapeake

Hays + Ewing Design Studio

Exterior shiplap siding walls extend from the exterior into the interior to bring the outside in and extend views to nature.
Design ideas for a contemporary living room in Other with medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wood walls.

Nottinghill

Frahm Interiors - Burlington ON

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Toronto with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and wood walls.

Custom Created Fireplace Media Wall.

Delta Kitchens Ltd

Custom created media wall to house Flamerite integrated fire and TV with Porcelanosa wood effect tiles.
Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Glasgow with brown walls, vinyl floors, a wood fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor and wood walls.

A Way In

Steven Allen Designs, LLC

2019 Addition/Remodel by Steven Allen Designs, LLC - Featuring Clean Subtle lines + 42" Front Door + 48" Italian Tiles + Quartz Countertops + Custom Shaker Cabinets + Oak Slat Wall and Trim Accents + Design Fixtures + Artistic Tiles + Wild Wallpaper + Top of Line Appliances

Appartamento ZM

BURNAZZI FELTRIN ARCHITETTI

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in Other with a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and wood walls.

Hinkler House

R ARCHITECTURE

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, wood walls, a wood fireplace surround, recessed, a built-in media wall and brown 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.

Wohn- und Esszimmer

BRÜNING INTERIORS

Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Other with beige walls, ceramic floors, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and wood walls.

Réaménagement d'une maison familiale - Osny

GLMT Architecture

Le salon réutilise les code couleurs mais en ajoutant un touche de bois pour apporté de la chaleur à l'espace.
Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Paris with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, recessed and wood walls.

Accent Walls

Accent Wall & Door Specialist

paint
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Minneapolis with blue walls and wood walls.

Cool Contemporary

HoneyBee Designz

Contemporary living room with custom walnut and porcelain like marble wall feature.
Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Miami with grey walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, grey floor, vaulted and wood walls.

Mountain Modern Lodge

VPC Builders, LLC

VPC’s featured Custom Home Project of the Month for March is the spectacular Mountain Modern Lodge. With six bedrooms, six full baths, and two half baths, this custom built 11,200 square foot timber frame residence exemplifies breathtaking mountain luxury. The home borrows inspiration from its surroundings with smooth, thoughtful exteriors that harmonize with nature and create the ultimate getaway. A deck constructed with Brazilian hardwood runs the entire length of the house. Other exterior design elements include both copper and Douglas Fir beams, stone, standing seam metal roofing, and custom wire hand railing. Upon entry, visitors are introduced to an impressively sized great room ornamented with tall, shiplap ceilings and a patina copper cantilever fireplace. The open floor plan includes Kolbe windows that welcome the sweeping vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The great room also includes access to the vast kitchen and dining area that features cabinets adorned with valances as well as double-swinging pantry doors. The kitchen countertops exhibit beautifully crafted granite with double waterfall edges and continuous grains. VPC’s Modern Mountain Lodge is the very essence of sophistication and relaxation. Each step of this contemporary design was created in collaboration with the homeowners. VPC Builders could not be more pleased with the results of this custom-built residence.

Custom Infill-Lofty Living

Bella Vista Developments

Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and wood walls.

Contemporary Living Room Design Photos with Wood Walls

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.