A cabin in Western Wisconsin is transformed from within to become a serene and modern retreat. In a past life, this cabin was a fishing cottage which was part of a resort built in the 1920’s on a small lake not far from the Twin Cities. The cabin has had multiple additions over the years so improving flow to the outdoor space, creating a family friendly kitchen, and relocating a bigger master bedroom on the lake side were priorities. The solution was to bring the kitchen from the back of the cabin up to the front, reduce the size of an overly large bedroom in the back in order to create a more generous front entry way/mudroom adjacent to the kitchen, and add a fireplace in the center of the main floor. Photographer: Wing Ta Interior Design: Jennaea Gearhart Design

Historic Stanton Park Renovation in Capitol Hill, DC

Finesse Design Remodeling

Photo of a small traditional enclosed living room in DC Metro with a library, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Wellesley Art Deco Renovation

Meyer & Meyer, Inc. Architecture and Interiors

Inspiration for a large contemporary enclosed living room in Boston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and purple floor.

House Renovation (Lynn Valley, North Vancouver)

Denj Homes

Mid-sized modern formal enclosed living room in Vancouver with white walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Contemporary Farmhouse

EKO Development

Photo of a large transitional enclosed living room in New York with a home bar, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Rio Vista Waterfront

Knowles Design

Photo of a traditional formal enclosed living room in Miami with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Lonsdale Road

Granit Architects + Interiors

Photo Credit - Andrew Beasley
Traditional formal enclosed living room in London with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Newport Coast

Bliss Home and Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Orange County with beige walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a wood fireplace surround.

Vertical Blinds

Made in the Shade Blinds of Placer County

Photo of a mid-sized asian formal enclosed living room in Sacramento with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Colourful Interior for a Period Home

Ivywell Interiors | Bristol

This bay-fronted living room was transformedww thanks to a new bold colour scheme. We added panelling to create depth with a deep blue on the walls and tonal grey to lower the tall ceilings and create a more intimate setting. The furniture was replaced with bespoke sofa and fabric from British sofa maker William Yeoward. The gas fireplace was also replaced and curtains lined with a border to give them a new lease of life.

Collaboration with DFS for the DFS Interiors Theatre at the Ideal Home Show

Style So Simple

What’s your thing with DFS - How To Create A Serene, Calm Home. ‘'My thing is making your home your sanctuary, using sumptuous fabrics, neutral tones and clever pairings to create the ultimate in laid-back luxury.’’ My dream room includes the DFS Extravagance sofa with beautiful wooden lattice detailing on the arms, creating an artisanal effect and stylish point of contrast to a neutral décor. I have combined the sofa with the Still chair from the Halo Luxe collection exclusively at DFS. The popular Carrera coffee table in white marble effect completes this look.

Living Rooms | Great Rooms | Family Rooms

MBID International

Design ideas for a mid-sized country formal enclosed living room in Other with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Thames Ditton Lounge Fireplace & Display Cabinets

PH London

Living room Fireplace and built-in display cabinets for Thames Ditton project. Photography by James Balston
Photo of a large transitional formal enclosed living room in London with grey walls, laminate floors, a wood stove and a wood fireplace surround.

Park Avenue Empty Nesters

Toledo Geller

Design ideas for a large transitional formal enclosed living room in New York with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding tv, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mill Valley

Tulip Hardwood Floors

Chambers + Chambers Architects
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and no tv.

Cellular Shades & Arches

Rose's Drapery Designs

Graber
Mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Columbus with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and no tv.

Sixth St.

John Lodge Architects

Horne Visual Media
Photo of a small transitional enclosed living room in Boston with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv, a music area, blue walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Quick-Step Brazilian Cherry Laminate Flooring

Bestlaminate

Warm up your space with this soothing Brazilian cherry laminate flooring.
Design ideas for a mid-sized country enclosed living room in Cleveland with a library, white walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Aviemore

V Fine Homes

Large traditional enclosed living room in Dallas with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Casa Algere Southwestern Home

Pink Dwelling

Small enclosed living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

Enclosed Living Room Design Photos with a Wood Fireplace Surround

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.