Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Seattle with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

Living Room

David Watkins Home Design, LLC

In order to make the ceiling higher (original ceilings in this remodel were only 8' tall), we introduced new trusses and created a gently curved vaulted ceiling. Vary cozy.

Oceanside Luxury Residence - Bodega Bay, CA

California Craftsman

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Sacramento with beige walls, carpet, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Smithtown Artisan Home

Aspect Design Build

Inspiration for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, no tv, brown floor and a wood fireplace surround.

DUPLEX FLAT

CULTURALS INTERIOR DESIGNERS

sanjay choWith a view of sun set from Hall, master bed room and sons bedroom. With gypsum ceiling, vitrified flooring, long snug L shaped sofa, a huge airy terrace , muted colours and quirky accents, the living room is an epitome of contemporary luxury, use of Indian art and craft, the terrace with gorgeous view of endless greenery, is a perfect indulgence! Our client says ‘’ sipping on a cup of coffee surrounded by lush greenery is the best way to recoup our energies and get ready to face another day’’.The terrace is also a family favourite on holidays, as all gather here for impromptu dinners under the stars. Since the dining area requires some intimate space.ugale

nice workes

Kaiden Seidel interior decorations

Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in New Orleans with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Réglisse et menthe à l'eau

La Valise Rouge

Aménagement et décoration d'un espace salon.
Expansive eclectic formal open concept living room in Nantes with medium hardwood floors and multi-coloured walls.

Orchard Hills - Late Brigham MidCentury Modern Whole House

Custom Design/Build, Inc.

This is an example of a midcentury formal open concept living room in Detroit with a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Thunderbird Walls

Thunderbird Custom Design

Photo of a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Phoenix with beige walls, travertine floors, no fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Shawnee, OK

User

Formal Living Room at Traditional Shawnee Project
Design ideas for an expansive traditional formal open concept living room in Oklahoma City with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Rustic Living Room

Inspiration for a country formal living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors and a stone fireplace surround.

Historic Townhouse

Lindsay Architecture Studio, P.C.

A spacious sunlit Living Room with seating around two traditional fireplaces, has views to both the historic street front and to the private garden behind. Original wood window shutters were preserved along with many other wood molding details. Richard Mandelkorn Photographer

Mountain Air Cottage

User

Inviting mountain living room done in white stained wood for a brighter feel.
Mid-sized country formal open concept living room in Charlotte with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Vermont Castings

Hearthside Fireplace & Patio

Mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Providence with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Snuggery

Stephens & Company, Inc.

Wendy Mills
Photo of a beach style formal living room in Boston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a stone fireplace surround.

Architekt Stefan Schramm - Chalet in Kitzbühel

Architekt Stefan Schramm

Daniela Polak und Wolf Lux
Design ideas for a country formal enclosed living room in Munich with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Heirloom - Old World Grace

BECKS Quality Cabinets, Inc.

Photographer: Sundown Photography
Photo of a large traditional formal open concept living room in Other with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Liberty Bungalow

KJM Design Studio

Photo of a mid-sized arts and crafts formal open concept living room in Detroit with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Contemporary Farmhouse

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Design ideas for a transitional formal open concept living room in Grand Rapids with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Handcrafted Luxury Log Home

Caribou Creek Log & Timber

This is an example of an expansive country formal open concept living room in Other with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Formal 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 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.