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

R Residence

archer design

Central to the success of this project is the seamless link between interior and exterior zones. The external zones free-flow off the interior to create a sophisticated yet secluded space to lounge, entertain and dine.

Wellesley Residence 2

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael. J Lee Photography
Mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Boston with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, grey floor and wallpaper.

Diseño de gran piso en azul y blanco

Sube Interiorismo

Large beach style formal open concept living room in Malaga with beige walls, marble floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, grey floor, coffered and wallpaper.

Meadowdale

JPStyles

Inspiration for a large country formal enclosed living room in Baltimore with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

RedBank Renovation

AHD&Co

This is an example of a country formal living room in New York with blue walls, medium hardwood floors and planked wall panelling.

Haus K Alzenau

Architekturbüro Next Habitat

Sitz und Liegefenster mit Blick in den Garten
Expansive modern formal living room in Frankfurt with concrete floors, grey floor and wood walls.

Moorsfort

Juliet Murphy Photography

Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in London with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and wallpaper.

Chelsea townhouse

Angel O'Donnell

The large oval coffee table is made from a high-gloss, cloudy-brown vellum. The puffy, nimbus-like shapes have an ephemeral quality, as if they could evaporate at any moment. By contrast, two angular lounge chairs have been upholstered in a fabric of equally striking angles. Richly embroidered curtains mix matte and metallic yarns that play the light beautifully. These things, combined with the densely textured wallpaper, create a room full of varied surfaces, shapes and patterns.

Waxhaw Kitchen & Primary Bath Remodel

ReVision Design/Remodeling

© Lassiter Photography | ReVisionCharlotte.com
Inspiration for a small transitional formal open concept living room in Charlotte with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor, vaulted and brick walls.

Formal Sitting Room, Belfast

Cher Simpson Watt Interiors

Luxury Sitting Room in Belfast. Includes paneling, shagreen textured wallpaper, bespoke joinery, furniture and soft furnishings. Faux Fur and silk cushions complete this comfortable corner.

Private Waterfront Residence on the Chester River

Purple Cherry Architects

Extensive custom millwork can be seen throughout the entire home, but especially in the living room.
This is an example of an expansive traditional formal open concept living room in Baltimore with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Elmhurst Residence

Polay Interiors

Inspiration for a small transitional formal open concept living room in Chicago with green walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv, brown floor, coffered and wallpaper.

Dublin Living Room Remodel

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

Formal living room with a stone surround fire place as the focal point. A golden chandelier hangs over the seating area.
Photo of a large transitional formal enclosed living room in Columbus with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

АПАРТАМЕНТЫ NEVA TOWERS

Anastasia Kovalchuk

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary formal living room in Moscow with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding tv, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

Fun and Colorful in San Jose

Carmit Oron Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Bayfront Beauty

April Balliette

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary formal open concept living room in Tampa with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and wallpaper.

Driving Run Living Room

Lydia Maskiell Interiors

This is an example of a contemporary formal enclosed living room in Hobart with grey walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, no tv, grey floor and panelled walls.

Transitional Living Room

Mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in San Diego with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no tv, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

Tiptop II

Carlton Edwards

David Dietrich Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Nashville with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

All Wall Treatments 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.