INT2 architecture
Photo of a large scandinavian open concept living room in Saint Petersburg with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors and grey floor.

Two Belles Napa Family Compound- Farmhouse, old stone building, red barn

Polsky Perlstein Architects

photo by Michael Hospelt
Inspiration for a country family room in San Francisco with a library, white walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Mill Valley Traditional

SINGLEPOINT DESIGN BUILD INC.

This is an example of a small transitional open concept living room in San Francisco with dark hardwood floors, grey floor, a home bar, white walls, no fireplace and no tv.

Appartamento Via Alfieri - Firenze

ZPSTUDIO

This is an example of a small traditional open concept family room in Florence with a library, white walls, marble floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and white floor.

Contemporary Custom Home

Lochwood-Lozier Custom Homes

This is an example of a large contemporary enclosed living room in Seattle with a home bar, white walls, linoleum floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Peponi Pine Lodge

Charles Todd Helton Architect, Inc.

Inspiration for a traditional enclosed living room in Houston with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, no tv and brown floor.

Library - Newton Custom Home - 03

Fallon Custom Homes & Renovations

Bead board ceiling - white wood ceiling - bookshelf White painted wood study - cathedral ceiling ------ Architect - Patrick Ahearn / Photographer - Shelly Harrison

Transitional Living Room

Small transitional living room in London with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Contemporary Home

Glacier Window & Door

Photo of a midcentury open concept living room in Portland with a library, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove and orange floor.

Maple Hill Farm

WillowRidge Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts enclosed family room in Other with a library, beige walls, medium hardwood floors and no tv.

Olana Drive

Hills & Grant

photo: Lisa Petrole
Photo of a large modern open concept living room in San Francisco with a home bar, white walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Booth & Williams Lifestyle

Booth & Williams

Booth & Williams
Mid-sized modern living room in Atlanta with a library and brown walls.

Hsiu's East London apartment

Homewings

Homewings designer Francesco created a beautiful scandi living space for Hsiu. The room is an open plan kitchen/living area so it was important to create segments within the space. The cost effective ikea rug frames the seating area perfectly and the Marks and Spencer knitted pouffe is multi functional as a foot rest and spare seat. The room is calm and stylish with that air of scandi charm.

Family Room - The Debonair - Multi-Story Cascade-Craftsman

Cascade West Development

The Debonair : Cascade-Craftsman in Mt Vista Washington by Cascade West Development Inc. Cascade West Facebook: https://goo.gl/MCD2U1 Cascade West Website: https://goo.gl/XHm7Un These photos, like many of ours, were taken by the good people of ExposioHDR - Portland, Or Exposio Facebook: https://goo.gl/SpSvyo Exposio Website: https://goo.gl/Cbm8Ya

Cordillera Summit Residence

Reed Design Group

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept family room in Denver with a library, white walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Big Rock House

Johnston Architects

Inspiration for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Seattle with a library, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, brown walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

HoleyWood 3D reclaimed panels for living room

Westwood Millworks

Change the look of any room by adding the natural beauty of wood to your home decor. Holey Wood wall paneling adds character, warmth and a rustic feel to any residential or commercial wall decor. The wall planks have a real 3D wood structure with deep distressed natural cracks in the wood.

Lincoln Park

Elizabeth Krueger Design

Mid-sized contemporary enclosed family room with a library, grey walls, carpet, no fireplace, no tv and grey floor.

Cabinets & Built-ins

Park City Woodworks

Photo of a mid-sized country enclosed family room in Salt Lake City with a library, beige walls, carpet, no fireplace and no tv.

Family House in North London

VORBILD Architecture

The front reception room has reclaimed oak parquet flooring, a new marble fireplace surround and a wood burner and floating shelves either side of the fireplace. An antique decorative mirror hangs centrally above the fire place. Photography by Chris Snook

Living Design Ideas with a Home Bar and a Library

The best room for gathering with your family and friends in a cosy environment is your living room or family room. You want to hang out where the lounge furniture is the most comfortable and sofas or chairs create a sense of homeliness. Filling this important space with cheap furniture is unlikely to bring you the same long-lasting comfort as a quality chaise lounge or a couch. These choices will directly affect the quality of your evenings as you wind down from the daily grind. While planning a renovation or redesign, weigh up the priorities of seating, heating, an entertainment unit and bookcases. Identify your main activity in the room and and design around that. Many living rooms aren't complete without a fireplace, but if you can't accommodate that, invest in built-in or furniture that suits your home. Common trends include Danish furniture and other kinds of Scandinavian furniture. Plush sofas, recliner chairs and sofa beds will always be popular. Finally, when the big components are planned out, think about what colour scheme and decor will best suit you and your family. If needed, an interior designer can help here.

Should I include a fireplace in my living room or family room?

Depending on your climate, a fireplace might be a great way to add warmth and interest to your living space. Even if your location is warm year-round, you can always add a faux fireplace or nonfunctioning fireplace as part of your decor. There are many options to choose from, so be sure to check them out. A wood-burning fireplace gives an authentic experience, though a gas one still emits heat without the mess. A double-sided or corner unit strays from the ordinary, or you can go with a wood stove fireplace if you're looking for a piece of art. If you want a contemporary touch, veer away from the traditional wood or tile mantel by going with stone, concrete or metal instead.

What kind of built-ins should I add to my living room?

Although it might not seem glamorous, having enough storage is instrumental when it comes to keeping the room organised and practical. Built-in bookcases, shelves and cabinets are a great way to add hidden, functional storage for all the knickknacks you accumulate. Movie and gaming buffs will love a custom entertainment centre, with enough cabinets for movies, speakers and electronic accessories; you can even create a media room with a projector and lounge chairs! If you still have room to spare, include a booth for homework or craft projects.

How do I decorate my home interiors?

When it comes to decorating, neutrals are always the safe option because they look good and never go out of style. They also give any artwork you hang enough breathing space. If you do want to try out a bolder colour scheme, add colour with walls and accessories. That way, if you get sick of a colour, you can quickly repaint the walls and find new knickknacks, instead of having to replace your sofas every time trends change. Popular colours include blue, green and grey, but don't be afraid to try bright colours like red or yellow, even if it's just on an accent wall. Finally, make sure there is plenty of light. Recessed or track lighting are great ways to hit every corner — better yet, add more natural light by installing additional windows or a skylight.