Design ideas for a beach style living room in Seattle with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted, wood and planked wall panelling.

Basement Refresh

MiraJeanDesigns

Design ideas for a transitional family room in DC Metro with white walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Tall Timbers, WaterColor

Anthony J. Vallée

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and planked wall panelling.

Transitional Living Room

Small transitional open concept living room in Indianapolis with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Creighton Woods

Judith Balis Interiors

I used soft arches, warm woods, and loads of texture to create a warm and sophisticated yet casual space.
Design ideas for a mid-sized country living room in Boise with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Moroccan Fushion

Coyle Carpet One Floor & Home

6 1/2-inch wide engineered Weathered Maple by Casabella - collection: Provincial, selection: Fredicton
Design ideas for a country formal open concept living room with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Strongbow Living Room Refresh

Shine Design

Design ideas for a transitional family room in Indianapolis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Coder Residence

Starwood Custom Homes

This is an example of a large modern open concept living room in Phoenix with a home bar, white walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, timber and planked wall panelling.

Montenero Family Room

Del Sur Designs

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional enclosed family room in San Diego with white walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, brown floor, dark hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv and planked wall panelling.

Cliffside Farmhouse // Modern Farmhouse

Younger Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Austin with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Living Room Facelift

Grayscale Homes Designs

Photo of a large country open concept living room in New York with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Century Oak Farmhouse

Old Barn Design

Vaulted ceilings accented with scissor trusses. 2 sets of french doors lead out to a screened porch.
This is an example of a large country family room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Mclaughlin

Meg Blu Home

Photo of a mid-sized country open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, timber, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Birch Road Beach House

GLDESIGN

Large beach style enclosed living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a built-in media wall, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Shifting Gears

Esslinger Design Company

Photography by Picture Perfect House
Mid-sized transitional open concept family room in Chicago with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and planked wall panelling.

Sherman Oaks Eclectic

Meridith Baer Home

Design ideas for an eclectic living room in Los Angeles with white walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, red floor, exposed beam, timber, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Modern Farm House, Los Gatos

De Mattei Construction

This is an example of a country family room in San Francisco with a home bar, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Harbor View

Albert, Righter & Tittmann Architects, Inc.

Harbor View is a modern-day interpretation of the shingled vacation houses of its seaside community. The gambrel roof, horizontal, ground-hugging emphasis, and feeling of simplicity, are all part of the character of the place. While fitting in with local traditions, Harbor View is meant for modern living. The kitchen is a central gathering spot, open to the main combined living/dining room and to the waterside porch. One easily moves between indoors and outdoors. The house is designed for an active family, a couple with three grown children and a growing number of grandchildren. It is zoned so that the whole family can be there together but retain privacy. Living, dining, kitchen, library, and porch occupy the center of the main floor. One-story wings on each side house two bedrooms and bathrooms apiece, and two more bedrooms and bathrooms and a study occupy the second floor of the central block. The house is mostly one room deep, allowing cross breezes and light from both sides. The porch, a third of which is screened, is a main dining and living space, with a stone fireplace offering a cozy place to gather on summer evenings. A barn with a loft provides storage for a car or boat off-season and serves as a big space for projects or parties in summer.

Water's Edge

ID by Gwen

Inspiration for a beach style open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

CRAFTSMAN BEACH HOUSE

VanderMeer Homes Ltd.

Design ideas for an arts and crafts living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Living Design Ideas with a Standard Fireplace and Planked Wall Panelling

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.