Created a living room for the entire family to enjoy and entertain friends and family.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal living room in Atlanta with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Breathtaking Bainbridge Island Estate

Caleb Melvin Photography

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.

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.

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.

Country Farm Home #2

Robbins Contracting

This is an example of a large country open concept family room in Denver with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Kiawah Island Lifestyle

Margaret Donaldson Interiors

Design ideas for a beach style family room in Charleston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Artisan 2019 - Michael Paul Design Build

Engstrom Wood Products

Photo of a beach style family room in Minneapolis with grey walls, a built-in media wall, a standard fireplace, dark hardwood floors, coffered, wood and planked wall panelling.

Family Room Renovation Hamilton Hall

Chaplin Home Improvements Ltd.

Conversion of a wood burning fireplace to gas. Added custom cabinetry and floating shelves on either side. Shiplap siding. Hidden TV Cables and mount. 200 year old barn beam as mantle.

Modern Cabin in the Mountains

Wyrick Residential Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Houston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Mountain Modern

CT Design

This living room was part of a larger main floor remodel that included the kitchen, dining room, entryway, and stair. The existing wood burning fireplace and moss rock was removed and replaced with rustic black stained paneling, a gas corner fireplace, and a soapstone hearth. New beams were added.

Génépi

B2 Atelier Bois

Small scandinavian family room in Bordeaux with white walls, dark hardwood floors, wood and planked wall panelling.

Hemphill Park

Scheer & Co. Interior Design

This is an example of an eclectic open concept living room in Austin with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

Artisan Park: 835 Artisan Parkway

Bentley Construction LLC

Transitional open concept living room in Louisville with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Gas Fireplace Install

Griffin Engineering LLC

Installation of a gas fireplace in a family room: This design is painted tumbled brick with solid red oak mantle. The owner wanted shiplap to extend upward from the mantle and tie into the ceiling. The stack was designed to carry up through the roof to provide proper ventilation in a coastal environment. The Household WIFI/Sonos/Surround sound system is integrated behind the TV.

Brennan Residence

Geoff Chick & Associates

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style enclosed family room in Other with a home bar, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, coffered and planked wall panelling.

Fun and Colorful in San Jose

Carmit Oron Interior Design

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.

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.

Walnut Grove

TOTAL CONCEPTS

Inspiration for a country open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

The Modern Farmhouse

Lifestyle by Stadler

This is an example of a mid-sized country open concept living room in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Katama Fields

Martha's Vineyard Interior Design

Interior Design: Liz Stiving-Nichols Photography: Michael J. Lee
Beach style family room in Boston with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, planked wall panelling and decorative wall panelling.

Living Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood Floors 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.