Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Yarrawarrah Private Residence

Michelle Viret Design

Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors and grey floor.

Cannon Valley Abode

Tempus Design Studio Pty Ltd

This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

Wahroonga

Angela Steyn & Co Design

Contemporary living room
Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

WEST MELBOURNE 01

Ed Ewers Architecture

This is an example of an industrial living room in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, grey floor and wood.

Lurline Bay House - Part 1

D'Cruz Design Group

Expansive contemporary formal open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

The Bromley

Dalecki Design

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Perth with white walls and grey floor.

Stretchy Space

Ande Bunbury Architects

Built in storage hides entertainment equipment and incorporates a folded steel stair to a mezzanine storage space in this apartment. Custom designed floating shelves easily allow for a rotating display of the owners art collection. By keeping clutter hidden away this apartment is kept simple and spacious.

Elwood Apartment

Camilla Molders Design

A colorful living room and art wall
Design ideas for a small eclectic enclosed living room in Melbourne with white walls and light hardwood floors.

Research Outer Eastern Melbourne

Substance Within

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Melbourne with white walls, grey floor and wallpaper.

Preston House

Katherine Charlton Design

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Balmain Terrace House

Annie Bowen Design

Adding a top and lower ground floor created room for everyone to spread out. Ease of entertaining was key for the owners, so maximising the home’s formal rooms, designing a kitchen for large-scale cooking and creating outdoor spaces to gather are much-loved additions.

Lyneham - Extension & Renovation

Build Professional

Nathan Lanham Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Canberra - Queanbeyan with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Renovation Burleigh Heads

Stuart Osman

Photo of a beach style formal enclosed living room in Gold Coast - Tweed with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Recupero creativo per la mansarda

adriano pecchio photographer

ph by © adriano pecchio Progetto Davide Varetto architetto
Design ideas for a small modern open concept living room in Turin with white walls, porcelain floors and a wall-mounted tv.

RGN Construction

Waterfront Home on Mutiny Bay
This is an example of a contemporary living room in Seattle with white walls.

Living Room

Paul Moon Design

Expansive traditional living room in Seattle with a standard fireplace, no tv, white walls and dark hardwood floors.

Richland House

First Lamp

Steve Keating
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and white floor.

Urban Townhome Living Room

LORRAINE G VALE, Allied ASID

In this combination living room/ family room, form vs function is at it's best.. Formal enough to host a cocktail party, and comfortable enough to host a football game. The wrap around sectional accommodates 5-6 people and the oversized ottoman has room enough for everyone to put their feet up! The high back, stylized wing chair offers comfort and a lamp for reading. Decorative accessories are placed in the custom built bookcases freeing table top space for drinks, books, etc. Magazines and current reading are neatly placed in the rattan tray for easy access. The overall neutral color palette is punctuated by soft shades of blue around the room. LORRAINE G VALE photo by Michael Costa

MODERN COTTAGE

Lissa Lee Hickman

This is an example of a large transitional formal open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and coffered.

Living Design Ideas with White Walls

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.