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

Bryn Mawr Poolhouse

Stonehaven Homes

Beach style family room in Philadelphia with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Pinecrest Residence

Anders Lasater Architects

photo by Chad Mellon
Design ideas for a large beach style open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, vaulted, wood and planked wall panelling.

Hollywood Tudor

Cait Sourapas Interior Design

Photo of a transitional family room in Los Angeles with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Tarzana

Trinity Builders & Design, Inc.

Large contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with a wall-mounted tv, white walls, a plaster fireplace surround, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and brown floor.

Transitional Arcadia

CJ Gershon Photography

This is an example of a country family room in Phoenix with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Midcentury Modern Custom Home Build in Eagle

Solitude Homes

Expansive transitional open concept living room in Boise with medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, brown floor, white walls, a brick fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

25 Queens

Young Architects

Living Room looking across exterior terrace to swimming pool.
Design ideas for a large contemporary living room in Christchurch with white walls, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, beige floor, light hardwood floors and a ribbon fireplace.

Contemporary Twist on an Eclectic Del Mar Home

Hamilton-Gray Design, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in San Diego with white walls, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor, a library, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Landon

Frankel Design Build

Inspiration for an expansive traditional open concept family room in Houston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and a library.

Deepwoods Living Room

Suzanna Santostefano

This is an example of a transitional living room in Austin with white walls, a brick fireplace surround, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Irvin Simmons

Endurance Custom Homes

Transitional living room in Dallas with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

French Country meets Palm Beach

JMA INTERIOR DESIGN

Brantley Photography
This is an example of a formal living room in Miami with white walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and beige floor.

Spinnaker Bay

Kennedy Cole Interior Design

Contemporary Coastal Living Room Design: Three Salt Design Co. Build: UC Custom Homes Photo: Chad Mellon
Photo of a mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, medium hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Beacon Hill Duplex

Eleven Interiors

Photographer: Greg Premru
This is an example of a transitional family room in Boston with light hardwood floors, a library, white walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

W 26 Barsati

Shreya Krishnan Design Office

Satyansh Singh
Mid-sized asian enclosed living room in Delhi with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Modern Belle

Colby Construction

Inspiration for a country open concept living room in Milwaukee with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Modern Family & Games Room

Inspiration for an expansive modern open concept family room in London with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, concrete floors and grey floor.

Chelsea Pied-à-terre

STADTArchitecture

Living Room with Acid Etched Glass Doors Closed. Photo by: David Mitchell
Small contemporary formal enclosed living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, brown floor and no fireplace.

Designs Featuring Andersen Windows & Doors

Builders Alliance LLC

Design ideas for a beach style open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, carpet and brown floor.

Glass Doors 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.