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

Arlington Model Home - Davidson, NC

AR HOMES - CHARLOTTE AND LAKE NORMAN

Arthur Rutenberg Homes
Inspiration for a transitional open concept family room in Charlotte with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Arlington Bungalow

Alison Giese Interiors

A prior great room addition was made more open and functional with an optimal seating arrangement, flexible furniture options. The brick wall ties the space to the original portion of the home, as well as acting as a focal point.

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.

Mid-Century Modern, Whole House Renovation in Spring Mill Indianapolis

WrightWorks, LLC

The original masonry fireplace, with brick veneer and floating steel framed hearth. The hearth was re-surfaced with a concrete, poured in place counter material. Low voltage, MR-16 recessed lights accent the fireplace and artwork. A small sidelight brings natural light in to wash the brick fireplace as well. Photo by Christopher Wright, CR

MAC Building Solutions - Caistor Rd

MAC Building Solutions Ltd

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a freestanding tv.

Fireplace Inspiration

Ames Tile & Stone Ltd.

Industrial open concept family room in Vancouver with a library, white walls, a wood stove and a brick fireplace surround.

Family house in East Sussex

Georgina Gibson Interior Design

Photographer James French
Photo of a country formal living room in Sussex with white walls, a wood stove and light hardwood floors.

Jindal Residence

Group DCA

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Delhi with white walls and multi-coloured floor.

MODERN FARMHOUSE TALLAHASSEE

BRIDGEWATER BUILDERS, LLC

Design ideas for a country enclosed family room in Atlanta with white walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

The sparkin' new home

Planet Fur

Design ideas for an eclectic living room in Amsterdam with white walls.

Rénovation et restructuration complète d’une maison dans le vieux Lille 59 000

MAISON TOURO

Inspiration for an industrial open concept living room in Lille with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and brown floor.

Broome Street Loft

DHD Architecture and Interior Design

Inspiration for an industrial open concept living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Slimline aluminium sliding door

Perla Windows Ltd

We were approached by this client who wanted to bring as much light as possible into their Victorian home renovation. The result was the installation of floor to ceiling internal steel partitions to the central home office which allowed light to floor through the whole of the ground floor. The external sliding doors used were made from our slimline system which has minimal sight-lines and incorporates high performance glass. These were used on the upper floors also as windows.

Triplex Apartment in Upper West Side

Tara Benet Design

Inspiration for a scandinavian open concept living room in Other with white walls and light hardwood floors.

Lincoln Park Residence with custom sheer drapery and roller shades

Urban Environments

Design ideas for a mid-sized industrial formal open concept living room in Chicago with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, no tv, white walls and no fireplace.

Reiko Feng Shui Interior Design - Loft renovation

Reiko Feng Shui Design

This is an example of an industrial family room in New York with a library, white walls, dark hardwood floors and no tv.

Preston I

Stonehouse + Irons Architecture

Contemporary open concept family room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Deer Vista

Landmarks West

This is an example of a country formal living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, no fireplace, no tv and medium hardwood floors.

Fairfield.2

Excelsior Master Builder

Renovation of existing victorian and modern extension to rear creating amazing light with splayed vaulted ceiling in select grade ply. Kitchen comprises combination of stone and recycled timber giving a warm feel with black butt flooring through out. Photos by Emma Cross

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.