built in, cabin, custom-made, family-friendly, lake house, living room furniture, ranch home, sitting area, upholstered benches, upholstered sofa
Country living room in Sacramento with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, vaulted, wood and wood walls.

Oakland Mid Century

Emerson Grace Design

Design ideas for a midcentury living room in San Francisco with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, beige floor, vaulted and wood walls.

City Cabin

Dovetail General Contractors

Triple-glazed windows by Unilux and reclaimed fir cladding on interior walls.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with concrete floors, a library, brown walls, brown floor and wood walls.

Downland Barns

McLean Quinlan

Nestled into a hillside, this timber-framed family home enjoys uninterrupted views out across the countryside of the North Downs. A newly built property, it is an elegant fusion of traditional crafts and materials with contemporary design. Our clients had a vision for a modern sustainable house with practical yet beautiful interiors, a home with character that quietly celebrates the details. For example, where uniformity might have prevailed, over 1000 handmade pegs were used in the construction of the timber frame. The building consists of three interlinked structures enclosed by a flint wall. The house takes inspiration from the local vernacular, with flint, black timber, clay tiles and roof pitches referencing the historic buildings in the area. The structure was manufactured offsite using highly insulated preassembled panels sourced from sustainably managed forests. Once assembled onsite, walls were finished with natural clay plaster for a calming indoor living environment. Timber is a constant presence throughout the house. At the heart of the building is a green oak timber-framed barn that creates a warm and inviting hub that seamlessly connects the living, kitchen and ancillary spaces. Daylight filters through the intricate timber framework, softly illuminating the clay plaster walls. Along the south-facing wall floor-to-ceiling glass panels provide sweeping views of the landscape and open on to the terrace. A second barn-like volume staggered half a level below the main living area is home to additional living space, a study, gym and the bedrooms. The house was designed to be entirely off-grid for short periods if required, with the inclusion of Tesla powerpack batteries. Alongside underfloor heating throughout, a mechanical heat recovery system, LED lighting and home automation, the house is highly insulated, is zero VOC and plastic use was minimised on the project. Outside, a rainwater harvesting system irrigates the garden and fields and woodland below the house have been rewilded.

LONE PEAK

I C O N INTERIORS + RANCH + BUILD

Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, beige floor and wood walls.

Canadacraig Enterprise Ltd

ZAC and ZAC - Photography

Ⓒ ZAC+ZAC
This is an example of a traditional formal enclosed living room in Other with brown walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, beige floor, panelled walls and wood walls.

Uphill House

Coates Design Architecture + Interiors

Uphill House interior
Inspiration for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Seattle with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, no tv, wood and wood walls.

Hill Top House

テレデザイン一級建築士事務所

Mid-sized asian open concept family room in Tokyo with white walls, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, no tv, grey floor, wood and wood walls.

Hill Top House

テレデザイン一級建築士事務所

Design ideas for a mid-sized asian open concept living room in Tokyo with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor, wood and wood walls.

Living Design Ideas with Wood 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.