Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.

TV hidden behind a pocket panelled slider

Broswick Builders Ltd

Living room cabinetry feat. fireplace, stone surround and concealed TV. A clever pocket slider hides the TV in the featured wooden paneled wall.
Mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in Auckland with black walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a concealed tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Projet Saint-Mandé

Karen Tinka Design Intérieur

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Paris with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a concealed tv, brown floor and wallpaper.

Fireplaces and Ideas

Buildwell Construction LLC

Removed Existing Wood Fireplace and Built in TV Console Frame For new Fireplace and TV
Inspiration for a large open concept living room in Tampa with travertine floors, a hanging fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv, beige floor and wood walls.

Modern Northwoods Residence Great Room & Dining

Amy Carman Design

A view from the living room into the dining, kitchen, and loft areas of the main living space. Windows and walk-outs on both levels allow views and ease of access to the lake at all times.

Californian Mid-Century House

Oneshot Design

This is an example of a large midcentury formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a concealed tv, exposed beam and panelled walls.

For the Love of MCM

Sklar Studios

Everywhere you look in this home, there is a surprise to be had and a detail worth preserving. One of the more iconic interior features was this original copper fireplace shroud that was beautifully restored back to it's shiny glory. The sofa was custom made to fit "just so" into the drop down space/ bench wall separating the family room from the dining space. Not wanting to distract from the design of the space by hanging a TV on the wall - there is a concealed projector and screen that drop down from the ceiling when desired. Flooded with natural light from both directions from the original sliding glass doors - this home glows day and night - by sun or by fire. From this view you can see the relationship of the kitchen which was originally in this location, but previously closed off with walls. It's compact and efficient, and allows seamless interaction between hosts and guests.

Créer une chambre dans un petit appartement

Fables de Murs

le canapé est légèrement décollé du mur pour laisser les portes coulissantes circuler derrière.
Small modern open concept living room in Other with red walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a concealed tv, beige floor, recessed and decorative wall panelling.

Mapleton

Harper & Company, Inc.

Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a concealed tv, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Lauren Kay Sims Lakehouse - Living Room

Urbanology Designs

Traditional modern living room, with a wall of windows looking out on a lake. A wood panel wall with an ornate fireplace, fresh greenery, and modern furnishings. An expansive, deep, cozy sectional makes for ultimate relaxation. Uber long wood bench for additional seating.

Angelo Residence

Torrence Architects

Design ideas for a large modern open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concealed tv, beige floor and wood walls.

Stylish Manor - Library/Lounge

H. Ryan Studio

Heather Ryan, Interior Designer H.Ryan Studio - Scottsdale, AZ www.hryanstudio.com
Inspiration for an expansive traditional open concept living room in Phoenix with a library, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, beige floor, beige walls, a concealed tv and wood walls.

Bucktown timber loft

Brett Bulthuis Photography

open living room and discotheque
Mid-sized industrial open concept living room in Chicago with a music area, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concealed tv, exposed beam and brick walls.

Appartement G

Philippe Harden

Inspiration for a transitional open concept living room in Paris with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concealed tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

Luxury snug/Lounge Mersea Island Essex

Ann Cope Interior Design

The luxurious lounge comes snug for martinis and watching films. In succulent Green and gold. Needed to house the beautiful Edwardian Doll's house and have a space for entertainment.

Miami Beach Modern Organic Penthouse

Studio Kestrel

A clean modern home with rich texture and organic curves. Layers of light natural shades and soft, inviting fabrics create warm and inviting moments around every corner.

Totteridge Manor House

Emilie Fournet Interiors

A dark living room was transformed into a cosy and inviting relaxing living room. The wooden panels were painted with the client's favourite colour and display their favourite pieces of art. The colour was inspired by the original Delft blue tiles of the fireplace.

Dramatic living space with panelled wall

Broswick Builders Ltd

Lauren Kay Sims Lakehouse - Fireplace Views

Urbanology Designs

This expansive wood panel wall with a gorgeous cast stone traditional fireplace provide a stunning setting for family gatherings. Vintage pieces on both the mantle and the coffee table, tumbleweed, and fresh greenery give this space dimension and character. Chandelier is designer, and adds a modern vibe.

Skandinavischer Traum aus Holz

Studio Klinker & Klunker GmbH

Das Wohnzimmer ist in warmen Gewürztönen und die Bilderwand in Petersburger Hängung „versteckt“ den TV, ebenfalls holzgerahmt. Die weisse Paneelwand verbindet beide Bereiche. Die bodentiefen Fenster zur Terrasse durchfluten beide Bereiche mit Licht und geben den Blick auf den Garten frei. Der Boden ist mit einem warmen Eichenparkett verlegt.

All Wall Treatments Living Room Design Photos with a Concealed TV

A living room, often referred to as a lounge room in Australia and New Zealand, is the hub of the home. If you only have one living room in the house, it’s likely to serve multiple purposes: be it a place to watch TV, play games, spend quality time with family or hang out with friends. If you have the luxury of two living areas, one is usually a formal living room or lounge room, reserved for reading, relaxing and entertaining. A successful living room design is inviting, has enough seating for the whole clan – a comfortable couch is a must – and encourages conversation. Browse photos on Houzz for living room layouts, furniture and decor, and strike up a conversation with the interior designers or architects of your favourite picks. For even more living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which living room layouts will work best for you?

Every living area will have design challenges. A long, narrow lounge room, for example, risks looking like a hallway if furniture is lined up against the walls. Instead, opt for small furniture items, like a cosy two-seater couch, and create various focal points throughout the space. In square living rooms, a symmetrical layout encourages a formal setting. Place seating on either side of the room, with a focal point in the middle to pull the room together. For a truly intimate vibe, replace your couch with some occasional chairs positioned around a coffee table or ottoman. This will make the main focus conversation. An open-plan home – one where the lines are blurred between kitchen, dining and living – may require a layout that focuses on definition. You’ll want to make sure furniture doesn’t block the flow between spaces, and instead use something like an area rug to create zones.

How can you decorate your living room?

The living room can be a place in which to show off your personality, but if you want a timeless living room scheme, stick to neutral walls, couches and ottomans. Colour can be added through accessories, and is a lot more interchangeable! Rugs, cushions and throws are great for adding colour, while mirrors, lamps and ceiling lights will set the mood. Make your living room unique by including family heirlooms and photos. For a polished look, try creating a coffee table vignette – you could use books as pedestals or group items together on a tray. Try adding a vase, a mixture of round and rectangular objects and some books.

What are some small living room ideas?

Small living room designs can be tricky to work with, but aren’t doomed to fail. Often, you just have to get creative with furniture. An open-back chaise can create a sense of spaciousness, while small side tables paired together can substitute a coffee table. Even better, an ottoman can be used as a footrest, coffee table or extra seating. Big furniture items like the couch are best kept in light colours, and if there’s room for a coffee table, a glass-top one is best. If you have two spaces in one – perhaps your living room sits in front of a single-wall kitchen – make sure they are connected by decor, colour and style. For definition, just add area rugs, or use your couch as a dividing wall. It’s worth having a few furniture pieces, whether a bookshelf, couch or entertainment unit, in the same colour as the walls, too, so they blend into the room and visually expand the space.

Is open-plan living for you?

Today’s homes often embrace open-plan living, whereby the living room runs off the kitchen and/or dining areas. Open-plan living allows greater functionality, but can risk creating a vast, soulless space if not done right. To avoid a cavernous feel in an open-plan design, define areas with furniture, rugs and lighting, or consider using a wall divider. Also be sure to keep flooring, lighting and materials consistent throughout, for cohesiveness. Noise may be an issue – someone banging pots and pans while you’re watching TV, for example – so include lots of soft furnishings, such as rugs, curtains and couches to help absorb the noise. You will also need to factor in plenty of storage, so mess is kept at bay.