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

WA, Giorgi

Housing Industry Association - HIA

Faultless is how the judges described this beautiful home. Masterfully constructed with a layout designed to maximise the northern light and shield the outdoor areas from the weather. This home radiated class and elegance with excellent ambience and aesthetic throughout.

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.

Bells Interior Styling

Kennedy and Co Interiors

Inspiration for a mediterranean living room in Geelong with white walls, beige floor and exposed beam.

Fabrica

Mcmahon and Nerlich

The soaring ceiling height of the living areas of this warehouse-inspired house
Design ideas for a mid-sized industrial open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, beige floor, exposed beam and wood.

Modern Fun House, Danville, CA

Lauren Evans Interiors, LLC

Photo of a transitional open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Living

O'Meara Jones

Inspiration for a large beach style open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Spacious Modern Ranch

A la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

Country open concept living room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

Cozy Family Sanctuary

An Inspiring Home

Photo by Krista Cox Studio
Inspiration for a transitional living room in Charlotte with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

Réhabilitation complète d'une maison de maitre près d'Apt

Inspirations d'Intérieurs • Agence & Boutique •

This is an example of a large mediterranean open concept living room in Marseille with white walls, travertine floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Wayne Littlejohn Remodel

User

This is an example of a midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace, grey floor, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Tip-Top Tudor: Living Room

Tamara Day Design

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in Kansas City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

Breathtaking Bainbridge Island Estate

Caleb Melvin Photography

Design ideas for a beach style living room in Seattle with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted, wood and planked wall panelling.

Terrell Hills Mid Century Modern Project

Haven Design and Construction

The cantilevered living room of this incredible mid century modern home still features the original wood wall paneling and brick floors. We were so fortunate to have these amazing original features to work with. Our design team brought in a new modern light fixture, MCM furnishings, lamps and accessories. We utilized the client's existing rug and pulled our room's inspiration colors from it. Bright citron yellow accents add a punch of color to the room. The surrounding built-in bookcases are also original to the room.

East Cobb Modern Makeover Kitchen Sunroom and Living Room

Atlanta Curb Appeal

Sunroom in East Cobb Modern Home. Interior design credit: Design & Curations Photo by Elizabeth Lauren Granger Photography
Mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Atlanta with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, beige floor and exposed beam.

Interior 1709

Alyssa Collins Design

Design ideas for a large traditional open concept living room in Oklahoma City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Great Hills Remodel

Kelley Design Group

Beautiful open living room with ceiling beams and fireplace.
Transitional open concept living room in Austin with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and exposed beam.

Wabi Sabi Refuge

Astratto Design

Embarking on the design journey of Wabi Sabi Refuge, I immersed myself in the profound quest for tranquility and harmony. This project became a testament to the pursuit of a tranquil haven that stirs a deep sense of calm within. Guided by the essence of wabi-sabi, my intention was to curate Wabi Sabi Refuge as a sacred space that nurtures an ethereal atmosphere, summoning a sincere connection with the surrounding world. Deliberate choices of muted hues and minimalist elements foster an environment of uncluttered serenity, encouraging introspection and contemplation. Embracing the innate imperfections and distinctive qualities of the carefully selected materials and objects added an exquisite touch of organic allure, instilling an authentic reverence for the beauty inherent in nature's creations. Wabi Sabi Refuge serves as a sanctuary, an evocative invitation for visitors to embrace the sublime simplicity, find solace in the imperfect, and uncover the profound and tranquil beauty that wabi-sabi unveils.

Timberframe

Lange Custom Builders, Inc.

Design ideas for a large country open concept living room in Other with a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and exposed beam.

MIDTOWN REMODEL

HUNTINGTON ID

Family room we remodeled with a velvet blue sofa and gallery wall.
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

Living Room Design Photos with Exposed Beam

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.