Livigin Room
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Austin with a library, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in media wall, brown floor and vaulted.

2020 Fall Remodelers Showcase: Long Lake/Orono Midcentury Modern

Boyer Building Corporation

Mid century modern living room with open spaces, transom windows and waterfall, peninsula fireplace on far right;
Expansive midcentury open concept living room in Minneapolis with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

3 Barn Farm

Elizabeth Drake of Drake Interiors Limited

This is an example of a country open concept living room in Other with a library, beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, vaulted and wallpaper.

Custom Transitional Living Room in Waukegan

Fraerman Associates Architecture

Bruce Van Inwegen
Design ideas for a large transitional enclosed living room in Chicago with a library, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Boutique Custom Townhome

Urban Roots Build Co.

Modern open concept living room in Vancouver with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, a metal fireplace surround, beige floor, vaulted and wood walls.

Upscale cozy country home

Black Rock Design | Build

Transitional open concept living room in Other with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a built-in media wall, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Parisian Style Airbnb

TKS Design Group

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This unit, located in a 4-flat owned by TKS Owners Jeff and Susan Klimala, was remodeled as their personal pied-à-terre, and doubles as an Airbnb property when they are not using it. Jeff and Susan were drawn to the location of the building, a vibrant Chicago neighborhood, 4 blocks from Wrigley Field, as well as to the vintage charm of the 1890’s building. The entire 2 bed, 2 bath unit was renovated and furnished, including the kitchen, with a specific Parisian vibe in mind. Although the location and vintage charm were all there, the building was not in ideal shape -- the mechanicals -- from HVAC, to electrical, plumbing, to needed structural updates, peeling plaster, out of level floors, the list was long. Susan and Jeff drew on their expertise to update the issues behind the walls while also preserving much of the original charm that attracted them to the building in the first place -- heart pine floors, vintage mouldings, pocket doors and transoms. Because this unit was going to be primarily used as an Airbnb, the Klimalas wanted to make it beautiful, maintain the character of the building, while also specifying materials that would last and wouldn’t break the budget. Susan enjoyed the hunt of specifying these items and still coming up with a cohesive creative space that feels a bit French in flavor. Parisian style décor is all about casual elegance and an eclectic mix of old and new. Susan had fun sourcing some more personal pieces of artwork for the space, creating a dramatic black, white and moody green color scheme for the kitchen and highlighting the living room with pieces to showcase the vintage fireplace and pocket doors. Photographer: @MargaretRajic Photo stylist: @Brandidevers Do you have a new home that has great bones but just doesn’t feel comfortable and you can’t quite figure out why? Contact us here to see how we can help!

1950's House Refurb

Born Designers Ltd

Living room reading nook with open shelving and arm chair
Photo of a large midcentury living room in Sussex with a library, white walls, dark hardwood floors and vaulted.

Mid century modern meets Transitional design in La Canada Flintridge

Metropolis Drafting and Construction Inc

Mid century inspired design living room with a built-in cabinet system made out of Walnut wood. Custom made to fit all the low-fi electronics and exact fit for speakers.

Berkeley Lake Renovation

TVL Creative Ltd.

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Bridge House

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Vaulted living room with wood ceiling looks toward dining and bedroom hall - Bridge House - Fenneville, Michigan - Lake Michigan - HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles, Christopher Short, Indianapolis Architect, Marika Designs, Marika Klemm, Interior Designer - Tom Rigney, TR Builders

Sleek & Inspiring

South Bay Design Center

Living Room features Walnut floating shelves, Herman Miller Lounge chair.
Contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with a library, white walls, carpet, beige floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

Sandown Rd

Aesir Construction Limited

Photo of a large scandinavian open concept living room in Kent with a library, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround, a concealed tv, vaulted and wood walls.

Stunning Mid-Century Remodel

Brad Cox, Architect, Inc.

The L-shaped sofa offers tv watching from one side, backyard watching from the other. The rear corner has shelves built to allow a cat to climb and perch. The Mondrian cabinet adds a warm vertical element to a largely white room. Plants do well with all of the natural light provided by windows, doors and skylights.

VILLA DEBORA INTERNI

JFD - Juri Favilli Design

This is an example of an expansive country open concept living room in Milan with a library, a two-sided fireplace, exposed beam, vaulted, panelled walls, grey walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Restauro Complesso ViaNuova

Arch. Alessandra Cipriani

Soggiorno con salotto e pranzo
Expansive country open concept living room in Florence with a library, beige walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, orange floor, vaulted and brick walls.

Sottotetto total white - 100mq

Alessandra Parolini

prospettiva della zona relax
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Other with a library, laminate floors, brown floor, grey walls, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

WINCHMORE HILL

HAS Studio

Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in London with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv, beige floor and vaulted.

North London Terraced House

Patience Designs Studio Ltd

The ground floor was also fully remodelled, removing any internal walls and creating a huge open plan space linking with the basement level below. Bespoke furniture, traditional staircase and eclectic furniture were all used to the keep a cozy feeling in what is a very modern design.

Westlake Estate

Olson Defendorf Custom Homes

Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Austin with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Living Room Design Photos with a Library and Vaulted

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.