Relaxed and light filled family living and dining room with leafy bay-side views.
This is an example of a large contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove and a metal fireplace surround.

Dural

Distinct Innovations Pty Ltd

We were commissioned to create a contemporary single-storey dwelling with four bedrooms, three main living spaces, gym and enough car spaces for up to 8 vehicles/workshop. Due to the slope of the land the 8 vehicle garage/workshop was placed in a basement level which also contained a bathroom and internal lift shaft for transporting groceries and luggage. The owners had a lovely northerly aspect to the front of home and their preference was to have warm bedrooms in winter and cooler living spaces in summer. So the bedrooms were placed at the front of the house being true north and the livings areas in the southern space. All living spaces have east and west glazing to achieve some sun in winter. Being on a 3 acre parcel of land and being surrounded by acreage properties, the rear of the home had magical vista views especially to the east and across the pastured fields and it was imperative to take in these wonderful views and outlook. We were very fortunate the owners provided complete freedom in the design, including the exterior finish. We had previously worked with the owners on their first home in Dural which gave them complete trust in our design ability to take this home. They also hired the services of a interior designer to complete the internal spaces selection of lighting and furniture. The owners were truly a pleasure to design for, they knew exactly what they wanted and made my design process very smooth. Hornsby Council approved the application within 8 weeks with no neighbor objections. The project manager was as passionate about the outcome as I was and made the building process uncomplicated and headache free.

Weather House

Mihaly Slocombe

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.

Kew Sale

Top Snap South East Melbourne

Inspiration for a transitional living room in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Heatilator Design Gallery

Perfection Supply

Photo of a mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in Houston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Napoleon Fireplaces

Hearth and Home Design Center - Portage

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Grand Rapids with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Rustic Living Room

Inspiration for a large country open concept living room in Other with a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, concrete floors, grey floor and beige walls.

Main Floor Redesign

J B Interior Design

Design ideas for a transitional living room in Seattle with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Hygge

Birdseye Design

Large scandinavian open concept living room in Burlington with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Hogar de Marta

Leticia Yagüez Estudio

Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Madrid with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Napoleon Fireplace Design Gallery

Wyckoff Heating Cooling

Inspiration for a large beach style formal open concept living room in Other with a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv, beige walls and grey floor.

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.

Reforma s'Agaró

somnis estudi - Interiorismo y Reformas

Mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Квартира как люкс в отеле

Kutenkovs project

Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Novosibirsk with grey walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Oh So Spanish House

Courtney Thomas Design

Our La Cañada studio juxtaposed the historic architecture of this home with contemporary, Spanish-style interiors. It features a contrasting palette of warm and cool colors, printed tilework, spacious layouts, high ceilings, metal accents, and lots of space to bond with family and entertain friends. --- Project designed by Courtney Thomas Design in La Cañada. Serving Pasadena, Glendale, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Altadena. For more about Courtney Thomas Design, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/portfolio/contemporary-spanish-style-interiors-la-canada/

Modern Farmhouse Living Room

Lifestyle by Stadler Custom Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Nuovo look al soggiorno - Progetto in corso

Liadesign

Liadesign
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Milan with a library, multi-coloured walls, terra-cotta floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and pink floor.

Windswept Beach Home

Asher Slaunwhite + Partners

Large living room with vaulted ceiling, modern fireplace and built in television.
Large beach style open concept living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and vaulted.

Modern Wohnbereich

Inspiration for a large contemporary formal living room in Munich with grey walls, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Coffee Pot Contemporary Home

LaBram Homes, Inc.

Inspiration for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Tampa with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Living Room Design Photos with a Metal Fireplace Surround

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.