Mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Nashville with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, a music area and medium hardwood floors.

French Chateau

William T Baker

James Lockhart Photgraphy Tricia McLean Interiors
Expansive traditional open concept living room in Atlanta with a music area, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Woodbridge Modern Residence

iDesign Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary living room in Toronto with a music area, grey walls, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Westport Renovation-Turkey Hill House

Sellars Lathrop Architects, llc

Matthew Williams
Design ideas for a country open concept living room in New York with a music area, light hardwood floors, grey walls and no fireplace.

House in Highgate Cemetery

Eldridge London

Glass floors, exposed concrete and hanging fireplace. Photography: Lyndon Douglas
Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in London with a music area, no tv, grey walls and a hanging fireplace.

Transitional Living Room

Inspiration for a transitional living room in London with a music area, grey walls and light hardwood floors.

Elegant living room

MuseInteriors

Photography by John Bessler http://www.besslerphoto.com/john/

Sophisticated Elegance

Jan Hiltz Interiors LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in New York with grey walls, a music area, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Modern Transformation | Hinsdale, IL

Charles Vincent George Architects, Inc.

Residential Addition by Charles Vincent George Architects Interior Design by Aimee Wertepny Photographs by Tony Soluri
Photo of a contemporary open concept living room in Chicago with a music area, grey walls, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Wimbledon Townhouse

Kia Designs

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in London with a music area, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Westminster

Jackson & LeRoy

Joshua Caldwell Photography
Traditional living room in Salt Lake City with a music area, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Modern Townhome Transformation

Bobbi Alderfer/Lifestyle Design

Photo Credit: Ryan Ocasio
This is an example of a large contemporary open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and a music area.

Music Room - Rebekah Woodard Interiors

Marty Paoletta Photography

Music room; Photography by Marty Paoletta
Inspiration for a large traditional enclosed living room in Nashville with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, a music area, no fireplace and no tv.

Louisville Abode

Dragonfly Designs

Susie Brenner Photography
Photo of a mid-sized transitional living room in Denver with a music area, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

Arabesque Fireplace

Tami Smight Interiors

Deep gray and eggplant combine beautifully to create drama and elegance in the entry/living room. The fireplace was updated with ceramic arabesque tile and the wall sconces provide an added Moroccan touch.

Hasserton - Transitional Prairie Style Lakefront

Visbeen Architects

The Hasserton is a sleek take on the waterfront home. This multi-level design exudes modern chic as well as the comfort of a family cottage. The sprawling main floor footprint offers homeowners areas to lounge, a spacious kitchen, a formal dining room, access to outdoor living, and a luxurious master bedroom suite. The upper level features two additional bedrooms and a loft, while the lower level is the entertainment center of the home. A curved beverage bar sits adjacent to comfortable sitting areas. A guest bedroom and exercise facility are also located on this floor.

Talega Casual Rustic Remodel

maison blue design group

Inspiration for a large eclectic enclosed living room in Orange County with a music area, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and beige floor.

Eclectic Manor in the Park

Johnson + Fernàndez Interior Design

Design ideas for an expansive eclectic open concept living room in Orange County with a music area, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and vaulted.

appartement Haussmannien Marseillais

Caroline Sémac / WOW home-staging

Christophe Mastelli
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in Marseille with grey walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and a music area.

Columbus Square

Kennedy Cole Interior Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Orange County with a music area, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Living Room Design Photos with a Music Area and Grey Walls

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.