Transitional open concept living room in Los Angeles with a music area, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and brown floor.

Traditional Remodel and Basement Finish

Falcone Hybner Design, Inc.

Interior Design by Michele Hybner. Remodel and Basement Finish by Malibu Homes. Photo by Amoura Productions.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in Omaha with a music area, blue walls, carpet, a ribbon fireplace, no tv and beige floor.

Rollingwood Residence

Chioco Design

Casey Dunn- Dunn Photography
Photo of a contemporary living room in Austin with a music area and a ribbon fireplace.

1970's Ranch Home Renovation

Stratos Form

Photography by Aidin Mariscal
Mid-sized modern open concept living room in Orange County with a music area, white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Berkeley Hall Renovation

H2 Builders

Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Charleston with a music area, blue walls, travertine floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Toorak House

Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors

RMA took a site with a derelict duplex in Melbourne's Toorak and turned it into an impressive family home that is at the same time functional, sleek and contained.

Elegant Traditional Kitchen in Greenwich

Nukitchens

We designed this kitchen using Plain & Fancy custom cabinetry with natural walnut and white pain finishes. The extra large island includes the sink and marble countertops. The matching marble backsplash features hidden spice shelves behind a mobile layer of solid marble. The cabinet style and molding details were selected to feel true to a traditional home in Greenwich, CT. In the adjacent living room, the built-in white cabinetry showcases matching walnut backs to tie in with the kitchen. The pantry encompasses space for a bar and small desk area. The light blue laundry room has a magnetized hanger for hang-drying clothes and a folding station. Downstairs, the bar kitchen is designed in blue Ultracraft cabinetry and creates a space for drinks and entertaining by the pool table. This was a full-house project that touched on all aspects of the ways the homeowners live in the space.

Modern Living Room

Photo of a large modern open concept living room in San Francisco with a music area, grey walls, ceramic floors, a ribbon fireplace and grey floor.

Carlsbad Hacienda Chic

Astleford Interiors, Inc.

Inspiration for an eclectic living room in San Diego with a music area, white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Extravagant Uptown Modern Condo

Artistic Contractors

Inspiration for a large modern open concept living room in Charlotte with a music area, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

Collector Chic - Palm Springs

Design Vision Studio

James Latta of Rancho Images - MOVIE COLONY When we met these wonderful Palm Springs clients, they were overwhelmed with the task of downsizing their vast collection of fine art, antiques, and sculptures. The problem was it was an amazing collection so the task was not easy. What do we keep? What do we let go? Design Vision Studio to the rescue! We realized that to really showcase these beautiful pieces, we needed to pick and choose the right ones and ensure they were showcased properly. Lighting was improved throughout the home. We installed and updated recessed lights and cabinet lighting. Outdated ceiling fans and chandeliers were replaced. The walls were painted with a warm, soft ivory color and the moldings, door and windows also were given a complimentary fresh coat of paint. The overall impact was a clean bright room. We replaced the outdated oak front doors with modern glass doors. The fireplace received a facelift with new tile, a custom mantle and crushed glass to replace the old fake logs. Custom draperies frame the views. The dining room was brought to life with recycled magazine grass cloth wallpaper on the ceiling, new red leather upholstery on the chairs, and a custom red paint treatment on the new chandelier to tie it all together. (The chandelier was actually powder-coated at an auto paint shop!) Once crammed with too much, too little and no style, the Asian Modern Bedroom Suite is now a DREAM COME TRUE. We even incorporated their much loved (yet horribly out-of-date) small sofa by recovering it with teal velvet to give it new life. Underutilized hall coat closets were removed and transformed with custom cabinetry to create art niches. We also designed a custom built-in media cabinet with "breathing room" to display more of their treasures. The new furniture was intentionally selected with modern lines to give the rooms layers and texture. When we suggested a crystal ship chandelier to our clients, they wanted US to walk the plank. Luckily, after months of consideration, the tides turned and they gained the confidence to follow our suggestion. Now their powder room is one of their favorite spaces in their home. Our clients (and all of their friends) are amazed at the total transformation of this home and with how well it "fits" them. We love the results too. This home now tells a story through their beautiful life-long collections. The design may have a gallery look but the feeling is all comfort and style.

Parade of Homes 2016

Mike Becknal & Company, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional living room in Austin with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and a music area.

hillside 7

MAK Construction

Open space, wood floors, low E glass
Large contemporary open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and a music area.

Southpointe Residence

Black Cherry Design

Jason Snyder
Large modern loft-style living room in Other with a music area, white walls, carpet, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Mountain Modern

Faye Crowe Architect LLC

Jon Eady Photography
Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Denver with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in media wall, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a music area and brown floor.

Sofá

Fito Benade Interiorismo & Infografías

Vivienda contemporánea donde la luz lo invade todo. El blanco de paredes y techo hacen resaltar cualquier elemento de mobiliario o de decoración que se introduzca, generando un ambiente totalmente distinto con pocos cambios decorativos.

Warm Retro Duplex in Logan Square

Devon Grace Interiors

Photo Credit Dustin Halleck
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Chicago with a music area, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Modern Contemporary

The Phil Nichols Company

Michael Woodall
This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Phoenix with a music area, white walls and a ribbon fireplace.

GRIFFIN ENRIGHT ARCHITECTS: Mandeville Canyon Residence

Griffin Enright Architects

The living room is connected to the outdoors by telescoping doors that fold into deep pockets.
Mid-sized modern open concept living room in Los Angeles with a music area, no tv, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Seaside Living: Corona del Mar, California

Western Window Systems

When a soft contemporary style meets artistic-minded homeowners, the result is this exquisite dwelling in Corona del Mar from Brandon Architects and Patterson Custom Homes. Complete with curated paintings and an art studio, the 4,300-square-foot residence utilizes Western Window Systems’ Series 600 Multi-Slide doors and windows to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. In one instance, the retractable doors open to an outdoor courtyard. In another, they lead to a spa and views of the setting sun. Photos by Jeri Koegel.

Living Room Design Photos with a Music Area and a Ribbon Fireplace

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.