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.

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.

Madison's View

Centre Sky Architecture Ltd

Photos by Whitney Kamman
Design ideas for a large country formal open concept living room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor and a wall-mounted tv.

Lakeville House

Demetriades + Walker

Peter Peirce
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Bridgeport with a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, white walls and medium hardwood floors.

Buchanan River House

Searl Lamaster Howe Architects

Hand rubbed blackened steel frames the fiireplace and a recessed niche for extra wood. A reclaimed beam serves as the mantle. the lower ceilinged area to the right is a more intimate secondary seating area.

Down to Earth

Everything Home

Our studio designed this beautiful home for a family of four to create a cohesive space for spending quality time. The home has an open-concept floor plan to allow free movement and aid conversations across zones. The living area is casual and comfortable and has a farmhouse feel with the stunning stone-clad fireplace and soft gray and beige furnishings. We also ensured plenty of seating for the whole family to gather around. In the kitchen area, we used charcoal gray for the island, which complements the beautiful white countertops and the stylish black chairs. We added herringbone-style backsplash tiles to create a charming design element in the kitchen. Open shelving and warm wooden flooring add to the farmhouse-style appeal. The adjacent dining area is designed to look casual, elegant, and sophisticated, with a sleek wooden dining table and attractive chairs. The powder room is painted in a beautiful shade of sage green. Elegant black fixtures, a black vanity, and a stylish marble countertop washbasin add a casual, sophisticated, and welcoming appeal. --- Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/down-to-earth/

Santa Fe

Design Directives, LLC

Our Scottsdale interior design studio created this luxurious Santa Fe new build for a retired couple with sophisticated tastes. We centered the furnishings and fabrics around their contemporary Southwestern art collection, choosing complementary colors. The house includes a large patio with a fireplace, a beautiful great room with a home bar, a lively family room, and a bright home office with plenty of cabinets. All of the spaces reflect elegance, comfort, and thoughtful planning. --- Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/

Casa de inspiración nórdica

Canexel Construcciones

Salón de estilo nórdico, luminoso y acogedor con gran contraste entre tonos blancos y negros.
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Barcelona with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, white floor and vaulted.

Rollingwood New Build

BANDD DESIGN

Our Austin studio gave this new build home a serene feel with earthy materials, cool blues, pops of color, and textural elements. --- Project designed by Sara Barney’s Austin interior design studio BANDD DESIGN. They serve the entire Austin area and its surrounding towns, with an emphasis on Round Rock, Lake Travis, West Lake Hills, and Tarrytown. For more about BANDD DESIGN, click here: https://bandddesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://bandddesign.com/natural-modern-new-build-austin-home/

Town Mountain Modern

Allard + Roberts Interior Design, Inc

The great room plan features walls of glass to enjoy the mountain views beyond from the living, dining or kitchen spaces. The cabinetry is a combination of white paint and stained oak, while natural fir beams add warmth at the ceiling. Hubbardton forge pendant lights a warm glow over the custom furnishings.

Split Box

SALA Architects

The clients for this project approached SALA ‘to create a house that we will be excited to come home to’. Having lived in their house for over 20 years, they chose to stay connected to their neighborhood, and accomplish their goals by extensively remodeling their existing split-entry home.

Johnson Home

Buffalo Mountain Metals

Amy Marie Imagery LLC
Photo of a mid-sized industrial living room in Denver with a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Brookline First Floor Remodel

New England Design & Construction

This Brookline remodel took a very compartmentalized floor plan with hallway, separate living room, dining room, kitchen, and 3-season porch, and transformed it into one open living space with cathedral ceilings and lots of light. photos: Abby Woodman

THE RETREAT, BARNES. ROOF & SIDE INFILL EXTENSIONS

Paul Dean

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in London with a library, grey walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding tv and brown floor.

Custom Living Room in Nantucket

J. Graham Goldsmith Architects

Susan Teare
Design ideas for a large beach style open concept living room in Boston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, a metal fireplace surround, vaulted and wood walls.

Beaver Dam Residence

Berglund Architects

LIV Sotheby's International Realty
Large country open concept living room in Denver with a home bar, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor and beige walls.

Residential Interiors

Emma Wood Photos

Emma Wood
This is an example of a large eclectic formal open concept living room in Sussex with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, black floor and white walls.

Heat & Glo Design Gallery

La Crosse Fireplace Co

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and white floor.

North Road

Cynthia Hayes Interior Design

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style formal loft-style living room in Providence with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

IRISH COUNTRY HOUSE

Fiona Campbell Design

Mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in London with a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a library, green walls and carpet.

Living Room Design Photos with a Standard Fireplace and 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.