Design ideas for a large transitional formal open concept living room in Toronto with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and panelled walls.

Fort Woth Magazine Dream Street 2023- "The English"

Heritage Design Studio

Photo of an expansive traditional open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Townhouse Renovation in Dundalk

Hestia

The brief for this project involved a full house renovation, and extension to reconfigure the ground floor layout. To maximise the untapped potential and make the most out of the existing space for a busy family home. When we spoke with the homeowner about their project, it was clear that for them, this wasn’t just about a renovation or extension. It was about creating a home that really worked for them and their lifestyle. We built in plenty of storage, a large dining area so they could entertain family and friends easily. And instead of treating each space as a box with no connections between them, we designed a space to create a seamless flow throughout. A complete refurbishment and interior design project, for this bold and brave colourful client. The kitchen was designed and all finishes were specified to create a warm modern take on a classic kitchen. Layered lighting was used in all the rooms to create a moody atmosphere. We designed fitted seating in the dining area and bespoke joinery to complete the look. We created a light filled dining space extension full of personality, with black glazing to connect to the garden and outdoor living.

Wyecliff Remodel

Vesta Design Studio, LLC

Inspiration for a large country open concept living room in Denver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

Renovated Brooklyn Brownstone

Brooklinteriors

Photo of a transitional living room in Austin with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, beige floor and panelled walls.

Moody Blues

Laura Lee Home

Previously used as an office, this space had an awkwardly placed window to the left of the fireplace. By removing the window and building a bookcase to match the existing, the room feels balanced and symmetrical. Panel molding was added (by the homeowner!) and the walls were lacquered a deep navy. Bold modern green lounge chairs and a trio of crystal pendants make this cozy lounge next level. A console with upholstered ottomans keeps cocktails at the ready while adding two additional seats.

Music Room, Bespoke Bookshelves

Studio Percale

Widened opening into traditional middle room of a Victorian home, bespoke stained glass doors were made by local artisans, installed new fire surround, hearth & wood burner. Bespoke bookcases and mini bar were created to bring function to the once unused space. The taller wall cabinets feature bespoke brass mesh inlay which house the owners high specification stereo equipment with extensive music collection stored below. New solid oak parquet flooring. Installed new traditional cornice and ceiling rose to finish the room. The room is awaiting a second armchair and side tables.

Elegance Redefined - Uplands, Victoria BC

Jessica Velikovsky Interios

Vaulted 24' great room with shiplap ceiling, brick two story fireplace and lots of room to entertain!
Photo of a transitional formal open concept living room in Vancouver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor, timber and panelled walls.

Color Blocking

Ann Lowengart Interiors

We juxtaposed bold colors and contemporary furnishings with the early twentieth-century interior architecture for this four-level Pacific Heights Edwardian. The home's showpiece is the living room, where the walls received a rich coat of blackened teal blue paint with a high gloss finish, while the high ceiling is painted off-white with violet undertones. Against this dramatic backdrop, we placed a streamlined sofa upholstered in an opulent navy velour and companioned it with a pair of modern lounge chairs covered in raspberry mohair. An artisanal wool and silk rug in indigo, wine, and smoke ties the space together.

Les soubassements

Staff Décor

Photo : © Julien Fernandez / Amandine et Jules – Hotel particulier a Angers par l’architecte Laurent Dray.
Mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in Angers with a library, blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, beige floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Living Room

Order & Grace

Photo of a large beach style open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, timber and panelled walls.

Updated Great Room

DANIELLE Interior Design & Decor

This built-in window seat creates not only extra seating in this small living room but adds a cozy spot to curl up and read a book. A niche spot in the home adding storage and fun!

Highgate

Black and Milk | Interior Design | London

See https://blackandmilk.co.uk/interior-design-portfolio/ for more details.

Banister Court Renovation

BGI Design

Design ideas for a large transitional open concept living room in Dallas with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

Luxurious Hamptons Home

Cordony Group

Large beach style formal open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Fort Woth Magazine Dream Street 2023- "The English"

Heritage Design Studio

Inspiration for an expansive traditional open concept living room in Dallas with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Surf's Up

Blythe Interiors

Inspiration for a large beach style living room in San Diego with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and panelled walls.

Lauren Kay Sims Lakehouse - Mantle

Urbanology Designs

Be still my heart. This vintage art work in a gold frame, paired with a simple figure sketch, give this ornate, traditional mantle just the right touch. Fresh greenery drapes over the edge, and pops out from the wood panel wall.

South Kensington Project

Rose Narmani Interiors

A historic London townhouse, redesigned by Rose Narmani Interiors.
Large transitional living room in London with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, beige floor and panelled walls.

Appartement haussmannien Paris 10

10surdix

This is an example of a contemporary formal enclosed living room in Paris with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Living Room Design Photos with a Standard Fireplace and Panelled 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.