This Marin County project was constructed on a fast-track schedule. Design decisions and construction had to occur jointly in order to maintain aggressive critical-path deadlines. In order to ensure milestones were met, subcontractors, deliveries, and inspections were closely managed with clear communications between architect, designer, owner, and contractor.

1041 EL

Weaver Custom Homes

Design ideas for a contemporary open concept living room in Columbus with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and exposed beam.

Seawatch Idea House Living Room Fireplace

COASTROAD Hearth & Patio

We installed this pre-cast masonry fireplace, Stone Garden installed the natural-cleft stone surround and Ocean Woodworking built the oak wall panel, which hides the television. The interior design and furnishings were provided by Philip Sides.

Family Room

Dresser Homes

Design ideas for a traditional living room in Atlanta with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Kitchen

Paul Moon Design

This is an example of a large traditional open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and dark hardwood floors.

Tiburon home remodel

Mahoney Architects & Interiors

A modest and traditional living room
Photo of a small beach style formal open concept living room in San Francisco with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

Flatiron New York

Tannehill Interiors

Design ideas for a transitional living room in New York with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

P House

G Method Limited

Elegant living room with fireplace and chic lighting solutions. Wooden furniture and indoor plants creating a natural atmosphere. Bay windows looking into the back garden, letting in natural light, presenting a well-lit formal living room.

The Camberwell House

Fraher & Findlay Architects Ltd

Photo of a transitional enclosed living room in London with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Crescent Heights

Meridith Baer Home

Photography by LA Light Photo
Design ideas for a contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls and a standard fireplace.

Jasper Home by Greenstone

The Tin Roof-Interior Design & Fine Furniture

Inspiration for a transitional living room in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Quail Ridge

CRC Builders Inc.

This is an example of a large country open concept living room in San Francisco with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, grey floor and exposed beam.

The Listed House

Simpson & Voyle

This image features the main reception room, designed to exude a sense of formal elegance while providing a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The room’s interior design is a testament to the intent of the company to blend classic elements with contemporary style. At the heart of the room is a traditional black marble fireplace, which anchors the space and adds a sense of grandeur. Flanking the fireplace are built-in shelving units painted in a soft grey, displaying a curated selection of decorative items and books that add a personal touch to the room. The shelves are also efficiently utilized with a discreetly integrated television, ensuring that functionality accompanies the room's aesthetics. Above, a dramatic modern chandelier with cascading white elements draws the eye upward to the detailed crown molding, highlighting the room’s high ceilings and the architectural beauty of the space. Luxurious white sofas offer ample seating, their clean lines and plush cushions inviting guests to relax. Accent armchairs with a bold geometric pattern introduce a dynamic contrast to the room, while a marble coffee table centers the seating area with its organic shape and material. The soft neutral color palette is enriched with textured throw pillows, and a large area rug in a light hue defines the seating area and adds a layer of warmth over the herringbone wood flooring. Draped curtains frame the window, softening the natural light that enhances the room’s airy feel. This reception room reflects the company’s design philosophy of creating spaces that are timeless and refined, yet functional and welcoming, showcasing a commitment to craftsmanship, detail, and harmonious design.

Orinda Living Room

Lauren Nelson Design

This is an example of a transitional living room in San Francisco with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and beige floor.

Cozy Family Sanctuary

An Inspiring Home

Photo by Krista Cox Studio
Inspiration for a transitional living room in Charlotte with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

Parsons Green

Samantha Watkins McRae

Mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, beige floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Mount Baker Historic Craftsman

Board & Vellum

Photography by Miranda Estes
Design ideas for a mid-sized arts and crafts enclosed living room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

California Style Mid Century Modern

JuniperOats Studio

A reimagined empty and dark corner, adding 3 windows and a large corner window seat that connects with the harp of the renovated brick fireplace, while adding ample of storage and an opportunity to gather with friends and family. We also added a small partition that functions as a small bar area serving the dining space.

The Coach House

McLean Quinlan

Designed in 1805 by renowned architect Sir John Nash, this Grade II listed former coach house in the Devon countryside, sits on a south-facing hill, with uninterrupted views to the River Dart. Though retaining its classical appeal and proportions, the house had previously been poorly converted and needed significant repair and internal reworking to transform it into a modern and practical family home. The brief – and the challenge – was to achieve this while retaining the essence of Nash’s original design. We had previously worked with our clients and so we had a good understanding of their needs and requirements. Together, we assessed the features that had first attracted them to the property and advised on which elements would need to be altered or rebuilt. Preserving and repairing where appropriate, interior spaces were reconfigured and traditional details reinterpreted. Nash’s original building was based on Palladian principals, and we emphasised this further by creating axial views through the building from one side to the other and beyond to the garden. The work was undertaken in three phases, beginning with the conversion and restoration of the existing building. This was followed by the addition of two unashamedly contemporary elements: to the west, a glazed light-filled living space with views across the garden and, echoing the symmetry of Nash’s original design, an open pergola and pool to the east. The main staircase was repositioned and redesigned to improve flow and to sit more comfortable with the building’s muted classical aesthetic. Similarly, new panelled and arched door and window linings were designed to accord with the original arched openings of the coach house. Photographing the property again, twenty years after our conversion, it was interesting to see how once-new additions and changes have long settled into the character of the house. Outside, the stone walls and hard landscaping we added, are softened by time and nature with mosses and ferns. Inside, hardwearing limestone floors and the crafted joinery elements, particularly the staircase, are improving with the patina of wear and time.

Real Estate Q4 2023

TNHometour.com

Photo of a transitional open concept living room in Nashville with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

Living Room Design Photos with a Standard 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.