Built on the beautiful Nepean River in Penrith overlooking the Blue Mountains. Capturing the water and mountain views were imperative as well as achieving a design that catered for the hot summers and cold winters in Western Sydney. Before we could embark on design, pre-lodgement meetings were held with the head of planning to discuss all the environmental constraints surrounding the property. The biggest issue was potential flooding. Engineering flood reports were prepared prior to designing so we could design the correct floor levels to avoid the property from future flood waters. The design was created to capture as much of the winter sun as possible and blocking majority of the summer sun. This is an entertainer's home, with large easy flowing living spaces to provide the occupants with a certain casualness about the space but when you look in detail you will see the sophistication and quality finishes the owner was wanting to achieve.

Avant Garde Farmhouse - Axis H1600XXL

Sculpt Fireplace Collection

The Axis H1600XXL is Australia's largest inbuilt wood fireplace. Thanks to the team at Swell Building Group, this stunning unit was included in the design of Lo Laire, located in Merricks, Victoria! A stunning unit, bound to make a designer statement and keep you warm through those chilly Peninsula winters!

COASTAL FARMHOUSE

Claridge Construction

Large contemporary open concept living room in Adelaide with white walls, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and vaulted.

R Residence

archer design

Beautiful all day, stunning by dusk, this luxurious Point Piper renovation is a quintessential ‘Sydney experience’. An enclave of relaxed understated elegance, the art-filled living level flows seamlessly out to terraces surrounded by lush gardens.

Custom design and build

Horizon Homes

First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

Flinders Flair

Let's Talk Kitchens & Interiors

A contemporary holiday home located on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula featuring rammed earth walls, timber lined ceilings and flagstone floors. This home incorporates strong, natural elements and the joinery throughout features custom, stained oak timber cabinetry and natural limestone benchtops. With a nod to the mid century modern era and a balance of natural, warm elements this home displays a uniquely Australian design style. This home is a cocoon like sanctuary for rejuvenation and relaxation with all the modern conveniences one could wish for thoughtfully integrated.

Medina

Lind Nelson Construction Inc.

Photography Morgan Sheff
This is an example of a large traditional open concept living room in Minneapolis with a library, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and a stone fireplace surround.

Menlo Park Full Remodel

Fiorella Design, LLC

Living room with paneling on all walls, coffered ceiling, Oly pendant, built-in book cases, bay window, calacatta slab fireplace surround and hearth, 2-way fireplace with wall sconces shared between the family and living room. Photographer Frank Paul Perez Decoration Nancy Evars, Evars + Anderson Interior Design

Chelsea Townhouse renovation

Tim Clarke-Payton.com

Tim Clarke-Payton
Inspiration for a large transitional formal enclosed living room in London with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no tv, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Lake Shore Drive Co-Op featured in House & Garden

Summer Thornton Design, Inc

Josh Thornton
Large eclectic formal enclosed living room in Chicago with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Longwoods Transitional

Frankel Design Build

This is an example of an expansive transitional open concept living room in Houston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Beverly Hills Modern

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

Large modern style Living Room featuring a black tile, floor to ceiling fireplace. Plenty of seating on this white sectional sofa and 2 side chairs. Two pairs of floor to ceiling sliding glass doors open onto the back patio and pool area for the ultimate indoor outdoor lifestyle.

MODERN COTTAGE

Lissa Lee Hickman

This is an example of a large transitional formal open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and coffered.

Marlborough Street Residence 2

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee
This is an example of a large contemporary formal enclosed living room in Boston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

The Delhi Great Room

JayMarc Homes

The upstairs hall features a long catwalk that overlooks the main living.
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Sunset Hill

Heidi Caillier Design

Haris Kenjar
Design ideas for a midcentury living room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

North Shore Playground

Wade Weissmann Architecture

Dark wood beamed ceilings and wood planked floors are tempered by light walls and paneled glass windows in this classic living room.
Design ideas for a large traditional formal enclosed living room in Milwaukee with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Martis Camp Lot 640

Kelly & Stone Architects

Roger Wade Studio
Photo of a large open concept living room in Sacramento with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Living Space with Room for visiting family w/ Stacked Beds

The Group, Inc. Real Estate - Kelly McBartlett

A Brilliant Photo - Agneiszka Wormus
Design ideas for an expansive arts and crafts open concept living room in Denver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Mediterranean Living Room

Expansive mediterranean formal enclosed living room in Houston with beige walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and travertine floors.

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.