Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with magnificent views across rolling countryside to the sea, this redundant and dilapidated barn was carefully and sympathetically converted into a three bedroom house. Once part of a small, working farmstead, the barn was restored to retain much of its original appearance and character. Existing door and window openings were retained and established conservation methods and techniques were used in the restoration, including rubble stone pointed in lime mortar, cob block repairs and lime render with a lime wash finish. The roof was constructed of salvaged natural rag slate, with matching clay ridge tiles, laid over a traditional principle truss roofing system. The contemporary replacement of an adjoining barn is vertically clad with timber to create a distinct but complementary addition that integrates with the existing building and surrounding elements, respecting the sensitivity of the location in terms of scale and massing. Locally-sourced, traditional vernacular materials were used throughout and any existing site materials were re-used where possible. Photograph: Aspects Holidays Cornwall

Blue River Peaks

TKP Architects

Winner: Platinum Award for Best in America Living Awards 2023. Atop a mountain peak, nearly two miles above sea level, sits a pair of non-identical, yet related, twins. Inspired by intersecting jagged peaks, these unique homes feature soft dark colors, rich textural exterior stone, and patinaed Shou SugiBan siding, allowing them to integrate quietly into the surrounding landscape, and to visually complete the natural ridgeline. Despite their smaller size, these homes are richly appointed with amazing, organically inspired contemporary details that work to seamlessly blend their interior and exterior living spaces. The simple, yet elegant interior palette includes slate floors, T&G ash ceilings and walls, ribbed glass handrails, and stone or oxidized metal fireplace surrounds.

Port Colborne Contemporary Beach House

Sider Bros. Builders Ltd

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in Other with brown walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, grey floor, exposed beam, vaulted, wood and wood walls.

Town & Country Custom Home

G. Terbrock Luxury Homes

Photo of a transitional open concept living room in St Louis with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

Grass Valley Ranch Home

Design Shop Interiors

built in, cabin, custom-made, family-friendly, lake house, living room furniture, ranch home, sitting area, upholstered benches, upholstered sofa
Country living room in Sacramento with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, vaulted, wood and wood walls.

Newport Beach Villa

Ryan Rosene Photography

Beach house on the harbor in Newport with coastal décor and bright inviting colors.
Inspiration for a large beach style open concept living room in Orange County with a home bar, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Living Room Views

Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.

Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in DC Metro with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and vaulted.

Modernized Classic Home

Method Architecture Studio, PLLC

A vaulted ceiling welcomes you into this charming living room. The symmetry of the built-ins surrounding the fireplace and TV are detailed with white and blue finishes. Grey finishes, brass chandeliers and patterned touches soften the form of the space.

Leelanau Stable House

Shoreline Architecture & Design

Design ideas for a large open concept living room in Other with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Modern French Maison

Jonathan Miller Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized open concept living room in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Prairie Hills Custom

Huffman Custom Homes

Farmhouse living room with cathedral ceiling, built-in bookcases and fireplace.
Large country open concept living room in Oklahoma City with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and vaulted.

Atelier 211

Z Builders

Atelier 211 is an ocean view, modern A-Frame beach residence nestled within Atlantic Beach and Amagansett Lanes. Custom-fit, 4,150 square foot, six bedroom, and six and a half bath residence in Amagansett; Atelier 211 is carefully considered with a fully furnished elective. The residence features a custom designed chef’s kitchen, serene wellness spa featuring a separate sauna and steam room. The lounge and deck overlook a heated saline pool surrounded by tiered grass patios and ocean views.

Deer Valley Dream

Kristina Lawrence Interior Design

Inspiration for an expansive transitional open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Issaquah Modern Monochrome

ULLE Studio

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, yellow floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

2021 Custom Ranch Home

The Ben Brown Group

Photo of a large country open concept living room in Houston with beige walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and vaulted.

California Cottage

Colossus Mfg.

Cabin inspired living room with stone fireplace, dark olive green wainscoting walls, a brown velvet couch, twin blue floral oversized chairs, plaid rug, a dark wood coffee table, and antique chandelier lighting.

Modern Kitchen & Vaulted Living

White Crane Construction

Design ideas for a modern loft-style living room in Minneapolis with a home bar, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Project Rush Haven

Terravista Interior Design Group

The homeowners wanted an updated style for their home that incorporated their existing traditional pieces. We added transitional furnishings with clean lines and a neutral palette to create a fresh and sophisticated traditional design plan.

Kitchen/Living Room Remodel

Sherrie Stewart

Living room with stone fireplace, Frame TV and wood ceiling.
Large transitional open concept living room in San Diego with white walls, ceramic floors, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, vaulted, exposed beam, timber and a standard fireplace.

Dreamy Scandi Acadian

Bohannon Design Team

Mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv and vaulted.

Living Room Design Photos with a Stone Fireplace Surround and Vaulted

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.