Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.

Point Lonsdale II

Stonehouse + Irons Architecture

Concrete block walls provide thermal mass for heating and defence agains hot summer. The subdued colours create a quiet and cosy space focussed around the fire. Timber joinery adds warmth and texture , framing the collections of books and collected objects.

R Residence

archer design

Central to the success of this project is the seamless link between interior and exterior zones. The external zones free-flow off the interior to create a sophisticated yet secluded space to lounge, entertain and dine.

Rosanna

DSdezines Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

East Toowoomba Cottage

Ivy + Piper Pty Ltd

This is an example of a country living room in Brisbane with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Pinecrest Residence

Anders Lasater Architects

photo by Chad Mellon
Design ideas for a large beach style open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, vaulted, wood and planked wall panelling.

Chalet Alta Rocca

Thomas Devard Photographie

Photo of a country living room in Nancy with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam, wood and wood walls.

Casa La Saxe

Studio Idealab

This is an example of a country living room in Other with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam, wood and wood walls.

Apartments Neva Towers 1

Архитектурная мастерская Мартынова и Гатиловой

Гостиная объединена с пространством кухни-столовой. Островное расположение дивана формирует композицию вокруг, кухня эргономично разместили в нише. Интерьер выстроен на полутонах и теплых оттенках, теплый дуб на полу подчеркнут изящными вставками и деталями из латуни; комфорта и изысканности добавляют сделанные на заказ стеновые панели с интегрированным ТВ.

Earth

Velvet Interiors

kitchen - living room
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Other with a home bar, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Classic Design on Rolling Hills

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

Photo of a large traditional loft-style living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv, brown floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Reforma integral - Selva Roja

ESTUDI A L'ÀTIC. Benvinguts al Slow Design!

Unificamos el espacio de salón comedor y cocina para ganar amplitud, zona de juegos y multitarea. Aislamos la pared que nos separa con el vecino, para ganar privacidad y confort térmico. Apostamos para revestir esta pared con ladrillo manual auténtico. La climatización para los meses más calurosos la aportamos con ventiladores muy silenciosos y eficientes.

Cliffside Farmhouse // Modern Farmhouse

Younger Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Austin with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Tiny House at Cheekwood

Noble Johnson Architects

Kitchenette/Office/ Living space with loft above accessed via a ladder. The bookshelf has an integrated stained wood desk/dining table that can fold up and serves as sculptural artwork when the desk is not in use. Photography: Gieves Anderson Noble Johnson Architects was honored to partner with Huseby Homes to design a Tiny House which was displayed at Nashville botanical garden, Cheekwood, for two weeks in the spring of 2021. It was then auctioned off to benefit the Swan Ball. Although the Tiny House is only 383 square feet, the vaulted space creates an incredibly inviting volume. Its natural light, high end appliances and luxury lighting create a welcoming space.

ЖК «ПРАЙМ-ТАЙМ»

Posh Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized transitional living room in Moscow with a library, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Ketchum Cabin Retreat

User

The natural elements of the home soften the hard lines, allowing it to submerge into its surroundings. The living, dining, and kitchen opt for views rather than walls. The living room is encircled by three, 16’ lift and slide doors, creating a room that feels comfortable sitting amongst the trees. Because of this the love and appreciation for the location are felt throughout the main floor. The emphasis on larger-than-life views is continued into the main sweet with a door for a quick escape to the wrap-around two-story deck.

Creighton Woods

Judith Balis Interiors

I used soft arches, warm woods, and loads of texture to create a warm and sophisticated yet casual space.
Design ideas for a mid-sized country living room in Boise with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Modern Northwoods Residence Great Room & Dining

Amy Carman Design

A view from the living room into the dining, kitchen, and loft areas of the main living space. Windows and walk-outs on both levels allow views and ease of access to the lake at all times.

Living Room Facelift

Grayscale Homes Designs

Photo of a large country open concept living room in New York with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Modern Farmhouse New Build in Vienna

Olamar Interiors

A modern farmhouse living room designed for a new construction home in Vienna, VA.
Design ideas for a large country open concept living room in DC Metro with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

All Ceiling Designs All Wall Treatments Living Room Design Photos

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.