Graced with character and a history, this grand merchant’s terrace was restored and expanded to suit the demands of a family of five.
This is an example of a large transitional living room in Sydney with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

London Townhouse

Lisette Voute Designs

The living room in shades of pale blue and green. Patterned prints across the furnishings add depth to the space and provide cosy seating areas around the room. The built in bookcases provide useful storage and give a sense of height to the room, framing the fireplace with its textured brick surround. Dark oak wood flooring offers warmth throughout.

Library

Paul Craig Photography

Paul Craig photo for Cochrane Design www.cochranedesign.com ©Paul Craig 2014 All Rights Reserved
Photo of a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in London with blue walls, a standard fireplace and grey floor.

Modern Marble Fireplace

Ember Fireplaces

This modern renovation creates a focal point for a cool and modern living room with a linear fireplace surrounded by a wall of wood grain granite. The TV nook is recessed for safety and to create a flush plane for the stone and television. The firebox is enhanced with black enamel panels as well as driftwood and crystal media. The stainless steel surround matches the mixed metal accents of the furnishings.

Atomic Ranch MCM Main House

Breathe Design Studio

Our Austin studio decided to go bold with this project by ensuring that each space had a unique identity in the Mid-Century Modern style bathroom, butler's pantry, and mudroom. We covered the bathroom walls and flooring with stylish beige and yellow tile that was cleverly installed to look like two different patterns. The mint cabinet and pink vanity reflect the mid-century color palette. The stylish knobs and fittings add an extra splash of fun to the bathroom. The butler's pantry is located right behind the kitchen and serves multiple functions like storage, a study area, and a bar. We went with a moody blue color for the cabinets and included a raw wood open shelf to give depth and warmth to the space. We went with some gorgeous artistic tiles that create a bold, intriguing look in the space. In the mudroom, we used siding materials to create a shiplap effect to create warmth and texture – a homage to the classic Mid-Century Modern design. We used the same blue from the butler's pantry to create a cohesive effect. The large mint cabinets add a lighter touch to the space. --- Project designed by the Atomic Ranch featured modern designers at Breathe Design Studio. From their Austin design studio, they serve an eclectic and accomplished nationwide clientele including in Palm Springs, LA, and the San Francisco Bay Area. For more about Breathe Design Studio, see here: https://www.breathedesignstudio.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.breathedesignstudio.com/atomic-ranch

Destin Lake House Oasis

Bob Chatham Custom Home Design

Cathedral ceilings with stained wood beams. Large windows and doors for lanai entry. Wood plank ceiling and arched doorways. Stone stacked fireplace and built in shelving. Lake front home designed by Bob Chatham Custom Home Design and built by Destin Custom Home Builders. Interior Design by Helene Forester and Bunny Hall of Lovelace Interiors. Photos by Tim Kramer Real Estate Photography of Destin, Florida.

Brookhaven Living Room Remodel - Atlanta

Rachel Oliver Design, LLC

This comfy living room is right off the kitchen and makes entertaining a breeze. With French door opening to the patio, who could ask for more? Dog and kid friendly fabrics and rug make this a haven for watching TV or family game night!

Portfolio of Work

User

Traditional living room in San Francisco with blue walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

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.

Colourful Georgian Townhouse, Cheltenham

Completion Interior Design & Architecture

blue walls, glass ring chandelier, curtain trim, banded curtains, drawing room, engineered wood flooring, fire seat, mouldings, picture rail, regency, silk rug, sitting room, wall lights, wall paneling,

Bushey Avenue

Studio Fabbri

The cosy and grown-up formal lounge is connected to the open-plan family space by a large pocket door.
Design ideas for a large contemporary enclosed living room in London with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and multi-coloured floor.

Truehart

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

A request we often receive is to have an open floor plan, and for good reason too! Many of us don't want to be cut off from all the fun that's happening in our entertaining spaces. Knocking out the wall in between the living room and kitchen creates a much better flow.

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.

Crouch End Apartment

A New Day - Interior Design Studio

The living room at our Crouch End apartment project, creating a chic, cosy space to relax and entertain. A soft powder blue adorns the walls in a room that is flooded with natural light. Brass clad shelves bring a considered attention to detail, with contemporary fixtures contrasted with a traditional sofa shape.

Hopfner Custom Home

Wanner Construction

Design ideas for a contemporary enclosed living room in Other with blue walls, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Old Beach Spec Home

VB Homes Design, Build, Remodel

Mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Other with blue walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Modern Day Victorian Inspired Home

JASMIN REESE INTERIORS

This is an example of a large traditional formal enclosed living room in Chicago with blue walls, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Contemporary Bath Home

Garry Meakins Studio

Design ideas for a large transitional formal living room in Wiltshire with blue walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Classic Lakeside Renovation

Karen Kempf Interiors

Wade Weissmann Architecture, Jorndt Builders LLC, Talia Laird Photography
Photo of a large modern formal enclosed living room in Milwaukee with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mid-Century Remodel

Amy Friedberg Design

Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with blue walls, a standard fireplace and grey floor.

All Fireplaces Living Room Design Photos with Blue 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.