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.

Grant St

Rounded Edge Style

Tones of olive green and brass accents add warmth to this timeless space.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Perth with porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor, decorative wall panelling and white walls.

Rosanna Family Home

Sally Feeney Interior Design Pty Ltd

Through the use of form and texture, we gave these spaces added dimension and soul. What was a flat blank wall is now the focus for the Family Room and includes a fireplace, TV and storage.

Contemporary Refinement

emme designs

Design ideas for a contemporary living room in Melbourne with brown walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and grey floor.

Villandry Circle

Hills & Grant

Photo: Lisa Petrole
Photo of an expansive contemporary formal living room in San Francisco with white walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, no tv, grey floor and a metal fireplace surround.

Modern Design and Outdoor Living

Freestyle Interiors

Design ideas for a large modern open concept living room in Miami with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, porcelain floors, a tile fireplace surround and beige floor.

Hauss

Randal G. Winter Construction Inc.

Mel Carll
Photo of a large arts and crafts open concept living room in Los Angeles with beige walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Vermont Castings - Defiant Wood Stove

Natick Fireplace

Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Orange County with white walls, porcelain floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

All Modern

Gervis Design Studio

Photograph by Ibi Designs
Large contemporary formal open concept living room in Miami with white walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Birch Knoll Restoration

k YODER design, LLC

A custom walnut cabinet conceals the living room television. New floor-to-ceiling sliding window walls open the room to the adjacent patio. Sky-Frame sliding doors/windows via Dover Windows and Doors; Kolbe VistaLuxe fixed and casement windows via North American Windows and Doors; Element by Tech Lighting recessed lighting; Lea Ceramiche Waterfall porcelain stoneware tiles

Modern New Construction

Regal Construction & Remodeling Inc.

Design ideas for a large modern open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Grace of light

Bellas Artes

Design ideas for a large modern open concept living room in Valencia with white walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and grey floor.

Beverly Estates Residence

Ameen Ayoub Design Studio

Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with a home bar, brown walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Intracoastal Modern Home

OnPoint Design Group | NonStop Staging

Living Room of an Intracoastal Home in Sarasota, Florida. Design by Doshia Wagner of NonStop Staging. Photography by Christina Cook Lee.
Design ideas for a large modern open concept living room in Tampa with grey walls, porcelain floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Hollywood Regency Living Room

Blackdoor Design by Tamra Coviello

A bit of bling in the lounge! These Four Hands chairs add pop of color and luxury to this customized space. Designed as a conversation space, Tamra combined textures to make it cozy and the fireplace tiled to the ceiling creates a unique centerpiece. Museum lighting is a great way to display collectible items, such as guitars! Photo by Melissa Au

San Diego California

2id Interiors

Inspiration for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in San Diego with beige walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

TRANSITIONAL CUSTOM HOME IN WINDERMERE FLORIDA

Element Home Builders

Inspiration for a large transitional formal open concept living room in Orlando with grey walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and white floor.

Laguna Beach - Temple Hills

Corbin Reeves Construction

Design ideas for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Orange County with porcelain floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and beige floor.

Villandry Circle

Hills & Grant

Photo: Lisa Petrole
This is an example of an expansive modern formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, grey floor and porcelain floors.

Napoleon Fireplace Design Gallery

Wyckoff Heating Cooling

This is an example of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

All Fireplace Surrounds Living Room Design Photos with Porcelain Floors

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.