Traditional formal open concept living room in Kansas City with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Lake Travis Overlook

Marion Interior Design

This is an example of a large modern formal open concept living room in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

The living room showing the new tile fireplace and the new windows.

Mark Brand Architecture

For our client, who had previous experience working with architects, we enlarged, completely gutted and remodeled this Twin Peaks diamond in the rough. The top floor had a rear-sloping ceiling that cut off the amazing view, so our first task was to raise the roof so the great room had a uniformly high ceiling. Clerestory windows bring in light from all directions. In addition, we removed walls, combined rooms, and installed floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding doors in sleek black aluminum at each floor to create generous rooms with expansive views. At the basement, we created a full-floor art studio flooded with light and with an en-suite bathroom for the artist-owner. New exterior decks, stairs and glass railings create outdoor living opportunities at three of the four levels. We designed modern open-riser stairs with glass railings to replace the existing cramped interior stairs. The kitchen features a 16 foot long island which also functions as a dining table. We designed a custom wall-to-wall bookcase in the family room as well as three sleek tiled fireplaces with integrated bookcases. The bathrooms are entirely new and feature floating vanities and a modern freestanding tub in the master. Clean detailing and luxurious, contemporary finishes complete the look.

Contemporary Elegance

The Couture Haus Interior Design

Modern Living room
Design ideas for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Raleigh with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and coffered.

Living Room viewed from Entry

Guideline Studios, LLC

The expansive Living Room features a floating wood fireplace hearth and adjacent wood shelves. The linear electric fireplace keeps the wall mounted tv above at a comfortable viewing height. Generous windows fill the 14 foot high roof with ample daylight.

The Magnolia - Great Room to Kitchen

Drewett Works

WINNER: Silver Award – One-of-a-Kind Custom or Spec 4,001 – 5,000 sq ft, Best in American Living Awards, 2019 Affectionately called The Magnolia, a reference to the architect's Southern upbringing, this project was a grass roots exploration of farmhouse architecture. Located in Phoenix, Arizona’s idyllic Arcadia neighborhood, the home gives a nod to the area’s citrus orchard history. Echoing the past while embracing current millennial design expectations, this just-complete speculative family home hosts four bedrooms, an office, open living with a separate “dirty kitchen”, and the Stone Bar. Positioned in the Northwestern portion of the site, the Stone Bar provides entertainment for the interior and exterior spaces. With retracting sliding glass doors and windows above the bar, the space opens up to provide a multipurpose playspace for kids and adults alike. Nearly as eyecatching as the Camelback Mountain view is the stunning use of exposed beams, stone, and mill scale steel in this grass roots exploration of farmhouse architecture. White painted siding, white interior walls, and warm wood floors communicate a harmonious embrace in this soothing, family-friendly abode. Project Details // The Magnolia House Architecture: Drewett Works Developer: Marc Development Builder: Rafterhouse Interior Design: Rafterhouse Landscape Design: Refined Gardens Photographer: ProVisuals Media Awards Silver Award – One-of-a-Kind Custom or Spec 4,001 – 5,000 sq ft, Best in American Living Awards, 2019 Featured In “The Genteel Charm of Modern Farmhouse Architecture Inspired by Architect C.P. Drewett,” by Elise Glickman for Iconic Life, Nov 13, 2019

Compact Ski Cabin

Reilly Design

Living room in a compact ski cabin
Photo of a small transitional enclosed living room in Boston with a library, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Victorian Country House

Laura Passey Interiors Ltd

Drawing Room
This is an example of a large country enclosed living room in London with pink walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and wallpaper.

Happy Valley Family Home

JL Interior Design, LLC

Photo of a transitional living room in San Francisco with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Mt Pleasant | New Construction | More than Kitchens

Southeast Kitchens

This is an example of a large mediterranean formal open concept living room in Charleston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

PARADISE VALLEY VILLA

Lissa Lee Hickman

Photo of a mediterranean formal open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, coffered and wood.

Lower Haight Victorian

APJ Interiors LLC

Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Spacious Modern Ranch

A la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

Country open concept living room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

North Lincoln Hinsdale

Plain & Posh

The homeowners wanted to open up their living and kitchen area to create a more open plan. We relocated doors and tore open a wall to make that happen. New cabinetry and floors where installed and the ceiling and fireplace where painted. This home now functions the way it should for this young family!

Scandi Modern

Coddington Design

Minimal, mindful design meets stylish comfort in this family home filled with light and warmth. Using a serene, neutral palette filled with warm walnut and light oak finishes, with touches of soft grays and blues, we transformed our client’s new family home into an airy, functionally stylish, serene family retreat. The home highlights modern handcrafted wooden furniture pieces, soft, whimsical kids’ bedrooms, and a clean-lined, understated blue kitchen large enough for the whole family to gather.

Linden Hills

Locale Design Build

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Minneapolis with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Bayfront Home with Cusom Cabinetry by Eastburn Woodworks

User

Inspiration for a large traditional open concept living room in New Orleans with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

Turtle Creek Timeless

Ashby Collective

Photo of a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Dallas with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Milton Farmhouse Stage

White Dog Home

This is an example of a transitional formal open concept living room in Atlanta with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Living Room

Monarch Custom Homes

This is an example of a transitional open concept living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

All Fireplaces Living Room Design Photos with Brown Floor

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.