We were commissioned to create a contemporary single-storey dwelling with four bedrooms, three main living spaces, gym and enough car spaces for up to 8 vehicles/workshop. Due to the slope of the land the 8 vehicle garage/workshop was placed in a basement level which also contained a bathroom and internal lift shaft for transporting groceries and luggage. The owners had a lovely northerly aspect to the front of home and their preference was to have warm bedrooms in winter and cooler living spaces in summer. So the bedrooms were placed at the front of the house being true north and the livings areas in the southern space. All living spaces have east and west glazing to achieve some sun in winter. Being on a 3 acre parcel of land and being surrounded by acreage properties, the rear of the home had magical vista views especially to the east and across the pastured fields and it was imperative to take in these wonderful views and outlook. We were very fortunate the owners provided complete freedom in the design, including the exterior finish. We had previously worked with the owners on their first home in Dural which gave them complete trust in our design ability to take this home. They also hired the services of a interior designer to complete the internal spaces selection of lighting and furniture. The owners were truly a pleasure to design for, they knew exactly what they wanted and made my design process very smooth. Hornsby Council approved the application within 8 weeks with no neighbor objections. The project manager was as passionate about the outcome as I was and made the building process uncomplicated and headache free.

4415 ST Gas Fireplace

Fireplace Xtrordinair

The 4415 HO See-Thru gas fireplace represents Fireplace X’s most transitional and modern linear gas fireplace yet – offering the best in home heating and style, but with double the fire view. This contemporary gas fireplace features a sleek, linear profile with a long row of dancing flames over a bed of glowing, under-lit crushed glass. The dynamic see-thru design gives you double the amount of fire viewing of this fireplace is perfect for serving as a stylish viewing window between two rooms, or provides a breathtaking display of fire to the center of large rooms and living spaces. The 4415 ST gas fireplace is also an impressive high output heater that features built-in fans which allow you to heat up to 2,100 square feet. The 4415 See-Thru linear gas fireplace is truly the finest see-thru gas fireplace available, in all areas of construction, quality and safety features. This gas fireplace is built with superior craftsmanship to extremely high standards at our factory in Mukilteo, Washington. From the heavy duty welded 14-gauge steel fireplace body, to the durable welded frame surrounding the neoceramic glass, you can actually see the level of quality in our materials and workmanship. Installed over the high clarity glass is a nearly invisible 2015 ANSI-compliant safety screen.

Mendota Hearth ML-47 MOD Linaer

Builders Materials

Give timeless classics a fresh take with this inviting FullView Modern Linear fireplace
This is an example of a mid-sized modern enclosed living room in Albuquerque with brown walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and no tv.

Contemporary Living Room

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary formal open concept living room in San Francisco with brown walls, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv, grey floor, wood and wood walls.

Medina Waterfront Residence, Medina WA

Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects

Detail of living room fireplace. Photography by Lucas Henning.
Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Richmond home

Skyhigh Constructions

Design ideas for a transitional formal enclosed living room in Vancouver with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

South Range Cabin

Johnston Architects

Photo by Will Austin
This is an example of a mid-sized formal open concept living room in Seattle with medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, brown walls, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

East Tennessee Modern Rustic

Altura Architects

This room is a grand two-story room with a generous window that frames distant mountain views to the back of the house. With such a grand room, it needed bold features, which is why we designed a statement fireplace with stone surround and horizontal reclaimed barn wood extending up the wall. Photography by Todd Crawford.

The Roundhouse

Elizabeth Strianese Interiors LLC

The lounge in the restaurant downstairs provides a cozy respite from the busy street. The directive from Rockwell Group was to make it feel like, "the inside of an old cigar box." We had planks milled for the walls with deep "V-grooves" and stained them a dusty brown. We bought Dwell Studios leather arm chairs, and Hans Wegner styled chairs to flank the 2 tree trunk tables. The rug is from ABC carpet, and is an over-dyed lavender oriental rug. The theme of browns, greys and pale purples prevails. Photo by Meredith Heuer.

Locally reclaimed wood ceilings accentuated with operable windows for passive co

Phinney Design Group

Elizabeth Pedinotti Haynes
Photo of a country formal open concept living room with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Restauro e design di interni Cascina tra le colline

Marcello Risso Architetto

Inspiration for an expansive country loft-style living room in Other with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor, wood and brick walls.

Изба

Галина Милошевич

Inspiration for a large formal living room in Moscow with brown walls, porcelain floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, wood and wood walls.

Mountain Mining Residence, Telluride, CO

William Kleinschmidt, Architect

Custom living room fireplace with weathered steel plate front, copper-clad wood picture windows, stained concrete floors and fireplace hearth, and leather furnishings. Photo by Bill Kleinschmidt.

Custom Living Room in Nantucket

J. Graham Goldsmith Architects

Large beach style open concept living room in Boston with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and wood walls.

Denver Flour Mill Loft

Studio Gild

David Lauer Photography
This is an example of an industrial open concept living room in Denver with a corner fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, light hardwood floors and brown walls.

Desert House

Freund Studio

The Living room overlooking the lake view. Photography Dan Freund
This is an example of a large modern open concept living room in Los Angeles with limestone floors, a metal fireplace surround, brown walls, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Rocal Drop Wall Mounted Wood Stove

Redefining Woodburners

Is this the prettiest fire you have ever seen? We think so, and so do thousands of customers worldwide as the Rocal Drop is the number 1 worldwide bestselling model.

Mohawk Carpet

Northwest Floors

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Other with brown walls, carpet, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Interior view of the living and dining spaces, facing south to front entrance.

FabCab

Photography by Dale Lang
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Seattle with brown walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Our Work

Energysavers & FireplaceStars.com

Inspiration for a mid-sized country formal enclosed living room in Boston with brown walls, carpet, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Living Room Design Photos with Brown Walls and a Metal Fireplace Surround

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.