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.

The Barn

Paul Uhlmann Architects

This residence was designed to be a rural weekend getaway for a city couple and their children. The idea of ‘The Barn’ was embraced, as the building was intended to be an escape for the family to go and enjoy their horses. The ground floor plan has the ability to completely open up and engage with the sprawling lawn and grounds of the property. This also enables cross ventilation, and the ability of the family’s young children and their friends to run in and out of the building as they please. Cathedral-like ceilings and windows open up to frame views to the paddocks and bushland below. As a weekend getaway and when other families come to stay, the bunkroom upstairs is generous enough for multiple children. The rooms upstairs also have skylights to watch the clouds go past during the day, and the stars by night. Australian hardwood has been used extensively both internally and externally, to reference the rural setting.

Inland House Mangawhai

Gerrad Hall Architects

Tash Hopkins
This is an example of an asian living room in Auckland with brown walls, concrete floors and grey floor.

Kingswood

Millgate

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in Berkshire with brown walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Office Building Remodel

Michele McCarthy Interiors

This is an example of a large eclectic open concept living room in Denver with brown walls, slate floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Addison Farm Barn

Joan Heaton Architects

Bob Schatz
Design ideas for a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in Burlington with brown walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, no tv and grey floor.

Living Room - Contemporary Classic Pad

Ethnic Chic - Home Couture

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Amsterdam with brown walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv, grey floor and panelled walls.

Woodside Modern Allure

Vivid Interior Design - Danielle Loven

Large modern open concept living room in Minneapolis with brown walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and panelled walls.

The Denizen

Veronica Rodriguez Interior Photography

Inspiration for a large industrial open concept living room in London with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, grey floor and brick walls.

Laguna Beach Residence

Laurie Steichen Design LLC

Living room featuring custom walnut paneling with bronze open fireplace surrounded with antique brick. Sleek contemporary feel with Christian Liaigre linen slipcovered chairs, Mateliano from HollyHunt sofa & vintage indigo throw. Herve Vanderstraeten lamp

Marrickville HempCrete House

Hemp Gallery Australia Pty Ltd

The Marrickville Hempcrete house is an exciting project that shows how acoustic requirements for aircraft noise can be met, without compromising on thermal performance and aesthetics.The design challenge was to create a better living space for a family of four without increasing the site coverage. The existing footprint has not been increased on the ground floor but reconfigured to improve circulation, usability and connection to the backyard. A mere 35 square meters has been added on the first floor. The result is a generous house that provides three bedrooms, a study, two bathrooms, laundry, generous kitchen dining area and outdoor space on a 197.5sqm site. This is a renovation that incorporates basic passive design principles combined with clients who weren’t afraid to be bold with new materials, texture and colour. Special thanks to a dedicated group of consultants, suppliers and a ambitious builder working collaboratively throughout the process. Builder Nick Sowden - Sowden Building Architect/Designer Tracy Graham - Connected Design Photography Lena Barridge - The Corner Studio

18th Street Renovation

Alair Homes Phoenix

This renovation included the complete removal and reconfiguration of the kitchen, living room, dining room, fireplace, bathroom, and foyer into a contemporary modern space. The kitchen countertop/seating area was added with waterfall quartz tops and accented with lighting for an elegant entertaining area. New statement fireplace/entertainment wall sets the living room.

Fort Lauderdale Contemporary Waterfront Solar Plaza Residence

KoDA

This is an example of an expansive contemporary open concept living room in Miami with brown walls, concrete floors, a built-in media wall and grey floor.

The Oval

Designed Design Associates (DDA)

Stone glassed TV feature wall and customized hand tufted carpet all add sophistication and elegance to this very high-end interior.
Contemporary living room in Other with brown walls, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

CASA LLERS

Marta Estarriol Interiorisme

This is an example of a modern open concept living room in Other with brown walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, grey floor and panelled walls.

Iowa Milled Log Home Great Room , A Cabin Refined™ Home

M.T.N Design

Luxury residence produced by PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes; Photo By: David Bader Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Other with no tv, brown walls and grey floor.

Vernacular Modern

Rehkamp Larson Architects, Inc.

Scott Amundson Photography
Photo of a country open concept living room in Minneapolis with concrete floors, a standard fireplace, brown walls, grey floor, vaulted, wood and wood walls.

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.

Dark Blue Cabinetry & Book Shelving

Grovewood Joinery

Bespoke blue and black bookshelves and cabinetry.
Design ideas for a large traditional formal open concept living room in London with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

New Work - Miscellaneous

The Window Depot LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Tampa with brown walls, carpet, no fireplace, a freestanding tv and grey floor.

Living Room Design Photos with Brown Walls and Grey 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.