Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Traditional Brick Fireplace- American Hearth

American Hearth - Empire Comfort Systems

Photo of a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in St Louis with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Timberframe Lake Escape

Old Hampshire Designs Inc

Built by Old Hampshire Designs, Inc. John W. Hession, Photographer
Design ideas for a large country formal open concept living room in Boston with light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown walls, no tv and beige floor.

Back Bay Condo

Bloomsbury Designs

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Boston with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and wallpaper.

Rustic Modern Living Room

AT6 Design Build

Design ideas for a transitional formal open concept living room in Sacramento with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

San Jose Eichler

BLAINE architects

Jean Bai, Konstrukt Photo
This is an example of a midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with brown walls, vinyl floors, white floor, a library, no fireplace and no tv.

Mendota Design Gallery

Susi Builders Supply Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Other with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Fanimation Ceiling Fans

Fan Diego - The Ceiling Fan Stores

Mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in San Diego with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and no tv.

Hardwood Flooring

CarpetsPlus ColorTile Missoula

Design ideas for a mid-sized country formal enclosed living room in Other with brown walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Wall System Concepts

Sam's Wood Furniture

This is an example of a small transitional enclosed living room in Burlington with a music area, brown walls, carpet, no fireplace, no tv and beige floor.

The Nest

User

Inspiration for a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in Boston with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown walls, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Lake Winnipesaukee Retreat

Bensonwood

Jamie Salomon, Stylist Susan Salomon
Design ideas for a country formal open concept living room in Boston with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove and no tv.

Contemporary Farmhouse

Sleeping Dog Properties, Inc.

White - Black living room
Inspiration for a transitional formal living room in Manchester with brown walls, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Algonquin Transitional with Color

New Perspective Design, Inc.

Cross cut travertine tiles give this gas fireplace an unusual look that pops off the dark walls. The ottomans tuck under the coffee table but can be pulled out for additional seating or foot rests.

Color Tells a Story!

Urso Designs

Jeff Garland Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized mediterranean enclosed living room in Detroit with no fireplace, no tv, brown walls, carpet and red floor.

Living Room

Garret Cord Werner Architects & Interior Designers

Architecture by Bosworth Hoedemaker & Garret Cord Werner. Interior design by Garret Cord Werner.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Seattle with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Living Room

Harper Floors

Our Windsor waterproof SPC Vinyl Plank Floors add an effortless accent to this industrial styled home. The perfect shade of gray with wood grain texture to highlight the blacks and tonal browns in this living room.

Heatilator Design Gallery

CR Gas Logs & Fireplaces

Inspiration for a large traditional formal open concept living room in Boston with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

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.

Modern New Home - Ground Up

Heritage Construction Companies, LLC.

Photo of an expansive contemporary open concept living room in Minneapolis with a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown walls, porcelain floors, no tv and grey floor.

Living Room Design Photos with Brown Walls and No TV

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.