Photo of a contemporary living room in Melbourne with beige walls, carpet, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Manly 20

Watershed Architects

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Sydney with white walls, carpet, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Art Forms Hindley & Co - Furniture and skylight

Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design

Highlight and skylight bring in light from above whilst maintaining privacy from the street. Artwork by Patricia Piccinini and Peter Hennessey. Rug from Armadillo and vintage chair from Casser Maison, Togo chairs from Domo.

Client House

Interiors Joan and Associates

Photo of a contemporary living room in Omaha with carpet, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and beige walls.

Country Sitting Room

Natalie Davies Interior Design

This beautiful sitting room is one of my favourite projects to date – it’s such an elegant and welcoming room, created around the beautiful curtain fabric that my client fell in love with.

Woven Wood Shades

Style Savvy Designs

Photo of a large beach style formal enclosed living room in DC Metro with grey walls, carpet, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

An Artist's Retreat

Derrick Dodge Interior Design

Windows were added to this living space for maximum light. The clients' collection of art and sculpture are the focus of the room. A custom limestone fireplace was designed to add focus to the only wall in this space. The furniture is a mix of custom English and contemporary all atop antique Persian rugs. The blue velvet bench in front was designed by Mr. Dodge out of maple to offset the antiques in the room and compliment the contemporary art. All the windows overlook the cabana, art studio, pool and patio.

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.

Breathing Room

Soucie Horner, Ltd.

A fresh take on traditional style, this sprawling suburban home draws its occupants together in beautifully, comfortably designed spaces that gather family members for companionship, conversation, and conviviality. At the same time, it adroitly accommodates a crowd, and facilitates large-scale entertaining with ease. This balance of private intimacy and public welcome is the result of Soucie Horner’s deft remodeling of the original floor plan and creation of an all-new wing comprising functional spaces including a mudroom, powder room, laundry room, and home office, along with an exciting, three-room teen suite above. A quietly orchestrated symphony of grayed blues unites this home, from Soucie Horner Collections custom furniture and rugs, to objects, accessories, and decorative exclamationpoints that punctuate the carefully synthesized interiors. A discerning demonstration of family-friendly living at its finest.

Shades

Shades On Wheels, LLC.

Mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Boston with grey walls, carpet, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Great Rooms

Carolina Timberworks

White Oak © Carolina Timberworks
Design ideas for a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in Charlotte with white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Larry E. Boerder Architects

Institute of Classical Architecture & Art - Texas

Playful Pink Playroom at the Crown House

Willow & Bert Interiors

Stylish doesn't have to mean serious. I like to have fun with interiors when the brief allows- this playroom was a transformation project from gloomy dining room to inspiring children’s play room. Timeless prints like this beauty, hung above the original fireplace, bring whimsicality without compromising on style and will weather the test of time as the children grow.

Casa De Cinco

Blythe Interiors

Inspiration for a large eclectic open concept living room in San Diego with white walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Appartement bohème Saumur

Oz & Babylone

Dans le séjour les murs peints en Ressource Deep Celadon Green s'harmonisent parfaitement avec les tomettes du sol.
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic open concept living room in Angers with green walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace and orange floor.

Modern Period Family Home

NB Interiors UK

A country cottage large open plan living room was given a modern makeover with a mid century twist. Now a relaxed and stylish space for the owners.
Large midcentury open concept living room in Other with a library, beige walls, carpet, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Pietra Grey

Ollin Stone

Pietra Grey is a distinguishing trait of the I Naturali series is soil. A substance which on the one hand recalls all things primordial and on the other the possibility of being plied. As a result, the slab made from the ceramic lends unique value to the settings it clads.

Grade II Listed Home

Murray Hurst Interiors

Traditional open concept living room in Other with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, white floor and panelled walls.

Project LEAF

DECODE DECO INTERNATIONAL

Small midcentury enclosed living room in Other with green walls, carpet, beige floor and panelled walls.

Harrison Township, MI Living Room

J. Raine Design

Design ideas for a large transitional formal open concept living room in Detroit with blue walls, carpet and no tv.

Living Room Design Photos with Carpet and Terra-cotta 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.