Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.

R Residence

archer design

Central to the success of this project is the seamless link between interior and exterior zones. The external zones free-flow off the interior to create a sophisticated yet secluded space to lounge, entertain and dine.

Dural

Distinct Innovations Pty Ltd

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.

Smith and Primmer, Steve Andrea & Karin McNamara Design

Housing Industry Association - HIA

This complex build is underpinned by the use of detailed off-form concrete forms, exotic internal and external finishes, copper cladding and roofing, painted steel windows, bespoke joinery, traditional venetian render and highly detailed steel elements. The detailing and craftsmanship is second-to-none, with the home displaying sympathy for its surroundings; evolving from its inception to creation.

Ultra Modern Semi-Detached/Residence 1

Claridge Construction

This is an example of a large modern open concept living room in Adelaide with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, concrete floors, black floor and a wall-mounted tv.

WEST MELBOURNE 01

Ed Ewers Architecture

This is an example of an industrial living room in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, grey floor and wood.

Modern Living Room

Photo of a modern living room in Melbourne with concrete floors.

Yarraville – Sustainable Home

Michael Worth Projects

Photo of a contemporary living room in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Willoughby

Glenstone Living

This is an example of a contemporary living room in Sydney with white walls, concrete floors, grey floor and brick walls.

Avant Garde Farmhouse - Axis H1600XXL

Sculpt Fireplace Collection

The Axis H1600XXL is Australia's largest inbuilt wood fireplace. Thanks to the team at Swell Building Group, this stunning unit was included in the design of Lo Laire, located in Merricks, Victoria! A stunning unit, bound to make a designer statement and keep you warm through those chilly Peninsula winters!

Little Richardson

Mcmahon and Nerlich

Living room makes the most of the light and space and colours relate to charred black timber cladding
Design ideas for a small industrial open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and wood.

Enamour Terrace

Kitty Lee Architecture

Design ideas for a small contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, concrete floors and a wall-mounted tv.

Berkeley Vale Home

AMA Studio Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, concrete floors, a corner fireplace, grey floor and planked wall panelling.

Point Lonsdale II

Stonehouse + Irons Architecture

Concrete block walls provide thermal mass for heating and defence agains hot summer. The subdued colours create a quiet and cosy space focussed around the fire. Timber joinery adds warmth and texture , framing the collections of books and collected objects.

Brighton: Renovation & Extension

First Avenue Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

European Farmhouse

Owen Homes LLC

Large transitional formal open concept living room in Kansas City with grey walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv and brown floor.

Carmel Highlands Pelican House

Eric Miller Architects, Inc.

Photo by: Russell Abraham
Inspiration for a large modern open concept living room in San Francisco with a home bar, white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Martin House

bg architecture

Shannon McGrath
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with concrete floors and white walls.

Hidden House

minimal windows® UK

The house had two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open plan living and kitchen space.
This is an example of a modern open concept living room in London with concrete floors, a wood stove and grey floor.

Atlantic Beach Contemporary Kitchen

The Cabinet Shoppe

bench storage cabinets with white top Jessie Preza
Design ideas for a large contemporary formal enclosed living room in Jacksonville with concrete floors, brown floor, white walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Living Room Design Photos with Concrete Floors and Ceramic 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.