Modern living room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and beige floor.

This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Coogee Residence

Jodie Carter Design

Family Living Room in Coogee Home
Inspiration for a large beach style open concept living room in Sydney with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors and a wall-mounted tv.

Killara House

O'Meara Jones

Design ideas for a large transitional open concept living room in Sydney with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and coffered.

CREMORNE

Jane Thomson Interior Design

There’s nothing more satisfying and heart-warming to work with clients on multiple projects. I consider myself so fortunate to have met and worked with my Cremorne clients. The first time, I completed a full renovation of their then Mosman federation home back in 2007. This wonderful couple trusted me implicitly. As a designer, it’s one of the best feelings when clients are so willing to take on and run with your ideas. Getting to know your clients and forge lifetime friendships is an absolute privilege. So, in 2019 Ken and Pip, now empty-nesters, contacted me to help them with their brand-new abode. A considerable departure from their very traditional style that they’d left in Mosman. They wanted a new look. A complete departure, to a simple, sleek, and comfortable look, yet with an on-trend, but timeless feel. I’m so lucky to have worked with these amazing people.

Dpoint

William Mallat / Photographer

William Mallat Photo 2022©
Photo of a contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Custom design and build

Horizon Homes

First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

Willow

Haus Residential

Inspiration for a modern open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Collis, Brighton East

The Kitchen Design Centre

Design ideas for a contemporary living room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Fabrica

Mcmahon and Nerlich

The soaring ceiling height of the living areas of this warehouse-inspired house
Design ideas for a mid-sized industrial open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, beige floor, exposed beam and wood.

Yarrawarrah Private Residence

Michelle Viret Design

Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors and grey floor.

New build

schemes & spaces

Living room with fireplace
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with green walls, dark hardwood floors and a tile fireplace surround.

Wahroonga

Angela Steyn & Co Design

Contemporary living room
Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Forest Lodge Project

Designer Sparks Interiors

A view from the dinning room through to the formal lounge
Traditional open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround and black floor.

Paddington Residence

zooi design

This is an example of a contemporary living room in Sunshine Coast with white walls, light hardwood floors and grey floor.

Miller Point Apartment

Novari Interior Design

Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Balmain Terrace House

Annie Bowen Design

Graced with character and a history, this grand merchant’s terrace was restored and expanded to suit the demands of a family of five.
This is an example of a large transitional living room in Sydney with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Mont Albert North Renovation and Extension

Sherbrooke Design and Construction

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with black walls, light hardwood floors and a hanging fireplace.

Living

O'Meara Jones

Inspiration for a large beach style open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Central Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Geelong with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Living Room Design Photos with Light Hardwood Floors and Dark Hardwood 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.