Transitional living room in Sydney with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Photo of a transitional living room in Moscow with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

San Antonio, Texas | Gruenefield - Classic Tulane Living Room

Brightland Homes

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and panelled walls.

Modern Minimalistic Living Room

Deni + Dove Interiors

This is an example of a modern living room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround and panelled walls.

Hulls House

Create Perfect

Photo of a mid-sized country formal enclosed living room in Gloucestershire with green walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

Atherton Living Room

Lauren Nelson Design

Transitional living room in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, panelled walls and decorative wall panelling.

Remodel

Stephen Sugg Photography and Video

Inspiration for a transitional living room in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Riverside Drive II

Fink & Platt Architects

Inspiration for a transitional formal enclosed living room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

Knightsbridge Development

Tracy Holliday Interiors

This is an example of a contemporary living room in London with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Reception Room & Dining Room

Emma Tutill Ltd

This is an example of a large traditional formal enclosed living room in Essex with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

Dollarton Traditional Home

Simply Home Decorating

This active couple with three adult boys loves to travel and visit family throughout Western Canada. They hired us for a main floor renovation that would transform their home, making it more functional, conducive to entertaining, and reflective of their interests. In the kitchen, we chose to keep the layout and update the cabinetry and surface finishes to revive the look. To accommodate large gatherings, we created an in-kitchen dining area, updated the living and dining room, and expanded the family room, as well. In each of these spaces, we incorporated durable custom furnishings, architectural details, and unique accessories that reflect this well-traveled couple’s inspiring story.

Essex Country Home

Sara Slade Interiors

Design ideas for a modern living room in Essex with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and panelled walls.

LXG | Contemporary Art-Deco Grade II. APARTMENTS

misch_MISCH studio

LONDON_LENNOX GARDENS SW1
Inspiration for a large transitional formal enclosed living room in London with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, panelled walls, a concealed tv and a stone fireplace surround.

Renovation of a Period Property

Rimma Monk ID

Large traditional enclosed living room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor and panelled walls.

Mid-Mod Home Design

Jenna Morley Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Sacramento with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

Dashing Duplex | Full renovation in Kensington, London, W8

Jemimah Barnett

Wall colour: Slaked Lime Mid #149 by Little Greene | Ceilings in Loft White #222 by Little Greene | Chandelier is the double Bernardi in bronze, by Eichholtz | Rug and club chairs from Eichholtz | Morton Sofa in Hunstman Natural, from Andrew Martin | Breuer coffee tables, from Andrew Martin | Artenis modular sofa in Astrid Moss, from Barker & Stonehouse | Custom fireplace by AC Stone & Ceramic using Calacatta Viola marble

1920's Colonial

Rosen Kelly Conway Architecture & Design

Interior Design: Rosen Kelly Conway Architecture & Design Architecture: Rosen Kelly Conway Architecture & Design Contractor: R. Keller Construction, Co. Custom Cabinetry: Custom Creations Marble: Atlas Marble Art & Venetian Plaster: Alternative Interiors Tile: Virtue Tile Design Fixtures: WaterWorks Photographer: Mike Van Tassell

LA NOVE

User

This is an example of a large modern open concept living room in Other with white walls, brown floor, dark hardwood floors, wood and panelled walls.

Beauitiful Full Home Renovation with Monochrome finish

Alchemy Build

Design ideas for a transitional living room in London with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Restyling Apartment 50 mq, Corso Buenos Aires - Milano

Chiocca Design

Design ideas for a small modern formal open concept living room in Milan with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

Living Room Design Photos with Dark Hardwood Floors and Panelled Walls

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.