Design ideas for a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

ALICE RIVER HOUSE PROJECT

Splendid Home Design

Photo of a large beach style open concept living room in Miami with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a built-in media wall, brown floor and recessed.

Red Hill House

Bella Vie Interiors

This classic Queenslander home in Red Hill, was a major renovation and therefore an opportunity to meet the family’s needs. With three active children, this family required a space that was as functional as it was beautiful, not forgetting the importance of it feeling inviting. The resulting home references the classic Queenslander in combination with a refined mix of modern Hampton elements.

Mountain Modern

CT Design

This living room was part of a larger main floor remodel that included the kitchen, dining room, entryway, and stair. The existing wood burning fireplace and moss rock was removed and replaced with rustic black stained paneling, a gas corner fireplace, and a soapstone hearth. New beams were added.

Transitional living room

Showhomes Houston

Transitional open concept living room with blue and gold finishes.
Photo of an expansive transitional open concept living room in Houston with dark hardwood floors and coffered.

Bliss by the Sea

Coastal Signature Homes

This is an example of a large beach style living room in Charleston with dark hardwood floors and a wall-mounted tv.

Serenity place

Rose & Lily Interiors

Mid-sized transitional formal living room in Atlanta with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Governors Drive- Kiawah

Cinder Creek Construction

Photography: Patrick Brickman
This is an example of a large transitional open concept living room in Charleston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and coffered.

Refresh Refined

Great Northern Builders, LLC.

Design ideas for a traditional open concept living room in Minneapolis with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Sunnyside Cres | Fireplace Wall

Niko's Contracting Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style formal enclosed living room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

North Fitzroy Period Renovation

Architest Pty Ltd

An open plan living space maintains is privacy and intimacy with a feature fireplace and reading nook either side. Custom wall paper lines the back of the joinery and adds a depth and drama to the space.

The Auburndale Project

Galarde Interiors LLC

Photo of a traditional open concept living room in Charlotte with dark hardwood floors, brown floor and vaulted.

Fireplace at Laurie Darlin dr

Premium Residential Remodeling

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern formal enclosed living room in Houston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and brown floor.

Serenity place

Rose & Lily Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal living room in Atlanta with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Deroche Farmhome

Lacey Construction Ltd.

photo by Brice Ferre
Photo of a large country open concept living room in Vancouver with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and wood.

Fun and Colorful in San Jose

Carmit Oron Interior Design

Photo of a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Artisan Park: 835 Artisan Parkway

Bentley Construction LLC

Inspiration for a transitional open concept living room in Louisville with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Bliss by the Sea

Coastal Signature Homes

Large beach style living room in Charleston with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and a wall-mounted tv.

ALICE RIVER HOUSE PROJECT

Splendid Home Design

Large beach style open concept living room in Miami with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a built-in media wall, brown floor and recessed.

Chalet de montagne en Vanoise : salon cheminée style bois

Laurent FABRY photographe Studio ARLY PHOTOGRAPHY

salon cheminée dans un chalet de montagne en Vanoise
Inspiration for a large country formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding tv, brown floor, wood and wood walls.

Shiplap Living Room Design Photos with 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.