Sofa, chairs, Ottoman- ABODE Half Moon Bay
Design ideas for a country living room in San Francisco with grey walls, light hardwood floors, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Spacious Modern Ranch

A la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

Country open concept living room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

Downland Barns

McLean Quinlan

Nestled into a hillside, this timber-framed family home enjoys uninterrupted views out across the countryside of the North Downs. A newly built property, it is an elegant fusion of traditional crafts and materials with contemporary design. Our clients had a vision for a modern sustainable house with practical yet beautiful interiors, a home with character that quietly celebrates the details. For example, where uniformity might have prevailed, over 1000 handmade pegs were used in the construction of the timber frame. The building consists of three interlinked structures enclosed by a flint wall. The house takes inspiration from the local vernacular, with flint, black timber, clay tiles and roof pitches referencing the historic buildings in the area. The structure was manufactured offsite using highly insulated preassembled panels sourced from sustainably managed forests. Once assembled onsite, walls were finished with natural clay plaster for a calming indoor living environment. Timber is a constant presence throughout the house. At the heart of the building is a green oak timber-framed barn that creates a warm and inviting hub that seamlessly connects the living, kitchen and ancillary spaces. Daylight filters through the intricate timber framework, softly illuminating the clay plaster walls. Along the south-facing wall floor-to-ceiling glass panels provide sweeping views of the landscape and open on to the terrace. A second barn-like volume staggered half a level below the main living area is home to additional living space, a study, gym and the bedrooms. The house was designed to be entirely off-grid for short periods if required, with the inclusion of Tesla powerpack batteries. Alongside underfloor heating throughout, a mechanical heat recovery system, LED lighting and home automation, the house is highly insulated, is zero VOC and plastic use was minimised on the project. Outside, a rainwater harvesting system irrigates the garden and fields and woodland below the house have been rewilded.

Reforma "Aribau"

Sincro

Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Barcelona with grey walls, porcelain floors, no fireplace, a freestanding tv, grey floor, exposed beam and brick walls.

Living room

Oakwrights

Photo of a country living room in West Midlands with grey walls, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, beige floor and exposed beam.

Transitional Living Room Remodel with Four-Panel Sliding Doors

Gayler Design Build

The living room was completely renovated and enlarged 150 square feet by pushing out a rear wall. The ceiling was raised and vaulted, which naturally draws the eye upward and creates a sense of volume and spaciousness. New, larger windows as well as 12’ x 6’8” four-panel sliding glass doors aid in letting in more natural light, creating an inviting living space to entertain and gather with family and friends.

Open space

Fab N' Frugal Designs

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Other with a home bar, grey walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Bachelor Gulch mountain home

Basso Interiors Inc

Sophisticated living area to enjoy the Colorado views. Benjamin Moore Pashmina allowed us to keep the existing wood trim and update it to a fresh new look. A mix of the client's existing wood and leather accent pieces are together with a more modern chaise.

Art Barn

ORA Inc

This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a concealed tv, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Seven Bridges

BEM Custom Builders

Photo of a contemporary living room in Miami with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in media wall, beige floor and exposed beam.

Harbor View

Kennedy Cole Interior Design

Large transitional open concept living room in Orange County with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

French Country Living Room

Michelle McKoy Designs

This French Country living room has all of the makings of a comfortable yet elegant space. The moment you enter the room you notice the large windows and the soaring ceilings. The exposed beams and large round chandelier definitely grab your attention. The trim, bookcases, armoire and walls are all painted the same color to give it a serene feel.

Hearthroom

Starr Homes

Country open concept living room in Kansas City with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

A new family home

Guenther Designs & Consulting LLC

Another view of the great room overlooking the dining and kitchen area.
Photo of a mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Lake Minnetonka Home

O’Hara Interiors

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | City Homes, Builder | Alexander Design Group, Architect | Spacecrafting, Photography Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Midcentury Lake House

Dupont Blouin Architectes

Inspiration for a midcentury open concept living room in Montreal with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, grey floor, exposed beam and wood.

Modern Farmhouse

Brad Ramsey Interiors

This is an example of a large open concept living room in Nashville with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

Wings Neck Residence

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee Photography
Inspiration for a large beach style enclosed living room in Boston with a music area, grey walls, carpet, no tv, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Columbine Circle Residence

LaBella Associates, PC

Inspiration for a transitional living room in Charlotte with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, brown floor, exposed beam, wood and wood walls.

Harmony Club Modern Farmhouse

restyle design, llc

We went for an elevated casual vibe in this open concept living room. Casual sofas from Moss Studio, an oversized coffee table from Uttermost, swivel chairs and poufs from Bernhardt and draperies in Pindler fabric. All in soft neutrals with touches of blue.

Living Room Design Photos with Grey Walls and Exposed Beam

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.