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

Australian Minimalist Ground-Up

Cathie Hong Interiors

This Australian-inspired new construction was a successful collaboration between homeowner, architect, designer and builder. The home features a Henrybuilt kitchen, butler's pantry, private home office, guest suite, master suite, entry foyer with concealed entrances to the powder bathroom and coat closet, hidden play loft, and full front and back landscaping with swimming pool and pool house/ADU.

Montorgueil

Agence Glenn Medioni

Design ideas for a contemporary living room in Paris with white walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding tv and exposed beam.

All Electric Conversion

Tali Hardonag Architect

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury living room in San Francisco with grey walls, laminate floors, a built-in media wall, brown floor and exposed beam.

Transitional Living Room

This is an example of a transitional open concept living room in Denver with white walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and exposed beam.

Converted Barn Remodel

Ivywell Interiors | Bristol

Nested in the beautiful Cotswolds, this converted barn was in need of a redesign and modernisation to maintain its country style yet bring a contemporary twist. We specified a new mezzanine, complete with a glass and steel balustrade. We kept the decor traditional with a neutral scheme to complement the sand colour of the stones.

Time for Terracotta

Malinda OHara Interiors

Photo of a large country formal open concept living room in Kansas City with white walls, terra-cotta floors, a two-sided fireplace, a built-in media wall, multi-coloured floor, exposed beam and decorative wall panelling.

I COLORI DEL LAGO

ADI ARREDAMENTO DECORAZIONE D'INTERNI

Al pavimento in cotto è stata ridata nuova luce e le porte sono state rivisitate con nuovi colori e inserti cromati. Pareti verde salvia, così come la cucina, e toni più neutri per per gli arredi tessili. L'utilizzo di tendaggi in lino si inserisce armoniosamente in questa ricerca di freschezza.

Copake Staging 2022

Bespoke Decor

Two-story Tudor-influenced living room with exposed beams, fireplace and second floor landing balcony, staged for sale.
Photo of a large transitional formal living room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor and exposed beam.

Mid Century Modern Living Room

My Bespoke Room

Design ideas for a contemporary living room in London with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a freestanding tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Casa Manana House in Las Campanas

Pink Dwelling

Inspiration for a mid-sized open concept living room in Other with white walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Aménagement d'intérieur d'un Studio parisien 18m2

ERA architecture

Inspiration for a small modern open concept living room in Paris with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Salon avec cheminée ancienne

Nathalie Odiot Architecture d'Intérieur

Inspiration for a large mediterranean living room with concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Copper Mountain Residence

PLAAD

Large country open concept living room in Other with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Hilltop Spanish Mediterranean Home

Allen Construction

Beautiful Spanish tile details are present in almost every room of the home creating a unifying theme and warm atmosphere. Wood beamed ceilings converge between the living room, dining room, and kitchen to create an open great room. Arched windows and large sliding doors frame the amazing views of the ocean. Architect: Beving Architecture Photographs: Jim Bartsch Photographer

Downeast Barn House

Albert, Righter & Tittmann Architects, Inc.

A summer house built around salvaged barn beams. Not far from the beach, the secluded site faces south to the ocean and views. The large main barn room embraces the main living spaces, including the kitchen. The barn room is anchored on the north with a stone fireplace and on the south with a large bay window. The wing to the east organizes the entry hall and sleeping rooms.

John and Shannon

B Designs Interior's

When Shannon initially contacted me, she was a tad nervous. When had been referred to me but i think a little intimidated none the less. The goal was to update the Living room.

VILLA DEBORA INTERNI

JFD - Juri Favilli Design

This is an example of an expansive country open concept living room in Milan with a library, a two-sided fireplace, exposed beam, vaulted, panelled walls, grey walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Ingresso

MATTEO MARTINI ARCHITETTO

La stanza principale, che costituisce anche l'ingresso, è il soggiorno. Un unico ambiente con divano letto con chaise longue verso la porta-finestra e con angolo pranzo-relax verso la cucina.

Cohen’s Family room!

The Home Experience by Malika

Design ideas for a traditional open concept living room in Raleigh with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a built-in media wall, beige floor and exposed beam.

Living Room Design Photos with 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.