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.

Lurline Bay House - Part 1

D'Cruz Design Group

Expansive contemporary formal open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

Cannon Valley Abode

Tempus Design Studio Pty Ltd

This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

WA, Giorgi

Housing Industry Association - HIA

Faultless is how the judges described this beautiful home. Masterfully constructed with a layout designed to maximise the northern light and shield the outdoor areas from the weather. This home radiated class and elegance with excellent ambience and aesthetic throughout.

187th and Quivira

Cornelius Homes, Inc.

Full view of living room area.
This is an example of a contemporary living room in Kansas City with medium hardwood floors and exposed beam.

Quail Call

Jennifer Taylor Design

A colorful, yet calming family room. The vaulted ceiling has painted beams and shiplap.
This is an example of a transitional living room in Other with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

Terrell Hills Mid Century Modern Project

Haven Design and Construction

The cantilevered living room of this incredible mid century modern home still features the original wood wall paneling and brick floors. We were so fortunate to have these amazing original features to work with. Our design team brought in a new modern light fixture, MCM furnishings, lamps and accessories. We utilized the client's existing rug and pulled our room's inspiration colors from it. Bright citron yellow accents add a punch of color to the room. The surrounding built-in bookcases are also original to the room.

Interior 1709

Alyssa Collins Design

Design ideas for a large traditional open concept living room in Oklahoma City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Queens Park

Todd Sutherland

This is an example of a contemporary living room in London with white walls, grey floor and exposed beam.

Princeton Ave

Round Table Design

This is an example of a transitional living room in Austin with beige walls, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

Rowayton, CT

Rich AV Design, LLC.

Photo of a beach style formal living room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted and panelled walls.

NOB HILL | Remodel + Styling

Designology Studio LLC

Photo of a transitional open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, exposed beam, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Living Room in Chelsea Apartment, New York NY

Arsight

Experience the tranquil allure of an upscale loft living room, a creation by Arsight, nestled within Chelsea, New York. The expansive, airy ambiance is accentuated by high ceilings and bordered by graceful sliding doors. A modern edge is introduced by a stark white palette, contrasted beautifully with carefully chosen furniture and powerful art. The space is grounded by the rich, unique texture of reclaimed flooring, embodying the essence of contemporary living room design, a blend of style, luxury, and comfort.

Mid-Century Modern Office Design

6th Ave Homes

This mid-century modern office remodel is the perfect blend of style and function. The deep green velvet couch is the centerpiece of the room, inviting employees and guests to sit down and collaborate. The rich green hue adds a touch of glamour while the velvet texture creates a cozy atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for informal meetings, brainstorming sessions or just taking a break.

Chevy Chase

Erika Jayne Design Build

Custom built-ins in ebonized white oak flank a gas stone fireplace with a tiled surround in our Modern Spanish Revival project.
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean enclosed living room in DC Metro with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and exposed beam.

For the Love of MCM

Sklar Studios

For a family of music lovers both in listening and skill - the formal living room provided the perfect spot for their grand piano. Outfitted with a custom Wren Silva console stereo, you can't help but to kick back in some of the most comfortable and rad swivel chairs you'll find.

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.

Contemporain Salon

Photo of a contemporary living room in Bordeaux with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, exposed beam and vaulted.

Durango

Jessica Koltun Home

Classic, timeless and ideally positioned on a sprawling corner lot set high above the street, discover this designer dream home by Jessica Koltun. The blend of traditional architecture and contemporary finishes evokes feelings of warmth while understated elegance remains constant throughout this Midway Hollow masterpiece unlike no other. This extraordinary home is at the pinnacle of prestige and lifestyle with a convenient address to all that Dallas has to offer.

The Ranch House in Almaden Valley

Carmit Oron Interior Design

Inspiration for a large country enclosed living room in San Francisco with a library, white walls, dark hardwood floors, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

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.