Large beach style enclosed living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a built-in media wall, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Living Room

Beth Howley Creative LLC

Large beach style open concept living room in Grand Rapids with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and exposed beam.

Custom Build- Young

Channel Marker Builders LLC

Photo of a large traditional open concept living room in Other with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a built-in media wall and exposed beam.

682 Riverstone - Calbridge Homes

Rochelle Cote Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Calgary with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and exposed beam.

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.

Serene Gatherings

Lowell Custom Homes

Volume two story ceiling features shiplap fireplace, open shelving and natural beamed ceiling.
Photo of a large transitional open concept living room in Milwaukee with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Blue Bungalow

Vereco Smart Green Homes Ltd

spacious great room adjoining the kitchen. Navy blue kitchen island and feature living room wall, chevron shiplap fireplace facade, floating wood shelving and wood beams create a timeless yet modern feel.

1219 Mohawk

3rd Street Custom Homes

Design ideas for a large modern open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

Clubhouses + Amenities

Masterpiece Design Group

A clubhouse geared toward the 55+ buyer that feels like an extension of their home
This is an example of a transitional open concept living room in Orlando with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and exposed beam.

Willhaven KC

Veritas Architecture + Design

Open floor plan living space with exposed beams and expansive folding doors out to deck.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Kansas City with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a built-in media wall and exposed beam.

Cliffside Farmhouse // Modern Farmhouse

Younger Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Austin with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Sharon Rd Custom

Solid Rock Builders

Vaulted living room with wood burning fireplace. Built-ins.
Photo of a mid-sized country living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Glen Ellen Whole Home Transformation

Leff Construction Design/Build

Mid-sized country open concept living room in San Francisco with beige walls, a standard fireplace, no tv, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Carter-B

Apex Design & Drafting

Bright & spacious living room, with ribbon fireplace, vaulted ceiling, exposed wood beams, and large windows
Inspiration for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, brown floor and exposed beam.

Edwards Residence

Geoff Chick & Associates

This is an example of a large beach style open concept living room in Other with white walls, painted wood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Quincy Lift

GLDESIGN

Inspiration for a large beach style open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

682 Riverstone - Calbridge Homes

Rochelle Cote Interior Design

Inspiration for a large transitional formal open concept living room in Calgary with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

1219 Mohawk

3rd Street Custom Homes

This is an example of a large modern open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

The Calhoun Sport

Werschay Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Minneapolis with light hardwood floors and exposed beam.

Magnolia - Touchdown Drive

Cypress Homes, Inc.

Inspiration for a large country open concept living room in Other with blue walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

Shiplap 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.