Contemporary living room
Large transitional enclosed living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor and wallpaper.

Hood House

Mihaly Slocombe

Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Miller Point Apartment

Novari Interior Design

Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Woorarra House Living Room

Rptecture Architect

Within the lush acres of Chirnside Park, lies the Woorarra house overlooking the views of the surrounding hills and greenery. With a timeless yet contemporary design, the existing farmhouse was transformed into a spacious home featuring an open plan to allow breath taking views.

Collis, Brighton East

The Kitchen Design Centre

Design ideas for a contemporary living room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Ridgemont

Acadia Building Company

Inspiration for a large traditional formal open concept living room in Boise with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Great Room

Lauren Shadid Architecture + Interiors

Large country open concept living room in Denver with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

9th Street

Rethink Design Studio

Richard Leo Johnson Wall & Trim Color: Sherwin Williams - Extra White 7006 Chairs: CR Laine - Brooklyn Swivel Chair w/ Lenno-Indigo linen fabric Pillows: Schumacher, Miles Reed - Celadon Side Table: Farmhouse Pottery, Vermont Wood Stump - 18" White Coffee Table: Vintage Seagrass Rug & Runner: Design Materials Inc., Hilo w/ basket-weave linen trim in Mocha Ladder: Asher + Rye, TineKHome Throw Blanket: Asher + Rye, Distant Echo

Craftsman Manor Resurrection

Board & Vellum

Photograph by Travis Peterson.
Large transitional formal open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

McGee Home - Killowen Construction

Hearth and Home Distributors of Utah, LLC. (HHDU)

Warm family room with Fireplace focal point.
Large transitional open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

EGR Classic

Scott Christopher Homes

Photo of a large transitional formal open concept living room in Grand Rapids with white walls, a standard fireplace, light hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Classic Farmhouse

Madison Avenue Design & Home Styling

Large country open concept living room in Cedar Rapids with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and coffered.

Westlake Organic Modern

Christen Ales Interior Design

Merrick Ales brown area rugs, large artwork, Artwork & Prints, light wood floors, stone wall, recessed lighting, stonework,
Eclectic formal open concept living room in Austin with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Fontana Lake House

Altura Architects

The Fontana Bridge residence is a mountain modern lake home located in the mountains of Swain County. The LEED Gold home is mountain modern house designed to integrate harmoniously with the surrounding Appalachian mountain setting. The understated exterior and the thoughtfully chosen neutral palette blend into the topography of the wooded hillside.

Spanish Peaks House

BLUE RIBBON BUILDERS INC

With enormous rectangular beams and round log posts, the Spanish Peaks House is a spectacular study in contrasts. Even the exterior—with horizontal log slab siding and vertical wood paneling—mixes textures and styles beautifully. An outdoor rock fireplace, built-in stone grill and ample seating enable the owners to make the most of the mountain-top setting. Inside, the owners relied on Blue Ribbon Builders to capture the natural feel of the home’s surroundings. A massive boulder makes up the hearth in the great room, and provides ideal fireside seating. A custom-made stone replica of Lone Peak is the backsplash in a distinctive powder room; and a giant slab of granite adds the finishing touch to the home’s enviable wood, tile and granite kitchen. In the daylight basement, brushed concrete flooring adds both texture and durability. Roger Wade

Neutral Refresh

Monarch & Maker

We gave this home a contemporary update complete with gray cabinetry, white countertops, and light hardwood flooring.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Houston with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, brown floor, a stone fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Chelsea townhouse

Angel O'Donnell

We filled the living room of this Chelsea townhouse with bright pops of colour, bold patterns, soft textures, and a variety of materials to create a visually stimulating and irresistibly tactile space.

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.

Surrey project

Style the Clutter - Interiors by Leoma Harper

Inspiration for a traditional living room in Surrey with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

Great Room

Lauren Shadid Architecture + Interiors

This is an example of a large country open concept living room in Denver with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Living Room Design Photos with Light Hardwood Floors and Brown Floor

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.