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.

Hardwood Flooring

Robinson's Flooring

Photo of a large transitional formal enclosed living room in Phoenix with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

Ross House

Dotter & Solfjeld Architecture + Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in San Francisco with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, grey floor and brown walls.

Vinyl Plank

Yates Flooring Center

Inspiration for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Austin with brown walls, vinyl floors, no fireplace and no tv.

Contemporary Living Room

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary formal open concept living room in San Francisco with brown walls, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv, grey floor, wood and wood walls.

Country Retreat

Keith Allen-Custom Builder

Design ideas for a country formal open concept living room in Other with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Mendota Design Gallery

Susi Builders Supply Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in Other with brown walls, ceramic floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Heatilator Design Gallery

CR Gas Logs & Fireplaces

Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Boston with a library, brown walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Utopia Bay

Emcon, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Minneapolis with brown walls, laminate floors, no tv and brown floor.

Awesome Contemporary Home with glass walls in Los Angeles

Style My Space Interior Design and Staging

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, no tv and beige floor.

Deer Mountain Lodge

Iliana Moore Interiors / Columbine Antiques

Photo of a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in Boston with a library, brown walls, medium hardwood floors and no tv.

Summit - Hillsborough

HOME Stagers, Inc.

Inspiration for a large traditional formal open concept living room in San Francisco with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown walls, no tv and brown floor.

Hilltop House

Don Stuart Architect Inc

Ema Peters
This is an example of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Vancouver with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

The Luxe Livingroom

eurofurniture

The ultimate in glamorous seating, the Luxe makes a sophisticated statement that brings back Deco, the divine Dorothy Draper and 1930’s classic fashion. Designed to encompass all of the above, this sofa exudes style, with biscuit-tufted cushions that feature buttons on the back, seat and inner arms. Designed by John Charles Designs, the piece also boasts a firm supportive seat for nestling happily into the low shelter sofa frame. The sofa is also available in extra long, a boon for the right room.

Miami-Living Room

Michael Abrams Interiors

Contemporary living room in Miami with brown walls and no tv.

Living room with fireplace and ceiling mural

KuDa Photography

Helfrich and Brightwell Residence. Photo by KuDa Photography.
This is an example of an eclectic living room in Portland with brown walls, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Heatilator Design Gallery

CR Gas Logs & Fireplaces

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Boston with a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, brown walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Maine Cottage

Leslie Saul & Associates

Lake house living room. Custom couch design to take advantage of the views. Trent Bell Photography. Peter Thibeault custom sofa. Partners in Design for upholstery

905 Parkland Circle NE Home Staging Photos

MAP Consultants, LLC

Brandon Banes, 360StyleTours.com
Small open concept living room in Albuquerque with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Norwood

Sarah Stacey Interior Design

Interior Design by Sarah Stacey Interior Design, Photography by Erin Williamson, Art by Elisa Gomez
Inspiration for a midcentury living room in Austin with a library, brown walls, linoleum floors, no fireplace and no tv.

Living Room Design Photos with Brown Walls and No TV

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.