Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Chicago with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and timber.

Passeig de Gràcia - Barcelona

Jeanne Schultz Design Studio

Words by Wilson Hack The best architecture allows what has come before it to be seen and cared for while at the same time injecting something new, if not idealistic. Spartan at first glance, the interior of this stately apartment building, located on the iconic Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, quickly begins to unfold as a calculated series of textures, visual artifacts and perfected aesthetic continuities. The client, a globe-trotting entrepreneur, selected Jeanne Schultz Design Studio for the remodel and requested that the space be reconditioned into a purposeful and peaceful landing pad. It was to be furnished simply using natural and sustainable materials. Schultz began by gently peeling back before adding only the essentials, resulting in a harmoniously restorative living space where darkness and light coexist and comfort reigns. The design was initially guided by the fireplace—from there a subtle injection of matching color extends up into the thick tiered molding and ceiling trim. “The most reckless patterns live here,” remarks Schultz, referring to the checkered green and white tiles, pink-Pollack-y stone and cast iron detailing. The millwork and warm wood wall panels devour the remainder of the living room, eliminating the need for unnecessary artwork. A curved living room chair by Kave Home punctuates playfully; its shape reveals its pleasant conformity to the human body and sits back, inviting rest and respite. “It’s good for all body types and sizes,” explains Schultz. The single sofa by Dareels is purposefully oversized, casual and inviting. A beige cover was added to soften the otherwise rectilinear edges. Additionally sourced from Dareels, a small yet centrally located side table anchors the space with its dark black wood texture, its visual weight on par with the larger pieces. The black bulbous free standing lamp converses directly with the antique chandelier above. Composed of individual black leather strips, it is seemingly harsh—yet its soft form is reminiscent of a spring tulip. The continuation of the color palette slips softly into the dining room where velvety green chairs sit delicately on a cascade array of pointed legs. The doors that lead out to the patio were sanded down and treated so that the original shape and form could be retained. Although the same green paint was used throughout, this set of doors speaks in darker tones alongside the acute and penetrating daylight. A few different shades of white paint were used throughout the space to add additional depth and embellish this shadowy texture. Specialty lights were added into the space to complement the existing overhead lighting. A wall sconce was added in the living room and extra lighting was placed in the kitchen. However, because of the existing barrel vaulted tile ceiling, sconces were placed on the walls rather than above to avoid penetrating the existing architecture.

Kent Drawing Room

ALEX JORGENSEN STUDIO

This is an example of a large formal living room in Kent with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Atherton Residence

Lexie Saine Design

Large country formal open concept living room in San Francisco with black walls, light hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and vaulted.

Dublin Living Room Remodel

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

Formal living room with a stone surround fire place as the focal point. A golden chandelier hangs over the seating area.
Photo of a large transitional formal enclosed living room in Columbus with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

1200 Sqft 2 Bed/ 2.5 bath Cottage, Saugerties, NY

A. Bollman & Sons.

This custom cottage designed and built by Aaron Bollman is nestled in the Saugerties, NY. Situated in virgin forest at the foot of the Catskill mountains overlooking a babling brook, this hand crafted home both charms and relaxes the senses.

Rollingwood New Build

BANDD DESIGN

Our Austin studio gave this new build home a serene feel with earthy materials, cool blues, pops of color, and textural elements. --- Project designed by Sara Barney’s Austin interior design studio BANDD DESIGN. They serve the entire Austin area and its surrounding towns, with an emphasis on Round Rock, Lake Travis, West Lake Hills, and Tarrytown. For more about BANDD DESIGN, click here: https://bandddesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://bandddesign.com/natural-modern-new-build-austin-home/

Colourful Living Room in Georgian home, London

Gemma Dudgeon Interiors

Vintage leather sofa, bright blue walls and painted white wooden floorboards in this colourful eclectic style living room. See more of this project on my portfolio at: https://www.gemmadudgeon.com

Financiers Pied-à-Terre, Tribeca, NYC

Darci Hether New York

Our client for this project is a financier who has a beautiful home in the suburbs but wanted a second home in NYC as he spent 2-4 nights a week in the city. He wanted an upscale pied-à-terre that was soothing, moody, textural, comfortable, and contemporary while also being family-friendly as his college-age children might use it too. The apartment is a new build in Tribeca, and our New York City design studio loved working on this contemporary project. The entryway welcomes you with dark gray, deeply textured wallpaper and statement pieces like the angular mirror and black metal table that are an ode to industrial NYC style. The open kitchen and dining are sleek and flaunt statement metal lights, while the living room features textured contemporary furniture and a stylish bar cart. The bedroom is an oasis of calm and relaxation, with the textured wallpaper playing the design focal point. The luxury extends to the powder room with modern brass pendants, warm-toned natural stone, deep-toned walls, and organic-inspired artwork. --- Our interior design service area is all of New York City including the Upper East Side and Upper West Side, as well as the Hamptons, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, Rye, Rye City, Edgemont, Harrison, Bronxville, and Greenwich CT. For more about Darci Hether, click here: https://darcihether.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://darcihether.com/portfolio/financiers-pied-a-terre-tribeca-nyc/

Victorian Update

12/12 Architects & Planners

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Chicago with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, wallpaper and wallpaper.

Residential Portfolio

Federico Photography

Design ideas for a transitional enclosed living room in New York with a music area, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor, coffered and wallpaper.

Highlands Hideaway

HUDSON DESIGN Architecture & Construction Mgmt

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern open concept living room in New York with a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and no tv.

Boca Raton, FL

Susan Lachance Interior Design

Photo Credit: Brantley Photography
This is an example of a contemporary formal living room in Miami with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and recessed.

French Country Flip

JTID Inc.

One of two sitting areas opens onto the motor court and the manicured front lawn beyond.
Expansive formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Inside Out

SV Design

What began as a renovation project morphed into a new house, driven by the natural beauty of the site. The new structures are perfectly aligned with the coastline, and take full advantage of the views of ocean, islands, and shoals. The location is within walking distance of town and its amenities, yet miles away in the privacy it affords. The house is nestled on a nicely wooded lot, giving the residence screening from the street, with an open meadow leading to the ocean on the rear of the lot. The design concept was driven by the serenity of the site, enhanced by textures of trees, plantings, sand and shoreline. The newly constructed house sits quietly in a location advantageously positioned to take full advantage of natural light and solar orientations. The visual calm is enhanced by the natural material: stone, wood, and metal throughout the home. The main structures are comprised of traditional New England forms, with modern connectors serving to unify the structures. Each building is equally suited for single floor living, if that future needs is ever necessary. Unique too is an underground connection between main house and an outbuilding. With their flowing connections, no room is isolated or ignored; instead each reflects a different level of privacy and social interaction. Just as there are layers to the exterior in beach, field, forest and oceans, the inside has a layered approach. Textures in wood, stone, and neutral colors combine with the warmth of linens, wools, and metals. Personality and character of the interiors and its furnishings are tailored to the client’s lifestyle. Rooms are arranged and organized in an intersection of public and private spaces. The quiet palette within reflects the nature outside, enhanced with artwork and accessories.

1812 Justin

Birch & Brass

Contemporary formal open concept living room in Austin with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, no tv, grey floor and vaulted.

Chelsea House

Jo Cowen Architects

Photo of a large traditional enclosed living room in London with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, panelled walls, grey walls and brown floor.

The living room showing the new tile fireplace and the new windows.

Mark Brand Architecture

For our client, who had previous experience working with architects, we enlarged, completely gutted and remodeled this Twin Peaks diamond in the rough. The top floor had a rear-sloping ceiling that cut off the amazing view, so our first task was to raise the roof so the great room had a uniformly high ceiling. Clerestory windows bring in light from all directions. In addition, we removed walls, combined rooms, and installed floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding doors in sleek black aluminum at each floor to create generous rooms with expansive views. At the basement, we created a full-floor art studio flooded with light and with an en-suite bathroom for the artist-owner. New exterior decks, stairs and glass railings create outdoor living opportunities at three of the four levels. We designed modern open-riser stairs with glass railings to replace the existing cramped interior stairs. The kitchen features a 16 foot long island which also functions as a dining table. We designed a custom wall-to-wall bookcase in the family room as well as three sleek tiled fireplaces with integrated bookcases. The bathrooms are entirely new and feature floating vanities and a modern freestanding tub in the master. Clean detailing and luxurious, contemporary finishes complete the look.

Bayadere Newport Beach

William Guidero Planning and Design

Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Living Room with Fireplace | Transitional Remodel | Thousand Oaks, CA

Pure Builders Inc.

Desirable open concept floor plan, making it easy to access the kitchen from every room in this home. The fireplace has a shiplap wall with built in cabinetry.

Living Room Design Photos with 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.