Previously used as an office, this space had an awkwardly placed window to the left of the fireplace. By removing the window and building a bookcase to match the existing, the room feels balanced and symmetrical. Panel molding was added (by the homeowner!) and the walls were lacquered a deep navy. Bold modern green lounge chairs and a trio of crystal pendants make this cozy lounge next level. A console with upholstered ottomans keeps cocktails at the ready while adding two additional seats. Cornflower blue drapery frame the french doors and layer another shade of blue. Silk floral pillows have a handpainted quality to them and establish the palette. Hanging the birch tree pieces from chain add a layer of drama to the room.

VILLA DEBORA INTERNI

JFD - Juri Favilli Design

This is an example of an expansive country open concept living room in Milan with a library, a two-sided fireplace, exposed beam, vaulted, panelled walls, grey walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Color Blocking

Ann Lowengart Interiors

We juxtaposed bold colors and contemporary furnishings with the early twentieth-century interior architecture for this four-level Pacific Heights Edwardian. The home's showpiece is the living room, where the walls received a rich coat of blackened teal blue paint with a high gloss finish, while the high ceiling is painted off-white with violet undertones. Against this dramatic backdrop, we placed a streamlined sofa upholstered in an opulent navy velour and companioned it with a pair of modern lounge chairs covered in raspberry mohair. An artisanal wool and silk rug in indigo, wine, and smoke ties the space together.

Parsons Green

Samantha Watkins McRae

Mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, beige floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Bespoke radiator unit

Harwood Contracts

Small living room in Hertfordshire with blue walls, a built-in media wall, brown floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

One Kensington Gardens

Squadra Architects

This high-end fit out offers bespoke designs for every component. Custom made fireplace fitted within TV feature wall; display cabinet designed & produced by Squadra. Large format book-matching stones were imported from Italy to finish TV feature-wall.

Californian Mid-Century House

Oneshot Design

This is an example of a large midcentury formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a concealed tv, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Pinecrest Home Remodel Japandi Style

Janet Patterson Interior Design (JPID)

Open floor plan formal living room with modern fireplace.
Large modern formal open concept living room in Miami with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, beige floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

New build home infused with personality and style

My Bespoke Room

This living-dining room perfectly mixes the personalities of the two homeowners. The emerald green sofa and panelling give a traditional feel while the other homeowner loves the more modern elements such as the artwork, shelving and mounted TV making the layout work so they can watch TV from the dining table or the sofa with ease.

Modern Northwoods Residence Great Room at Night

Amy Carman Design

After watching sunset over the lake, retreat indoors to the warm, modern gathering space in our Modern Northwoods Cabin project.
Large contemporary open concept living room in Other with black walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv, brown floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Mapleton

Harper & Company, Inc.

Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a concealed tv, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Lauren Kay Sims Lakehouse - Living Room

Urbanology Designs

Traditional modern living room, with a wall of windows looking out on a lake. A wood panel wall with an ornate fireplace, fresh greenery, and modern furnishings. An expansive, deep, cozy sectional makes for ultimate relaxation. Uber long wood bench for additional seating.

SONIA SUDAN Interiors - Project Gamble

Sonia Sudan Interiors

Family Room
This is an example of a large transitional living room in Toronto with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor and panelled walls.

The Soft Light Apartment

Azari Architects

Small living room space at the Condo Apartment
This is an example of a small modern formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, laminate floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

SE18

WDA Interiors

Formal yet cosy Living Area for relaxing and entertaining guests.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in London with white walls, carpet, no fireplace, a built-in media wall, grey floor and panelled walls.

Music Room, Bespoke Cabinetry

Studio Percale

Widened opening into traditional middle room of a Victorian home, bespoke stained glass doors were made by local artisans, installed new fire surround, hearth & wood burner. Bespoke bookcases and mini bar were created to bring function to the once unused space. The taller wall cabinets feature bespoke brass mesh inlay which house the owners high specification stereo equipment with extensive music collection stored below. New solid oak parquet flooring. Installed new traditional cornice and ceiling rose to finish the room. Viola calacatta marble with bullnose edge profile sits atop home bar with built in wine fridge.

Kensington

Bare Space

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

Ventura Collection | Marina Oak | Granada Hills, CA

Hallmark Floors

This eclectic Spanish inspired home design with Scandinavian inspired decor features Hallmark Floors' Marina Oak from the Ventura Collection. Design and photo credit: Working Holiday Spaces + Working Holiday Studio

House

Trakya 3D

This house was built in Europe for a client passionate about concrete and wood. The house has an area of 165sqm a warm family environment worked in modern style. The family-style house contains Living Room, Kitchen with Dining table, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Toilet, and Utility.

Somerset Residence

KYLE CHAN ARCHITECT

This is an example of an expansive country formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, a wall-mounted tv, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Living Room Design Photos with Panelled Walls

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.