Design ideas for a large modern open concept living room in Tokyo with a library, white walls, plywood floors, no fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

高の原の家

株式会社平野玲以建築設計事務所

中庭に面する大開口カーテンウォールが中庭の空間を取り込みリビングと一体化する。撮影：小川重雄
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in Kyoto with white walls, plywood floors, a freestanding tv, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

引戸の家

鈴木将記建築設計事務所

築18年のマンション住戸を改修し、寝室と廊下の間に10枚の連続引戸を挿入した。引戸は周辺環境との繋がり方の調整弁となり、廊下まで自然採光したり、子供の成長や気分に応じた使い方ができる。また、リビングにはガラス引戸で在宅ワークスペースを設置し、家族の様子を見守りながら引戸の開閉で音の繋がり方を調節できる。限られた空間でも、そこで過ごす人々が様々な距離感を選択できる、繋がりつつ離れられる家である。（写真撮影：Forward Stroke Inc.）

ウォールナット色基調のクールモダンな家

株式会社フジサワ建設

This is an example of a mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in Other with black walls, plywood floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, wallpaper and planked wall panelling.

Home Renovation and Extension

LC Property Services

Design ideas for a mid-sized formal living room in London with white walls, plywood floors, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

塩浜のリノベーション

note architects

Design ideas for a small asian open concept living room in Tokyo with a home bar, white walls, plywood floors, no fireplace, no tv, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

sea lodge Akkeshi

くりえいと創

Small country formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, plywood floors, a wood stove, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

01_gumyoji2630.jpg

株式会社アトリエハレトケ一級建築士事務所

This is an example of a loft-style living room with white walls, plywood floors, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

登美ケ丘の住宅

荒谷省午建築研究所／SAA+A

薪ストーブを囲むように設けられた階段。少しずつスキップしていくことで各フロアが繋がります。 photo : Shigeo Ogawa
This is an example of a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Other with a library, white walls, plywood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, brown floor, wood and planked wall panelling.

阿佐ヶ谷の家

栄澂建築/エイスケンチク/ACETECTURE

Mid-sized modern living room in Tokyo with white walls, plywood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding tv, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

住宅密集地でも伸びやかに暮らす家

池田久司建築設計事務所

ソファやラグで寛ぐリビングの天井は低く、船底天井と呼ばれる形にしました。 Photo by Nao Takahashi
Photo of a small asian open concept living room in Other with white walls, plywood floors, no fireplace, beige floor, wood and planked wall panelling.

大阪市マンションY邸

NOBUKO FURUICHI INTERIORS株式会社

Photo of a mid-sized eclectic open concept living room in Osaka with grey walls, plywood floors, no tv, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

Photo of an industrial living room in Tokyo with beige walls, plywood floors, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

つつじヶ丘の家

MDS一級建築士事務所

Design ideas for a small asian enclosed living room in Tokyo Suburbs with brown walls, plywood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding tv, beige floor, wood and planked wall panelling.

「E+」各階をつなぐ吹き抜けと通し家族の気配を感じながら暮らす

アキアーキデザイン一級建築士事務所

Photo of a large modern formal open concept living room in Tokyo with white walls, plywood floors, beige floor, timber, planked wall panelling, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

YAMAGUCHICHO　HOUSE

SLOW

Inspiration for a small scandinavian open concept living room in Nagoya with white walls, plywood floors, no fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, white floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

04_gumyoji2815.jpg

株式会社アトリエハレトケ一級建築士事務所

Inspiration for a loft-style living room with plywood floors, exposed beam, white walls and planked wall panelling.

のがたのいえ　―　2 つの路地に開かれた庭と土間

一級建築士事務所ｉｋｍｏ

こあがりから吹抜け、ダイニングを見る写真：西川公朗
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Tokyo with white walls, plywood floors, no tv, white floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

高の原の家

株式会社平野玲以建築設計事務所

中庭に面する大開口カーテンウォールが中庭の空間を取り込みリビングと一体化する。撮影：小川重雄
Photo of a contemporary open concept living room in Kyoto with white walls, plywood floors, a freestanding tv, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

Living Room Design Photos with Plywood Floors and Planked Wall Panelling

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.