Photo of a large transitional open concept living room in Toronto with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Contemporary cottage snug

Design Penguin Ltd

Design Penguin completely remodelled the sitting room in this Cornish cottage to turn it into a contemporary cinema room. Dark Farrow and Ball Brinjal walls, rich velvet Loaf sofa and gold wall lights add drama, with reclaimed letters from a local branch of Woolies, Romo fabric custom fit blinds and the client's own contemporary objects.

Flooring Job - Coquitlam, BC

Dobie Pro Painting

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Vancouver with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Hand sewn cowhide rug

Dominion Rug & Home

Large transitional formal enclosed living room in Toronto with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and no tv.

Tioga Drive Home Build

Supple Homes, Inc

This is an example of a transitional open concept living room in San Francisco with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

NOMAD LOFT

Frank Pizzurro Architects PC

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in New York with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding tv and brown floor.

Violetter Marmorputz im Wohnbereich

EINWANDFREI o HG

Durch die farbige Gestaltung des großzügigen Durchganges und der Kopfwand im Esszimmer mit unserem natürlichen Marmorputz, der Vulkangestein und Metallglimmer beinhaltet, haben wir eine optische Verbindung des Wohn- und Essbereiches geschaffen. Der mittlere Anthrazitfarbton des Mineralputzes, die schwarzgraue Schiefer-Riemchenwand und die überwiegend in Schwarz/Weiß gehaltene Einrichtung, verbindet gekonnt das Wohnzimmer mit dem Esszimmer. Auf der Kopfwand im Esszimmer haben wir, in Anlehnung an die Designerstühle, eine Tapete mit florale Prägung gewählt. Diese wurde mit einer weißen Kalklasur veredelt. Die Edelstahl-Leuchten und -Accessoires runden das Erscheinungsbild ab und strahlen eine coole Eleganz aus. Fotografie: Markus Bollen

Warm Eclectic

Earth Clay Works. American Clay

Design ideas for a large enclosed living room in Denver with a library, purple walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and grey floor.

Transitional Home in Boerne, TX

MAS Designs

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Austin with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Sedgemoor Residence

Tabberson Architects

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in Indianapolis with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a freestanding tv.

Living Rooms and Lounges

Sarah Henderson Interiors

Jenna Bos
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Toronto with purple walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Purple Floral Patterned Roller Window Blinds

Baileys Blinds Ltd

Baileys supply made to measure roller blind using Dutton & Gavin Textiles' fabric with purple floral pattern on white background.
Mid-sized contemporary living room in Other with a library, purple walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and no tv.

Oakville Addition #2

Kingsgate Construction Ltd.

Design ideas for a large transitional open concept living room in Toronto with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Custom Shades

Specialty drapery

Dual Snowdrop
This is an example of a large contemporary enclosed living room in Richmond with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Staging2Sell Queensway 1

Staging2Sell

Anthony Rego
This is an example of a small modern formal open concept living room in Toronto with purple walls and dark hardwood floors.

Квартира на Набережной

Компания "А-Дизайн"

Photo of a mid-sized traditional living room in Moscow with purple walls, dark hardwood floors and a wall-mounted tv.

Central Park West Unpack

Tori the Organizer

Mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in New York with a library, purple walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Chatham #64

Mijack Homebuilders

Mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in San Diego with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Contemporary Baltimore Loft

Margo Downing Interiors

Inspiration for a large contemporary loft-style living room in Baltimore with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Oakville Addition #2

Kingsgate Construction Ltd.

This is an example of a large transitional open concept living room in Toronto with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Living Room Design Photos with Purple Walls and Dark Hardwood Floors

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.