Design ideas for a large midcentury open concept living room in Kansas City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and vaulted.

Downland Barns

McLean Quinlan

Nestled into a hillside, this timber-framed family home enjoys uninterrupted views out across the countryside of the North Downs. A newly built property, it is an elegant fusion of traditional crafts and materials with contemporary design. Our clients had a vision for a modern sustainable house with practical yet beautiful interiors, a home with character that quietly celebrates the details. For example, where uniformity might have prevailed, over 1000 handmade pegs were used in the construction of the timber frame. The building consists of three interlinked structures enclosed by a flint wall. The house takes inspiration from the local vernacular, with flint, black timber, clay tiles and roof pitches referencing the historic buildings in the area. The structure was manufactured offsite using highly insulated preassembled panels sourced from sustainably managed forests. Once assembled onsite, walls were finished with natural clay plaster for a calming indoor living environment. Timber is a constant presence throughout the house. At the heart of the building is a green oak timber-framed barn that creates a warm and inviting hub that seamlessly connects the living, kitchen and ancillary spaces. Daylight filters through the intricate timber framework, softly illuminating the clay plaster walls. Along the south-facing wall floor-to-ceiling glass panels provide sweeping views of the landscape and open on to the terrace. A second barn-like volume staggered half a level below the main living area is home to additional living space, a study, gym and the bedrooms. The house was designed to be entirely off-grid for short periods if required, with the inclusion of Tesla powerpack batteries. Alongside underfloor heating throughout, a mechanical heat recovery system, LED lighting and home automation, the house is highly insulated, is zero VOC and plastic use was minimised on the project. Outside, a rainwater harvesting system irrigates the garden and fields and woodland below the house have been rewilded.

Salón con techo bóveda catalana

Sincro

This is an example of a large industrial open concept living room in Other with grey walls, porcelain floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor, vaulted and brick walls.

Bellevue Retreat

Reed Design Group

Inspiration for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, beige floor and vaulted.

Seattle Midcentury Addition and Remodel

H2D Architecture + Design

Design by: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com Built by: Carlisle Classic Homes Photos: Christopher Nelson Photography
Midcentury living room in Seattle with medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and vaulted.

2020 Fall Remodelers Showcase: Long Lake/Orono Midcentury Modern

Boyer Building Corporation

Mid century modern living room with open spaces, transom windows and waterfall, peninsula fireplace on far right;
Expansive midcentury open concept living room in Minneapolis with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Living Room

Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.

Stunning living room with vaulted ceiling adorned with pine beams. Hardscraped rift and quarter sawn white oak floors. Two-sided stained white brick fireplace with limestone hearth. Beautiful built-in custom cabinets by Ayr Cabinet Company. General contracting by Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.; Architecture by Helman Sechrist Architecture; Home Design by Maple & White Design; Photography by Marie Kinney Photography. Images are the property of Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. and may not be used without written permission. — with Hoosier Hardwood Floors, Quality Window & Door, Inc., JCS Fireplace, Inc. and J&N Stone, Inc..

Bridge House

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Vaulted living room with wood ceiling looks toward dining and bedroom hall - Bridge House - Fenneville, Michigan - Lake Michigan - HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles, Christopher Short, Indianapolis Architect, Marika Designs, Marika Klemm, Interior Designer - Tom Rigney, TR Builders

Extension | The Ponds

iBuild Group Pty Ltd

Design ideas for a large modern open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, vinyl floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

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.

Southmoor Lane Remodel

Design 5 Seventy-One

Design ideas for a large transitional formal open concept living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

The Glass House

Architest Pty Ltd

This is an example of a large modern open concept living room in Melbourne with concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and vaulted.

Bank Barn

Michael Greenberg & Associates

Photo of a country living room in New York with a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and vaulted.

Luxurious Summer Home

Amber Golob Interiors

Inspiration for a large beach style open concept living room in Milwaukee with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Ranch House Modern

Noz Design

Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and vaulted.

Modern Cabin in the Mountains

Wyrick Residential Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Houston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Classic Lake House

Glas Associates

This two-sided stone fireplace is a central gathering point for the great room and kitchen area. Photo by Ashley Avila Photography
Inspiration for a large beach style open concept living room in Grand Rapids with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and vaulted.

Puget Sound Mid-Century Living Room

Lucy Johnson Interior Design

Large drywall spaces provided background for any type of artwork or tv in this airy, open space. By cantilevering the stone slab we created extra seating while enhancing the horizontal nature of Mid-Centuries. A classic “Less Is More” design aesthetic.

Industrial Ranch House

Sarah Carr Design

Design ideas for an industrial open concept living room in Denver with a home bar, white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, vaulted and brick walls.

Rustic Living Room

Design ideas for an expansive country open concept living room in Other with a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv, exposed beam, vaulted, wood, yellow walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Living Room Design Photos with a Two-sided Fireplace and Vaulted

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.