Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Portland with a home bar, grey walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and vaulted.

Richmond family home

Forbes Rix Design

Photo of a contemporary living room in London with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and vaulted.

Mandeville Canyon

Martin Construction Company

Design ideas for a transitional formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor and vaulted.

By the Brooke

LIFE HOME DESIGN

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in Toronto with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Gray's Crossing, Mountain Modern, Golf Course Home

In House Builders

Photo of a contemporary living room in Sacramento with white walls, grey floor and vaulted.

Lake Michigan Modern

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Photo of a contemporary formal open concept living room in Grand Rapids with no tv, a standard fireplace, vaulted, multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wood walls.

Olive Mill

Becker Studios

Country living room in Santa Barbara with vaulted.

Contemporary Ranch Reno

12/12 Architects & Planners

This family of 5 was quickly out-growing their 1,220sf ranch home on a beautiful corner lot. Rather than adding a 2nd floor, the decision was made to extend the existing ranch plan into the back yard, adding a new 2-car garage below the new space - for a new total of 2,520sf. With a previous addition of a 1-car garage and a small kitchen removed, a large addition was added for Master Bedroom Suite, a 4th bedroom, hall bath, and a completely remodeled living, dining and new Kitchen, open to large new Family Room. The new lower level includes the new Garage and Mudroom. The existing fireplace and chimney remain - with beautifully exposed brick. The homeowners love contemporary design, and finished the home with a gorgeous mix of color, pattern and materials. The project was completed in 2011. Unfortunately, 2 years later, they suffered a massive house fire. The house was then rebuilt again, using the same plans and finishes as the original build, adding only a secondary laundry closet on the main level.

Living Room Fireplace

Christie Architecture LLC

Inspiration for a large modern formal open concept living room in Portland with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and vaulted.

French Provincial Custom Home North Scottsdale

DLB Custom Homes, Inc

This is an example of an open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

Quail Ridge

CRC Builders Inc.

Country open concept living room in San Francisco with exposed beam, vaulted, wood and wood walls.

Grain & Saw Ballentine

Hallmark Floors

Ballentine Oak – The Grain & Saw Hardwood Collection was designed with juxtaposing striking characteristics of hand tooled saw marks and enhanced natural grain allowing the ebbs and flows of the wood species to be at the forefront.

Sun Valley Modern Custom Build

Mountainwood Construction

Gorgeous living room with inviting stone fireplace, picture television and unparalleled views. Eleven foot tall triple panel sliding La Cantina door provides amazing connection to the patio and mountain air.

Coastal -NC

Interior Designer

Large beach style open concept living room in Wilmington with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

BLUE DREAM - Contemporary Coastal Staging in Stamford

BA Staging & Interiors

This beautiful 5,000 square foot contemporary home features 4 bedrooms and 3+ bathrooms. Shades of blue, neutrals and coastal accessories were used in the staging to emphasize the existing décor in this sun-filled abode.

Bed and breakfast à la campagne - Salon

Eraya Creation

Séjour aux teintes très claires qui favorisent une mise en avant du mobilier
This is an example of a small arts and crafts formal enclosed living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a concealed tv, brown floor and vaulted.

White Rock - Complete Interior

Mavish Homes Inc

This is an example of a large modern open concept living room in Vancouver with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a corner tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Garden Room Project

Skollop Design

Feature lighting, new cord sofa, paint and rug to re energise this garden room
Mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Other with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a tile fireplace surround, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

French Remodel

Pillar & Perch: Architects + Builders

Cast-stone fireplace surround and chimney with built in wood and tv center.
Design ideas for a large open concept living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor and vaulted.

Novo Interiors Modern Farm House

NOVO Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized country open concept living room in San Diego with a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, beige floor and vaulted.

Living Room Design Photos with 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.