Large contemporary open concept living room in Adelaide with white walls, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and vaulted.

East Toowoomba Cottage

Ivy + Piper Pty Ltd

This is an example of a country living room in Brisbane with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Cannon Valley Abode

Tempus Design Studio Pty Ltd

This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

Project - Taupo House, NZ

Brickworks Building Products

Country open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

WEST MELBOURNE 01

Ed Ewers Architecture

This is an example of an industrial living room in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, grey floor and wood.

WA, Giorgi

Housing Industry Association - HIA

Faultless is how the judges described this beautiful home. Masterfully constructed with a layout designed to maximise the northern light and shield the outdoor areas from the weather. This home radiated class and elegance with excellent ambience and aesthetic throughout.

Rosanna

DSdezines Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Little Richardson

Mcmahon and Nerlich

Living room makes the most of the light and space and colours relate to charred black timber cladding
Design ideas for a small industrial open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and wood.

Lurline Bay House - Part 1

D'Cruz Design Group

Expansive contemporary formal open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

Art Forms Hindley & Co - Furniture and skylight

Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design

Highlight and skylight bring in light from above whilst maintaining privacy from the street. Artwork by Patricia Piccinini and Peter Hennessey. Rug from Armadillo and vintage chair from Casser Maison, Togo chairs from Domo.

Custom Built Wall Unit with Bookshelf For Modern Cottage Living Room

Chervin Kitchen & Bath Inc.

Embrace the essence of cottage living with a bespoke wall unit and bookshelf tailored to your unique space. Handcrafted with care and attention to detail, this renovation project infuses a modern cottage living room with rustic charm and timeless appeal. The custom-built unit offers both practical storage solutions and a focal point for displaying cherished possessions. This thoughtfully designed addition enhances the warmth and character of the space.

Living

O'Meara Jones

Inspiration for a large beach style open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

NOB HILL | Remodel + Styling

Designology Studio LLC

Photo of a transitional open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, exposed beam, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

McGee Home - Killowen Construction

Hearth and Home Distributors of Utah, LLC. (HHDU)

Warm family room with Fireplace focal point.
Large transitional open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Interior 1709

Alyssa Collins Design

Design ideas for a large traditional open concept living room in Oklahoma City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Hunters Contemporary

Younger Homes

Photo of a contemporary living room in Austin with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

Libertyville Custom Home In Law Suite

Great Rooms Building Group

This is an example of a small country open concept living room in Chicago with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in media wall, brown floor and timber.

Transitional Rancher, Hillsborough, CA

Lauren Evans Interiors, LLC

Inspiration for a transitional living room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and vaulted.

Cozy Family Sanctuary

An Inspiring Home

Photo by Krista Cox Studio
Inspiration for a transitional living room in Charlotte with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

Modern Silverleaf Estate

Cosan Studio

This is an example of a modern open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

All Ceiling Designs Living Room Design Photos with White 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.