This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Kansas City with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, exposed beam, vaulted, wood and wood walls.

Lake View Hideaway

HUDSON DESIGN Architecture & Construction Mgmt

Photo of an expansive contemporary enclosed living room in New York with white walls, porcelain floors, grey floor, vaulted and wood.

Perch Pond

Yankee Barn Homes

Inspiration for a country living room in Burlington with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Oregon Beach House

Rehkamp Larson Architects, Inc.

Contractor: Kevin F. Russo Interiors: Anne McDonald Design Photo: Scott Amundson
This is an example of a beach style living room in Portland with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and wood.

Driftwood Lane

Nathan Homes LLC

This is an example of a modern open concept living room in Omaha with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and wood.

SOLITUDE 4500 Model

Sonora West Development, Inc.

Large open concept living room in Phoenix with a home bar, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and wood.

Japandi Home

SDA Architects

After the second fallout of the Delta Variant amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in mid 2021, our team working from home, and our client in quarantine, SDA Architects conceived Japandi Home. The initial brief for the renovation of this pool house was for its interior to have an "immediate sense of serenity" that roused the feeling of being peaceful. Influenced by loneliness and angst during quarantine, SDA Architects explored themes of escapism and empathy which led to a “Japandi” style concept design – the nexus between “Scandinavian functionality” and “Japanese rustic minimalism” to invoke feelings of “art, nature and simplicity.” This merging of styles forms the perfect amalgamation of both function and form, centred on clean lines, bright spaces and light colours. Grounded by its emotional weight, poetic lyricism, and relaxed atmosphere; Japandi Home aesthetics focus on simplicity, natural elements, and comfort; minimalism that is both aesthetically pleasing yet highly functional. Japandi Home places special emphasis on sustainability through use of raw furnishings and a rejection of the one-time-use culture we have embraced for numerous decades. A plethora of natural materials, muted colours, clean lines and minimal, yet-well-curated furnishings have been employed to showcase beautiful craftsmanship – quality handmade pieces over quantitative throwaway items. A neutral colour palette compliments the soft and hard furnishings within, allowing the timeless pieces to breath and speak for themselves. These calming, tranquil and peaceful colours have been chosen so when accent colours are incorporated, they are done so in a meaningful yet subtle way. Japandi home isn’t sparse – it’s intentional. The integrated storage throughout – from the kitchen, to dining buffet, linen cupboard, window seat, entertainment unit, bed ensemble and walk-in wardrobe are key to reducing clutter and maintaining the zen-like sense of calm created by these clean lines and open spaces. The Scandinavian concept of “hygge” refers to the idea that ones home is your cosy sanctuary. Similarly, this ideology has been fused with the Japanese notion of “wabi-sabi”; the idea that there is beauty in imperfection. Hence, the marriage of these design styles is both founded on minimalism and comfort; easy-going yet sophisticated. Conversely, whilst Japanese styles can be considered “sleek” and Scandinavian, “rustic”, the richness of the Japanese neutral colour palette aids in preventing the stark, crisp palette of Scandinavian styles from feeling cold and clinical. Japandi Home’s introspective essence can ultimately be considered quite timely for the pandemic and was the quintessential lockdown project our team needed.

Taviawk

Imbue Design

Open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, concrete floors, grey floor and wood.

Bow, NH

New England Design Elements

Mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Manchester with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a concealed tv, white floor, wood and decorative wall panelling.

1200 Sqft 2 Bed/ 2.5 bath Cottage, Saugerties, NY

A. Bollman & Sons.

This custom cottage designed and built by Aaron Bollman is nestled in the Saugerties, NY. Situated in virgin forest at the foot of the Catskill mountains overlooking a babling brook, this hand crafted home both charms and relaxes the senses.

1200 Sqft 2 Bed/ 2.5 bath Cottage, Saugerties, NY

A. Bollman & Sons.

Palos Verdes Estates Spanish Residence

Joseph Spierer Architects, Inc.

Living room, next to dining area and office. In the background, the outdoor balcony area overlooking the ocean and sunset.
Large mediterranean formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, brown floor, wood and dark hardwood floors.

Toluca Lake

Patal Construction

Inspiration for a country living room in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and wood.

Living Room & Kitchen Dining Area - Retirement Dream

Schultz Building Inc

This is an example of a country living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and wood.

『ＡＳＡＺＵＭＩの家』

設計室ｅｎ

This is an example of a small living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, no tv and wood.

Farm Air B&B

Built Environment

New flooring, New lighting
Inspiration for a country open concept living room in Sacramento with laminate floors, white walls, a corner fireplace, beige floor, vaulted and wood.

Sausalito small house

Rob van Nood Construction

This is an example of an eclectic living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding tv, beige floor, vaulted and wood.

Islamorada House

SOL Y MAR INTERIORS

Open plan modern coastal living room and dining room.
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Other with white walls, porcelain floors, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and wood.

The Williams

Anthony W Design

Design ideas for an eclectic open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and wood.

Timber Frame Home - Meadow Creek Residence

PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes-Southwest Idaho

A warm fireplace makes residents feel cozy as they take in the views of the snowy landscape beyond. PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes. Image Copyright: Longviews Studios, Inc

Living Room Design Photos with White Walls and Wood

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.