Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

New Build

Artiman Homes

Photo of a contemporary open concept living room in Wollongong with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and wood walls.

Minimalist White Queenslander Renovation

Ethos Interiors

Lovingly called the ‘white house’, this stunning Queenslander was given a contemporary makeover with oak floors, custom joinery and modern furniture and artwork. Creative detailing and unique finish selections reference the period details of a traditional home, while bringing it into modern times.

Загородный дом в Подмосковье

Салахова Дина

This is an example of a country living room in Moscow with a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, wood and wood walls.

Contemporary Craftsman

Eleven Interiors

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Boston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and wood walls.

Projet Mimosas : Clés en main pour appartement VEFA à Arcachon

Atelier Germain

L'appartement en VEFA de 73 m2 est en rez-de-jardin. Il a été livré brut sans aucun agencement. Nous avons dessiné, pour toutes les pièces de l'appartement, des meubles sur mesure optimisant les usages et offrant des rangements inexistants. Le meuble du salon fait office de dressing, lorsque celui-ci se transforme en couchage d'appoint. Meuble TV et espace bureau.

Earthy Modern Minimalist

Linette Dai Design

Inspiration for a modern living room in Orange County with white walls, concrete floors, grey floor and wood walls.

GUEMES ISLAND MODERN CABIN

H2D Architecture + Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, grey floor, wood and wood walls.

Floating Mezzanine Game Room

Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction

Floating above the kitchen and family room, a mezzanine offers elevated views to the lake. It features a fireplace with cozy seating and a game table for family gatherings. Architecture and interior design by Pierre Hoppenot, Studio PHH Architects.

Carlton Gardens, Ealing W5

TOTUS

Design ideas for a contemporary open concept living room in London with orange walls, dark hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and wood walls.

Port Melbourne Residence

MR.MITCHELL

Large contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with a home bar, brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and wood walls.

Seventh Green

Sage Designs

View of Living Room, and Family Room beyond.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in Other with a music area, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and wood walls.

New Gambrel on the Block

CHRISTOPHER STROM ARCHITECTS

This new, custom home is designed to blend into the existing “Cottage City” neighborhood in Linden Hills. To accomplish this, we incorporated the “Gambrel” roof form, which is a barn-shaped roof that reduces the scale of a 2-story home to appear as a story-and-a-half. With a Gambrel home existing on either side, this is the New Gambrel on the Block. This home has a traditional--yet fresh--design. The columns, located on the front porch, are of the Ionic Classical Order, with authentic proportions incorporated. Next to the columns is a light, modern, metal railing that stands in counterpoint to the home’s classic frame. This balance of traditional and fresh design is found throughout the home.

Canadacraig Enterprise Ltd

ZAC and ZAC - Photography

Ⓒ ZAC+ZAC
Traditional enclosed living room in Other with brown walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, beige floor, panelled walls and wood walls.

Fremantle House

Sorensen Architects

semi open living area with warm timber cladding and concealed ambient lighting
Inspiration for a small contemporary open concept living room in Perth with concrete floors, grey floor, beige walls and wood walls.

Residential

spacemekk designers p ltd

Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Pune with beige walls, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and wood walls.

Maison de montagne

User

This is an example of a small country enclosed living room in Toulouse with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and wood walls.

Hidden Lake

Arcanum Architecture

Inspiration for a large country open concept living room in Sacramento with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, wood and wood walls.

MONTORGUEIL

atelier daaa

Photo : BCDF Studio
Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Paris with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in media wall, brown floor and wood walls.

Dogtrot

Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders

A large concrete chimney projects from the foundations through the center of the house, serving as a centerpiece of design while separating public and private spaces.

All Wall Treatments Living Room Design Photos with Wood 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.