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.

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.

R Residence

archer design

Central to the success of this project is the seamless link between interior and exterior zones. The external zones free-flow off the interior to create a sophisticated yet secluded space to lounge, entertain and dine.

Luxe Coastal I

McMillan Design

Transitional open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Custom design and build

Horizon Homes

First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

Izvor House

Michael Cardinale Architect

Living room with fireplace. Conspicuously absent is the large screen TV...... Bounded by three wall of glass this room is intended to be a place to sit and engage with others, the park and lake across the road and outdoors areas to the rear. With rain falling and the fireplace roaring it is a special place to be.

House in Silhouette - Living room

Atelier Red+Black

Peter Bennetts
Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, carpet, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Craftsman Manor Resurrection

Board & Vellum

Photograph by Travis Peterson.
Large transitional formal open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Modern Farmhouse

User

This modern farmhouse located outside of Spokane, Washington, creates a prominent focal point among the landscape of rolling plains. The composition of the home is dominated by three steep gable rooflines linked together by a central spine. This unique design evokes a sense of expansion and contraction from one space to the next. Vertical cedar siding, poured concrete, and zinc gray metal elements clad the modern farmhouse, which, combined with a shop that has the aesthetic of a weathered barn, creates a sense of modernity that remains rooted to the surrounding environment. The Glo double pane A5 Series windows and doors were selected for the project because of their sleek, modern aesthetic and advanced thermal technology over traditional aluminum windows. High performance spacers, low iron glass, larger continuous thermal breaks, and multiple air seals allows the A5 Series to deliver high performance values and cost effective durability while remaining a sophisticated and stylish design choice. Strategically placed operable windows paired with large expanses of fixed picture windows provide natural ventilation and a visual connection to the outdoors.

Skyline® Gliding Window Panels & Roller Shade

Window Spaces

Hunter Douglas Skyline® Gliding Window Panels & Designer Roller Shades provide a contemporary look and style!
Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in San Diego with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Heatilator Design Gallery

Perfection Supply

Photo of a mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in Houston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

AMBELSIDE WEST VANCOUVER

Janet Scagel Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Vancouver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

West Hills 24

Otto/Walker Architects

Large contemporary formal open concept living room in Salt Lake City with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, white walls and no tv.

The Bryant Back Bay

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Large transitional formal open concept living room in Boston with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, medium hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and recessed.

Copper Bay

Glas Associates

A comfortable living room with large furniture-style built-ins around the stone fireplace Photo by Ashley Avila Photography
Photo of a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Grand Rapids with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and coffered.

The Colony Project

Hudson + Bloum Design

Lucy Call
Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Salt Lake City with a home bar, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, beige floor and no tv.

Long Island Tudor

Raychel Wade Design

Transitional formal open concept living room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Maidstone

HW Interiors

Small transitional formal open concept living room in Miami with grey walls, a standard fireplace, concrete floors, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Villandry Circle

Hills & Grant

Photo: Lisa Petrole
Photo of an expansive modern formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

LIVING ROOM

Sheila Rich Interiors, LLC

A crisp and consistent color scheme and composition creates an airy, unified mood throughout the diminutive 13' x 13' living room. Dark hardwood floors add warmth and contrast. We added thick moldings to architecturally enhance the house. Gauzy cotton Roman shades dress new hurricane-proof windows and coax additional natural light into the home. Because of their versatility, pairs of furniture instead of single larger pieces are used throughout the home. This helps solve the space problem because these smaller pieces can be moved and stored easily.

Open Concept Living Room Design Photos with No TV

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.