This closeup of a dramatic, sophisticated Living Room in a large traditional home illustrates what a wonderful background color can do to enhance a beautiful piece of original art. Photo by Jeff Garland.

Beautiful Whole House Remodel - Glen Ellyn, IL

TKS Design Group

Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Custom Home | The Butterly House

Studio H2O

Stone two-sided fireplace with up lighting underneath the top stone. Hardwood floors in the formal living room, porcelain wood grain tiles for the kitchen, dining, wine cellar and exterior patio. Pool and backyard landscaping are the only previous features that remained from the original home, minus a few walls on the interior and newly installed waterless grass for the ground cover. Designed with a standing seam metal roof, with internal drainage system for hidden gutters design. Rain chain and rain barrels for rain harvesting. Retrofitted with Hardy Frames prefabricated shear walls for up to date earthquake safety. Opening both walls to the backyard, there are now two 14' folding doors allowing the inside and outside to merge. http://www.hardyframe.com/HF/index.html Amy J Smith Photography

Madrona Pacific Northwest Modern

Suidman Design LLC

Charlie Schuck
Large contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors and a two-sided fireplace.

Fireplace redo

Rayna Vogel Interior Design, LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Seattle with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

CASA SS

Reisarchitettura

Il soggiorno con vista sull'uliveto
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean open concept living room in Bari with white walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Modern Colour Condo

Douglas Design Studio

Modern colour living room bench, carpet and coffee table details
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Toronto with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor and coffered.

Nantucket North - Muskoka ON

Sprout Studios Inc.

Open concept living room with views to lake
This is an example of a beach style formal enclosed living room in Toronto with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Harold Way Hollywood Hills modern home open plan dining room, kitchen & living r

Whipple Russell Architects

Harold Way Hollywood Hills modern home open plan dining room, kitchen & living room with colored LED lighting
Photo of an expansive modern formal loft-style living room in Los Angeles with white walls, porcelain floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, white floor and recessed.

Westchester Custom Home

Westchester Custom Homes

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, marble floors, a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Timeless

FRG Objects & Design / Art

© Oberto Gili © Langdon Clay © Timothy Hursley
Large modern formal loft-style living room in New York with white walls, no tv, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and blue floor.

Bonsai Showrooms

Bonsai Group

The Sam love seat with the amazing leather hand-cut cushion.
Photo of a contemporary open concept living room in London with light hardwood floors and a two-sided fireplace.

residential

afrand

Mid-sized modern living room in Other with multi-coloured walls, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Our Gallery

Empire Tile and Stone

Photo of a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Boston with medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Clubhouse in Old Tappan

Carpet World Flooring Center

Design ideas for an expansive traditional formal enclosed living room in New York with multi-coloured walls, vinyl floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Our Work

Westcoast Audio Video Gallery

Large open concept living room in Vancouver with medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a freestanding tv.

Custom Home | The Butterly House

Studio H2O

Purple Living Room Design Photos with a Two-sided Fireplace

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.