Narrow Scandi home with texture and colour

Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian formal open concept living room in Perth with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

Scandinavian Living Room

Jo Alcorn

This is an example of a small scandinavian open concept living room in Toronto with white walls, limestone floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

ELEGANTE Y SOFISTICADO

Slow & Chic - Interiorismo

This is an example of a mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Madrid with white walls, laminate floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

East Melbourne House

Nic Owen Architects

Christine Francis
Mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Rysam

Heiberg Cummings Design

Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian formal enclosed living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Crystal Palace Villa

Imperfect Interiors

Chris Snook
Scandinavian enclosed living room in London with white walls and a wood fireplace surround.

Pops of Colour Living Room

Simply Home Decorating

Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian formal enclosed living room in Vancouver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Harold Street

User

Lauren Bamford
Mid-sized scandinavian formal open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and a wood fireplace surround.

Hancock St

Scope Construction Company

The home was dark and narrow masking this Victorian brownstone's natural elegance and so with the guidance of the homeowner we embarked on a multi-step transformation in which we widened the walls exposing the natural brick lining the living-room and dining-room space, sanded and stained the floors with a light/natural matte coat, removed and reinforced the rear wall installing floor to ceiling thermally broken steel windows, extra tall custom inset kitchen cabinets, 3-level mini-split AC/Heating system, and several other improvements to the home owner's delight.

A soft, minimalist lounge makeover

These Four Walls blog

Abi Dare
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian enclosed living room in Other with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and beige floor.

Flooring Photos

Floorcoverings of Marin County, Inc.

Douglas fir finished with woca oil white
Large scandinavian open concept living room in San Francisco with light hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Family Hub

Susanna Cots

Mauricio Fuertes
Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Barcelona with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor and a concealed tv.

Waterview Queenslander Renovation - Living Room

Saltash Homes Pty Ltd

Living room with cypress timber flooring, fireplace, VJ wall panelling and extension to rear deck.
This is an example of a mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Brisbane with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, yellow floor, wood and panelled walls.

HAPPYNEST

Photo of a scandinavian living room in Madrid with a wood fireplace surround.

『大きなテーブルを囲む家』

ハウスデザイン一級建築士事務所

Design ideas for a large scandinavian formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Narrow Scandi home with texture and colour

Western Cabinets

Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian formal open concept living room in Perth with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

Meuble sur mesure - Salon

Artmeuble

Création d'un meuble salon avec différent espace de rangement. Ensemble en laqué blanc et noir mat, alliant une touche de chêne clair. Intégrant la cheminée, la télévision et des niches de rangements pour livres et décoration.

IMG_1762.JPG

blackStones

This is an example of a small scandinavian enclosed living room with a library, white walls, travertine floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Scandinavian Makeover | Mississauga

Neue Floors - European Wide Plank Oak

Photo of a small scandinavian open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and white floor.

Cosy Family Chalets

K.Holland Architectural Interiors

Design ideas for a small scandinavian formal loft-style living room with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and black floor.

Scandinavian Living Room Design Photos with a Wood Fireplace Surround

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 Scandinavian 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 Scandinavian living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which Scandinavian 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 Scandinavian 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 Scandinavian 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 Scandinavian 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.