The design of this remodel of a small two-level residence in Noe Valley reflects the owner's passion for Japanese architecture. Having decided to completely gut the interior partitions, we devised a better-arranged floor plan with traditional Japanese features, including a sunken floor pit for dining and a vocabulary of natural wood trim and casework. Vertical grain Douglas Fir takes the place of Hinoki wood traditionally used in Japan. Natural wood flooring, soft green granite and green glass backsplashes in the kitchen further develop the desired Zen aesthetic. A wall to wall window above the sunken bath/shower creates a connection to the outdoors. Privacy is provided through the use of switchable glass, which goes from opaque to clear with a flick of a switch. We used in-floor heating to eliminate the noise associated with forced-air systems.

Mu empty

SpringZion Interior Design

Small asian open concept living room in Other with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

昭和小路の長屋 Rowhouse on Showa-koji St.

山本嘉寛建築設計事務所 yyaa

Photo by Yohei Sasakura
This is an example of a small asian open concept living room in Kyoto with beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and a freestanding tv.

House in Oume - renovation

ARCHISTUDIO KAWAGUCHI Co.,Ltd.

photo by Nacasa & Partners Inc.
Photo of a small asian open concept living room in Tokyo with light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding tv and white walls.

和モダンの超高気密・高断熱エコハウス

株式会社アイビ建築

京都・宇治にある和モダンエコハウス
Design ideas for a small asian open concept living room in Kyoto.

fumoto—週末をすごす五右衛門風呂のある別邸

blue studio

ブルースタジオ
Inspiration for a small asian formal open concept living room in Tokyo with a wall-mounted tv, white walls and no fireplace.

Portland Penthouse

Classic Designs

This is an example of a small asian open concept living room in Portland with yellow walls, carpet and a wall-mounted tv.

Paris - Tiny House Wabi-sabi sur les toits de Paris

Projet Wabi-sabi

Projet de Tiny House sur les toits de Paris, avec 17m² pour 4 !
This is an example of a small asian loft-style living room in Paris with a library, concrete floors, white floor, wood and wood walls.

Tiny Tea House

Oregon Cottage Company

Design ideas for a small asian open concept living room in Portland with brown walls, light hardwood floors and no tv.

廊下もリビング -家族の集うLDK-（マンション／apartment）

LOHAS studio（ロハススタジオ）

Photo of a small asian living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding tv and brown floor.

Craftsman Residence

Dunn Carpentry

This is an example of a small asian formal open concept living room in San Diego with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Malibu Tea House

Ken Tanaka Studio

Inspiration for a small asian open concept living room in Los Angeles with a home bar, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Reston Town Center Condo Living

Signature Design Interiors

Colorful shades of purple, beautiful patterns, and whimsical accessories bring this Reston condo to life. The SDI team was excited to update the main living spaces and kitchen in the art-deco design aesthetic that our clients love. With a previously neutral color palette in the open entertaining areas, the addition of a new plum loveseat and abstract area rug in shades of purple and gray created a new statement in the living room. One of the most impactful updates is the new circular violet ombre wallpaper in the sitting room. Two reupholstered chairs in a vibrant floral pattern and new end tables are perfect new additions to this space. In the dining room, we reupholstered their dining room chairs in a plum geometric pattern and relocated an existing console table with a light wood stain from their office and updated it by painting it with a silver lacquer. The kitchen was spruced up by replacing the existing green granite countertops with stunning Calacutta Quartz accompanied by a new oversized platinum sunburst tile backsplash and all new cabinet hardware with an ash gray finish.

弦巻の家改修

富士ソーラーハウス株式会社

Design ideas for a small asian living room in Yokohama with white walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Herringbone Wood Floors - West Village, NYC

Hull Forest Products - Wide Plank Floors

Herringbone pattern select grade White Oak floor, custom made by Hull Forest Products. 1-800--928-9602. www.hullforest.com. Photo by Marci Miles.
Design ideas for a small asian open concept living room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and a wall-mounted tv.

Asian Influence Entertainment Center

Paris Eden - Closet Factory

Asian entertainment center with vintage hardware and pulls. Red gloss finish and wood framework style this unit with maple modern cubes that create a background for the flatscreen TV.

Essence of Japan, Ealing, London

Yoko Kloeden Design

Design ideas for a small asian open concept living room in London with light hardwood floors and a wall-mounted tv.

大きなインナーバルコニーのある家

Earth Home 株式会社市理

Small asian open concept living room in Other with white walls, a freestanding tv and grey floor.

Before&After of two rooms in Japandy Style

DEZAI | ONLINE INTERIOR DESIGN

Living room before the redesign.
Inspiration for a small asian living room in London.

小高町の家　横浜のオフグリッドハウス

abanba（株式会社エイバンバ）

Design ideas for a small asian open concept living room in Yokohama with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove and a metal fireplace surround.

Small Asian Living Room Design Photos

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

Which Asian 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 Asian 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 Asian 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 Asian 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.