Living room makes the most of the light and space and colours relate to charred black timber cladding
Design ideas for a small industrial open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and wood.

Southbank Apartment

Jasmine McClelland Design

Contemporary apartment living room with warm neutral furnishings and a gorgeous feature floor lamp.
Photo of a small contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors and a wall-mounted tv.

Industrial Living Room

Inspiration for a small industrial loft-style living room in Other with a library, white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, a concealed tv and white floor.

Oakley Home Builders

Inspiration for a small contemporary enclosed family room in Chicago with a library, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and no tv.

Tiburon home remodel

Mahoney Architects & Interiors

A modest and traditional living room
Photo of a small beach style formal open concept living room in San Francisco with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

Library and Music Room in Suburban North London

Charlotte Heather Interiors Ltd

Our clients wanted a space where they could relax, play music and read. The room is compact and as professors, our clients enjoy to read. The challenge was to accommodate over 800 books, records and music. The space had not been touched since the 70’s with raw wood and bent shelves, the outcome of our renovation was a light, usable and comfortable space. Burnt oranges, blues, pinks and reds to bring is depth and warmth. Bespoke joinery was designed to accommodate new heating, security systems, tv and record players as well as all the books. Our clients are returning clients and are over the moon!

Earthy Mackay House

Cathie Hong Interiors

This 1956 John Calder Mackay home had been poorly renovated in years past. We kept the 1400 sqft footprint of the home, but re-oriented and re-imagined the bland white kitchen to a midcentury olive green kitchen that opened up the sight lines to the wall of glass facing the rear yard. We chose materials that felt authentic and appropriate for the house: handmade glazed ceramics, bricks inspired by the California coast, natural white oaks heavy in grain, and honed marbles in complementary hues to the earth tones we peppered throughout the hard and soft finishes. This project was featured in the Wall Street Journal in April 2022.

Eastlake Houseboat

K&L Interiors

Inspiration for a small beach style open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, wood, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Rose Cottage

Hygge and Cwtch Design Studio

Design ideas for a small scandinavian open concept living room in Cornwall with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and exposed beam.

Memorial Park

MMI Design

This is an example of a small transitional open concept living room in Houston with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Hampstead Village Apartment

NW3 Interiors Ltd

Design ideas for a small contemporary living room in London with beige walls.

First Avenue Residence

PLANT Architect Inc.

This three-storey 19th-century building was originally a dairy. In the 1980s it was vertically subdivided into three narrow townhouse units. To expand the apparent width of the second-floor living area, we replaced the existing enclosed stair with a new stair behind transparent floor-to-ceiling glass panels. View facing east through second-floor living area, with reclaimed wide board white oak flooring and cherry wall framing.

Three Arch Cottage

Nate Fischer Interiors

Bright and airy cottage living room with white washed brick and natural wood beam mantle.
Photo of a small beach style open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and vaulted.

Contemporary Mediterranean Escape in the City

JTID Inc.

The den which initially served as an office was converted into a television room. It doubles as a quiet reading nook. It faces into an interior courtyard, therefore, the light is generally dim, which was ideal for a media room. The small-scale furniture is grouped over an area rug which features an oversized arabesque-like design. The soft pleated shade pendant fixture provides a soft glow. Some of the client’s existing art collection is displayed.

Boerum Hill Townhouse

KSB Build

Bleached oak built-in with leather pulls.
This is an example of a small contemporary open concept family room in New York with grey walls, a built-in media wall and wallpaper.

Bright and Cozy Library

Tiffany Brooks, HGTV Host & Interior Designer

This library offers one of the best spots in the home for enjoying views of the outdoors. The library is just steps from the kitchen, as well as a porch outside. https://www.tiffanybrooksinteriors.com Inquire About Our Design Services http://www.tiffanybrooksinteriors.com Inquire about our design services. Spaced designed by Tiffany Brooks Photo 2019 Scripps Network, LLC.

Classic Modern - Den

Mia Rao Design

This family room space feels cozy with its deep blue gray walls and large throw pillows. The ivory shagreen coffee table lightens up the pallet. Brass accessories add interest.

The Mayflower

cityhomeCOLLECTIVE

Kerri Fukui
Design ideas for a small scandinavian sunroom in Salt Lake City with light hardwood floors, a standard ceiling and beige floor.

Modern Kitchen and Master Bath Renovation

Integrity Development & Construction, Inc.

Striking living room fireplace with bold 12"x24" black tiles which cascade down the full length of the wall.
Inspiration for a small modern open concept living room in Boston with a library, white walls, porcelain floors, a wood stove, a tile fireplace surround and black floor.

Portland Teahouse ADU

SQFT Studios LLC & SQFT Studios Architecture LLC

Living/Dining/Kitchen/Bedroom = Studio ADU! Photo by: Peter Chee Photography
Design ideas for a small asian open concept living room in Portland with white walls and bamboo floors.

Small Living Design Ideas

The best room for gathering with your family and friends in a cosy environment is your living room or family room. You want to hang out where the lounge furniture is the most comfortable and sofas or chairs create a sense of homeliness. Filling this important space with cheap furniture is unlikely to bring you the same long-lasting comfort as a quality chaise lounge or a couch. These choices will directly affect the quality of your evenings as you wind down from the daily grind. While planning a renovation or redesign, weigh up the priorities of seating, heating, an entertainment unit and bookcases. Identify your main activity in the room and and design around that. Many living rooms aren't complete without a fireplace, but if you can't accommodate that, invest in built-in or furniture that suits your home. Common trends include Danish furniture and other kinds of Scandinavian furniture. Plush sofas, recliner chairs and sofa beds will always be popular. Finally, when the big components are planned out, think about what colour scheme and decor will best suit you and your family. If needed, an interior designer can help here.

Should I include a fireplace in my living room or family room?

Depending on your climate, a fireplace might be a great way to add warmth and interest to your living space. Even if your location is warm year-round, you can always add a faux fireplace or nonfunctioning fireplace as part of your decor. There are many options to choose from, so be sure to check them out. A wood-burning fireplace gives an authentic experience, though a gas one still emits heat without the mess. A double-sided or corner unit strays from the ordinary, or you can go with a wood stove fireplace if you're looking for a piece of art. If you want a contemporary touch, veer away from the traditional wood or tile mantel by going with stone, concrete or metal instead.

What kind of built-ins should I add to my living room?

Although it might not seem glamorous, having enough storage is instrumental when it comes to keeping the room organised and practical. Built-in bookcases, shelves and cabinets are a great way to add hidden, functional storage for all the knickknacks you accumulate. Movie and gaming buffs will love a custom entertainment centre, with enough cabinets for movies, speakers and electronic accessories; you can even create a media room with a projector and lounge chairs! If you still have room to spare, include a booth for homework or craft projects.

How do I decorate my home interiors?

When it comes to decorating, neutrals are always the safe option because they look good and never go out of style. They also give any artwork you hang enough breathing space. If you do want to try out a bolder colour scheme, add colour with walls and accessories. That way, if you get sick of a colour, you can quickly repaint the walls and find new knickknacks, instead of having to replace your sofas every time trends change. Popular colours include blue, green and grey, but don't be afraid to try bright colours like red or yellow, even if it's just on an accent wall. Finally, make sure there is plenty of light. Recessed or track lighting are great ways to hit every corner — better yet, add more natural light by installing additional windows or a skylight.