We updated this century-old iconic Edwardian San Francisco home to meet the homeowners' modern-day requirements while still retaining the original charm and architecture. The color palette was earthy and warm to play nicely with the warm wood tones found in the original wood floors, trim, doors and casework.

Ст. Разина 60 м2

Левина Екатерина и Вавилова Анастасия

This is an example of a small traditional open concept living room in Other with a music area, beige walls, laminate floors, no fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, recessed and wallpaper.

Classic Main Line Home

down2earth Interior Design, LLC.

The original wood paneling and coffered ceiling in the living room was gorgeous, but the hero of the room was the brass and glass light fixture that the previous owner installed. We created a seating area around it with comfy chairs perfectly placed for conversation. Being eco-minded in our approach, we love to re-use items whenever possible. The nesting tables and pale blue storage cabinet are from our client’s previous home, which we also had the privilege to decorate. We supplemented these existing pieces with a new rug, pillow and throw blanket to infuse the space with personality and link the colors of the room together.

Outdoor Connection

Eric Denny Architecture

This is an example of a small traditional living room in Seattle with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Renovation: Adaskin

Westridge Homes

DM Images
Small traditional living room in Other with white walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Small Home with a Big Heart

Tommy Daspit Photographer

New home construction in Homewood Alabama photographed for Willow Homes, Willow Design Studio, and Triton Stone Group by Birmingham Alabama based architectural and interiors photographer Tommy Daspit. You can see more of his work at http://tommydaspit.com

Windsor Arch

Woodland Stoves and Fireplaces

Inspiration for a small traditional formal enclosed living room in Minneapolis with blue walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

Stanford Wood Lodge

Absolute Architecture

Stanford Wood Cottage extension and conversion project by Absolute Architecture. Photos by Jaw Designs, Kitchens and joinery by Ben Heath.
This is an example of a small traditional enclosed living room in Berkshire with beige walls, light hardwood floors and a built-in media wall.

Circus tent inspired turret

Cirqua Studio

Tent room in silk to create intimate conversation area
Small traditional formal enclosed living room in Columbus with beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and no tv.

New Residence in Fourth & Gill

Elizabeth Eason Architecture LLC

Photo of a small traditional enclosed living room in Other with a library, yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and no tv.

Other Rooms

Martha Stewart Living

Create a place to display and access your favorite wine selections and glassware with cabinetry perfect for entertaining. Martha Stewart Living Lily Pond Cherry cabinetry in Ground Nutmeg Martha Stewart Living hardware in Soft Iron

Grove Street Interior Renovations

Classic Remodeling & Construction, Inc.

Matt Bolt, Charleston Home + Design Magazine
Design ideas for a small traditional enclosed living room in Charleston with a library, yellow walls and medium hardwood floors.

Meditation Room

Shelter | Architecture + Design

A room dedicated to the daily practice of meditation. Custom screens create a calm tranquil light within the room. Karen Melvin Photography
Design ideas for a small traditional formal enclosed living room in Minneapolis with yellow walls and light hardwood floors.

Traditional Living Room

This is an example of a small traditional living room in Portland with beige walls.

Sheri Olson

Sheri Olson Architecture PLLC

Music room with baby grand piano. Photo by Benjamin Benschneider.
Design ideas for a small traditional living room in Seattle with a music area.

Cottage 29 Restoration

MTM Woodworking & Design

Design ideas for a small traditional open concept living room in Providence with white walls, painted wood floors and white floor.

Our Work

D. Youngs Cabinets

Fitted alcove units shaker style in white
Inspiration for a small traditional living room in Surrey with white walls, carpet, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Classic Alcoves Pair

Freebird Interiors

A typical pair of our classic alcoves in brilliant white. In this example we added sound insulation against the rear walls of each alcove.
Design ideas for a small traditional living room in Other with carpet and a built-in media wall.

Pretty in Pink

Endless Ideas Interiors Inc.

Small traditional open concept living room in Toronto with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and coffered.

Greenwood Traditional

RW Anderson Homes

WE Studio
This is an example of a small traditional open concept living room in Seattle with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Small Traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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.