Living room with fireplace. Armchair by Robin Day
Traditional living room in London.

A fresh and modern vision for English country living with exacting attention to custom details such as herringbone floors, lamp shades, drapery and a custom-built banquette that provides a hint of the modern in the midst of classic country refinement. From arresting open-back chairs curated for their sculptural quality to carefully rusticated wall finishes that provide a palette for aged-glass mirrors flanking the entrance to the library, no small detail is left unattended. Design inspiration for this petite living room emerged from an emphasis on creating compelling vistas and marrying form and function between this little charmer and its adjoining library, foyer and dining room. For a client who required a fresh take on the charm and subtle sophistication of an English country living room without any of the stuffiness, only the most impeccable design choices would suffice. Peter Rymwid

Lakeview Residence

Elstad Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Shaker Style Livingroom

Rebecca Purdy Design

Rebecca Purdy Design | Toronto Interior Design | Livingroom
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Toronto with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Living Rooms & Libraries

Galloway Custom Homes, LLC

Inspiration for a large traditional formal open concept living room in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a built-in media wall.

Wolf Willow-Cream on Cream Luxury

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc.

This is an example of a large traditional open concept living room in Edmonton with a music area, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Winchester Serenity Victorian

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

Mathew and his team at Cummings Architects have a knack for being able to see the perfect vision for a property. They specialize in identifying a building’s missing elements and crafting designs that simultaneously encompass the large scale, master plan and the myriad details that make a home special. For this Winchester home, the vision included a variety of complementary projects that all came together into a single architectural composition. Starting with the exterior, the single-lane driveway was extended and a new carriage garage that was designed to blend with the overall context of the existing home. In addition to covered parking, this building also provides valuable new storage areas accessible via large, double doors that lead into a connected work area. For the interior of the house, new moldings on bay windows, window seats, and two paneled fireplaces with mantles dress up previously nondescript rooms. The family room was extended to the rear of the house and opened up with the addition of generously sized, wall-to-wall windows that served to brighten the space and blur the boundary between interior and exterior. The family room, with its intimate sitting area, cozy fireplace, and charming breakfast table (the best spot to enjoy a sunlit start to the day) has become one of the family’s favorite rooms, offering comfort and light throughout the day. In the kitchen, the layout was simplified and changes were made to allow more light into the rear of the home via a connected deck with elongated steps that lead to the yard and a blue-stone patio that’s perfect for entertaining smaller, more intimate groups. From driveway to family room and back out into the yard, each detail in this beautiful design complements all the other concepts and details so that the entire plan comes together into a unified vision for a spectacular home. Photos By: Eric Roth

Transitional Style Living Room with White Wainscoting

MILLER + MILLER Architectural Photography

A transitional style living room with custom French lime stone fireplace mantle, white wainscoting throughout, large vase with modern stick branches for decor, curtains / blinds, crown moulding millwork, art painting, pattern fabric chair, pocket doors, dark Hardwood Floors and simple, elegant rug. Custom Home Builder and General Contractor for this Home: Leinster Construction, Inc., Chicago, IL www.leinsterconstruction.com Miller + Miller Architectural Photography

Living Room Fall Mantle

User

This is an example of a traditional living room in Seattle.

Interior 1709

Alyssa Collins Design

Design ideas for a large traditional open concept living room in Oklahoma City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv and exposed beam.

Traditional Living Room

This is an example of a traditional formal open concept living room in New York with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Pinnacle Remodel

Katie Grace Designs

Inspiration for a traditional formal living room in Little Rock with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Golden Elegance Piano Room

Doc Tee Interiors

Design ideas for a traditional living room in Chicago.

Late Victorian Remodel

Centoni Restoration & Development, Inc.

The floor plan of this beautiful Victorian flat remained largely unchanged since 1890 – making modern living a challenge. With support from our engineering team, the floor plan of the main living space was opened to not only connect the kitchen and the living room but also add a dedicated dining area.

Shabby Chic Slipcovered U Sectional Family Room

Harmony Drive Interiors

Design ideas for a traditional living room in DC Metro.

Granville Home

City Park Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional formal living room in Columbus with green walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

City Town House

Thompson Clarke Interiors

Bradley Quinn
Mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in Belfast with beige walls, painted wood floors and grey floor.

Natalie Mor Design

Natalie Mor Design, Decor & Staging

Photo of a large traditional enclosed living room in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Window coverings

Southern Alberta Shutter Co

This is an example of a traditional formal living room in Calgary with white walls and dark hardwood floors.

Highland Road Kitchen and Living Room Remodel

Spencer's Contracting LLC

Photo of a large traditional formal living room in New Orleans with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Traditional Beige 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.