A contemporary open plan allows for dramatic use of color without compromising light. Joseph De Leo Photography
This is an example of a traditional living room in New York with red walls.

Carolina Design Associates, LLC

Traditional formal living room in Charlotte with brown walls, no fireplace, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Cozy Cottage

Gatling Design

Photo by Ed Gohlich
This is an example of a large traditional formal open concept living room in San Diego with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding tv and brown floor.

Gray/Grey Living Room Looking Into Dining Room With Wainscot And Columns

Design Find

Another view of living room, this one looking towards the dining room. Glass shelving were replaced with wood shelves and nooks were surrounded by decorative trim. Salvaged columns were added and wainscot was installed in the dining room. Original hardwoods were refinished as well. Photo By Obeo Minneapolis

Traditional Living Room

Inspiration for a traditional living room in Portland.

East Hampton Farmhouse

User

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in New York with a library, white walls and dark hardwood floors.

Curtains, Blinds, & Bath Designs

Curtains, Blinds, & Bath

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Kavka Designs Parisian Living Room

Kavka Designs

Kavka Designs
Traditional formal living room in New York with light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Living Room Design

User

David Meaux Photography
Photo of a traditional living room in DC Metro.

San Marino

Ebanista

Richness of detail and a feeling of history create a sense of elegant refinement in this classical estate. Lovely patinaed finishes and fabrics, expert appointments, and a poetic palette are artfully mixed.

NE 44th Dutch Colonial Remodel

Olson Design Build

Traditional living room in Portland with black walls, dark hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Rugs

Yates Flooring Center

Photo of a traditional living room in Austin.

San Francisco Painted Lady

Peter Lyons Photography

This is one of San Francisco's famous "Painted Ladies" on Alamo Square. peterlyonsphoto.com
Traditional formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with beige walls and medium hardwood floors.

Mansion in May

Alan Schatzberg & Associates, Inc.

Expansive traditional formal open concept living room in New York with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Medina Cabana

Hyde Evans Design

Guest and Pool House in Medina Washington. Interior Design by Hyde Evans Design. Photo by Benjamin Benschneider
Photo of a traditional living room in Seattle with beige walls and a standard fireplace.

Tyson Construction-Lakeview

St.Charles Lighting

Tyson Construction
Design ideas for a traditional living room in New Orleans.

Living Room

Paul Moon Design

Photo of a traditional living room in Seattle.

Fulham Garden Flat

Lisette Voute Designs

We sanded down the original hardwood floorboards throughout the property and added a lovely rich dark stain, making it both chic and cosy. The tongue and groove panelling really adds to the cosy cottage feel of the space. We replaced the fireplace hearth with warm limestone - both fresh and light. The furniture is mostly antiques. We opened up the wall between the living room and kitchen and created an archway with double pocket doors.

Saddle River House

kimberly peck architect

For this commission the client hired us to do the interiors of their new home which was under construction. The style of the house was very traditional however the client wanted the interiors to be transitional, a mixture of contemporary with more classic design. We assisted the client in all of the material, fixture, lighting, cabinetry and built-in selections for the home. The floors throughout the first floor of the home are a creme marble in different patterns to suit the particular room; the dining room has a marble mosaic inlay in the tradition of an oriental rug. The ground and second floors are hardwood flooring with a herringbone pattern in the bedrooms. Each of the seven bedrooms has a custom ensuite bathroom with a unique design. The master bathroom features a white and gray marble custom inlay around the wood paneled tub which rests below a venetian plaster domes and custom glass pendant light. We also selected all of the furnishings, wall coverings, window treatments, and accessories for the home. Custom draperies were fabricated for the sitting room, dining room, guest bedroom, master bedroom, and for the double height great room. The client wanted a neutral color scheme throughout the ground floor; fabrics were selected in creams and beiges in many different patterns and textures. One of the favorite rooms is the sitting room with the sculptural white tete a tete chairs. The master bedroom also maintains a neutral palette of creams and silver including a venetian mirror and a silver leafed folding screen. Additional unique features in the home are the layered capiz shell walls at the rear of the great room open bar, the double height limestone fireplace surround carved in a woven pattern, and the stained glass dome at the top of the vaulted ceilings in the great room.

Leura Grv

Abode Inspirations

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Melbourne with white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and beige floor.

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.