Photographed by: Julie Soefer Photography
Large traditional open concept living room in Houston with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, a home bar, a tile fireplace surround and a corner fireplace.

Woodlands First Floor Remodel

Sneller Custom Homes and Remodeling, LLC

Mike Kaskel
This is an example of a traditional enclosed living room in Houston with a home bar, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Living Room

Wolfe Rizor Interiors

This is an example of an expansive traditional open concept living room in Orlando with white walls, a home bar, carpet and a built-in media wall.

Apartment ER

Benjamin Andres Architekt

Alison Gootee Project for: OPUS.AD
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in New York with a home bar, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

The Country Mansion

Alvarez Homes

Photography by Jorge Alvarez.
Inspiration for an expansive traditional enclosed living room in Tampa with a home bar, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Mount Vernon Victorian

Wannemacher Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in Columbus with a home bar, green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Party Perfection

Teakwood Builders, Inc.

This "adults only" seating area occupies the space of the previous sunroom and provides the clients with the perfect area to entertain, have after dinner drinks by the fire, or simply relax while their kids play nearby. Nearly floor-to-ceiling windows take advantage of the 7 acre lot and its spectacular views. Scott Bergmann Photography

Brays Island - Brays

Court Atkins Group

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional living room in Charleston with a home bar, green walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Luxe Beaux Arts

Watson & Co

Traditional living room in Denver with a home bar, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Living Room

Capital State Remodel

Photo of a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in Austin with a home bar, beige walls, terra-cotta floors, no tv, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

San Elijo Hills traditional redesign

Tracy Berman Interiors

traditional design seating arrangement
Photo of a large traditional open concept living room in San Diego with a home bar, brown walls, ceramic floors, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Sun Room

Hill Swift Architect, pllc

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Houston with a home bar, white walls, porcelain floors, no fireplace, no tv and white floor.

Cast stone fireplace mantels in Montreal

Omega Stone Mantels

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Tonka Bay (Lake Minnetonka) Addition

John Kraemer & Sons

A recent John Kraemer & Sons project on Lake Minnetonka's Gideon's Bay in the city of Tonka Bay, MN. Architecture: RDS Architects Interiors: Brandi Hagen of Eminent Interior Design Photography: Jon Huelskamp of Landmark Photography

the Creekside Cottage

Orchid Interiors

Holger Obenaus
This is an example of a traditional living room in Charleston with a home bar.

MENDHAM SHINGLE-STYLE ESTATE

Passacantando Architects AIA

Photographer: Kevin Colquhoun
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional loft-style living room in New York with a home bar, blue walls, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Marsh View Remodel

Spang Builders, Inc.

Kelley Raffaele
Photo of a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Portland Maine with a home bar, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Wallace Residence

Cooper Johnson Smith Architects and Town Planners

Alvarez Photography
Traditional living room in Tampa with a home bar.

Weatherfield Residence & Pool House

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Photographer: Angle Eye Photography Interior Designer: Callaghan Interior Design
This is an example of a large traditional open concept living room in Philadelphia with a home bar, beige walls, travertine floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Green Oaks Renovation

Briggs Design Associates, Inc.

Alex Claney Photography A unique custom french door for the kitchen linens and cookbooks. The doors are solid walnut.
Inspiration for a large traditional open concept living room in Chicago with a home bar, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Traditional Living Room Design Photos with a Home Bar

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.