Traditional open concept living room in Brisbane with a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, coffered, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and brown floor.

t-Olive Properties

David Cannon Photography

David Cannon Photography
Photo of a traditional living room in Atlanta with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Warrenton, Virginia - Sunroom & Patio Addition to Existing Home

SouthStar Construction Company LLC

This is an example of a small traditional living room in DC Metro with slate floors, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Lakewood

Visbeen Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Grand Rapids with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Living Rooms

Shipley & Sons Construction

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in Phoenix with white walls, carpet, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Ashton Woods Atlanta Interiors

Ashton Woods

This spacious room is very quaint and the interior brick wall adds a nice rustic feel. (Designed by Artisan Design Group)
Photo of a traditional open concept living room in Atlanta with a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Issaquah, WA

Home Designs Northwest

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in Seattle with grey walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and multi-coloured floor.

Classic Luxury - New Construction - Royal Palm

Laure Nell Interiors

Inspiration for a large traditional formal open concept living room in Miami with white walls, porcelain floors, white floor, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Seasonal Los Altos Hills Sophisticated Chic

Spectrum Interior Design, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in San Francisco with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Philadelphia Magazine Design Home 2008

Guidi Homes

Jay Greene Photography
Photo of a traditional living room in Philadelphia with beige walls, carpet and a ribbon fireplace.

Chisholm Road

R.M. Buck Builders

This is an example of a traditional living room in Charleston with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a built-in media wall.

Wood - Alpine

User

Simple Luxury Photography
This is an example of an expansive traditional formal open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, carpet, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

West Chop Compound

User

Traditional formal open concept living room in Boston with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

Boutique Living

LeBlanc Design

Traditional formal enclosed living room in Boston with beige walls, a stone fireplace surround, carpet and a ribbon fireplace.

The Arlington in Currie Barracks

Crystal Creek Homes

Photo of a traditional enclosed living room in Calgary with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Lonsdale Road

Granit Architects + Interiors

Photo Credit - Andrew Beasley
Traditional formal enclosed living room in London with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Lakewood

Visbeen Architects

Mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Grand Rapids with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Gravelstone Living Room

Lucullan Properties Ltd

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in San Diego with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and brown floor.

Willow Glen Ranch Remodel

Brad Cox, Architect, Inc.

Originally the fireplace was on the left wall, which faces the street. Moving it to the shorter wall creates a nice symmetry and allows for an unobstructed view of the yard and charming neighborhood.

Harrison Lane Modern Beauty

Lacey Construction Ltd.

This inviting traditional living room has a ribbon fireplace with custom mantle and stone surround, and wall-mount TV. Photos by Brice Ferre
Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal loft-style living room in Vancouver with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Traditional Living Room Design Photos with a Ribbon Fireplace

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.