Zach DeSart
Inspiration for a transitional formal living room in New York with a standard fireplace and blue floor.

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Selections & Furnishings | Charles Cudd De Novo, Architecture | Troy Thies Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling

De Nimes' House

Into interior design

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in London with blue walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and beige floor.

Bartlett, IL Addition

Synergy Builders Inc.

Photo of a large transitional formal open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and decorative wall panelling.

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Marracar Design

This is an example of a large transitional formal enclosed living room with grey walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and beige floor.

East Magnolia

K&L Interiors

Large transitional formal enclosed living room in Seattle with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and dark hardwood floors.

Inside Out

SV Design

What began as a renovation project morphed into a new house, driven by the natural beauty of the site. The new structures are perfectly aligned with the coastline, and take full advantage of the views of ocean, islands, and shoals. The location is within walking distance of town and its amenities, yet miles away in the privacy it affords. The house is nestled on a nicely wooded lot, giving the residence screening from the street, with an open meadow leading to the ocean on the rear of the lot. The design concept was driven by the serenity of the site, enhanced by textures of trees, plantings, sand and shoreline. The newly constructed house sits quietly in a location advantageously positioned to take full advantage of natural light and solar orientations. The visual calm is enhanced by the natural material: stone, wood, and metal throughout the home. The main structures are comprised of traditional New England forms, with modern connectors serving to unify the structures. Each building is equally suited for single floor living, if that future needs is ever necessary. Unique too is an underground connection between main house and an outbuilding. With their flowing connections, no room is isolated or ignored; instead each reflects a different level of privacy and social interaction. Just as there are layers to the exterior in beach, field, forest and oceans, the inside has a layered approach. Textures in wood, stone, and neutral colors combine with the warmth of linens, wools, and metals. Personality and character of the interiors and its furnishings are tailored to the client’s lifestyle. Rooms are arranged and organized in an intersection of public and private spaces. The quiet palette within reflects the nature outside, enhanced with artwork and accessories.

North Oaks - Transitional Total Home Remodel

Michels Homes

Inspiration for a large transitional formal open concept living room in Minneapolis with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor and exposed beam.

Classic Seven Upper West Side

JMorris Design

Tan, red and gold look so great together here.
This is an example of a large transitional formal enclosed living room in New York with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Beverly Drive

Bella Casa Luxury Home Staging

Modern Farmhouse with elegant and luxury touches.
Large transitional formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with black walls, a built-in media wall, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Liveree Remodel

Katie Grace Designs

Inspiration for a large transitional formal open concept living room in Little Rock with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Ascot Residence

Verandah House

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal living room in Brisbane with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Transitional Glam, Los Altos

AK Design

Living room - large transitional formal and open concept white oak wood floor, Porcelanosa fireplace tiles, white flat panel cabinetry, gray walls, solid wood stairs, chrome pendant, 4-panel entry door in Los Altos.

Boerum Hill Greek Revival

User

This Greek Revival row house in Boerum Hill was previously owned by a local architect who renovated it several times, including the addition of a two-story steel and glass extension at the rear. The new owners came to us seeking to restore the house and its original formality, while adapting it to the modern needs of a family of five. The detailing of the 25 x 36 foot structure had been lost and required some sleuthing into the history of Greek Revival style in historic Brooklyn neighborhoods. In addition to completely re-framing the interior, the house also required a new south-facing brick façade due to significant deterioration. The modern extension was replaced with a more traditionally detailed wood and copper- clad bay, still open to natural light and the garden view without sacrificing comfort. The kitchen was relocated from the first floor to the garden level with an adjacent formal dining room. Both rooms were enlarged from their previous iterations to accommodate weekly dinners with extended family. The kitchen includes a home office and breakfast nook that doubles as a homework station. The cellar level was further excavated to accommodate finished storage space and a playroom where activity can be monitored from the kitchen workspaces. The parlor floor is now reserved for entertaining. New pocket doors can be closed to separate the formal front parlor from the more relaxed back portion, where the family plays games or watches TV together. At the end of the hall, a powder room with brass details, and a luxe bar with antique mirrored backsplash and stone tile flooring, leads to the deck and direct garden access. Because of the property width, the house is able to provide ample space for the interior program within a shorter footprint. This allows the garden to remain expansive, with a small lawn for play, an outdoor food preparation area with a cast-in-place concrete bench, and a place for entertaining towards the rear. The newly designed landscaping will continue to develop, further enhancing the yard’s feeling of escape, and filling-in the views from the kitchen and back parlor above. A less visible, but equally as conscious, addition is a rooftop PV solar array that provides nearly 100% of the daily electrical usage, with the exception of the AC system on hot summer days. The well-appointed interiors connect the traditional backdrop of the home to a youthful take on classic design and functionality. The materials are elegant without being precious, accommodating a young, growing family. Unique colors and patterns provide a feeling of luxury while inviting inhabitants and guests to relax and enjoy this classic Brooklyn brownstone. This project won runner-up in the architecture category for the 2017 NYC&G Innovation in Design Awards and was featured in The American House: 100 Contemporary Homes. Photography by Francis Dzikowski / OTTO

Custom Transitional

Peery Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, multi-coloured floor and a concrete fireplace surround.

City Fireplace

Kirley Architects

A favorite of the home, this fireplace surround was original to the home, but updated with a black slate surround and hearth bringing a modern touch to the ornate and traditional detailing.

George Living Room

Neptune

Photo of a transitional formal open concept living room in Belfast with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Vacant Stage Birmingham

Staged Detroit

This is an example of a transitional formal enclosed living room in Detroit with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

58th Street

K&L Interiors

Living room with original craftsman elements and updated furniture
This is an example of a small transitional formal open concept living room in Seattle with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Long Island Tudor

Raychel Wade Design

Transitional formal open concept living room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Transitional Formal 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 transitional 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 transitional living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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.