A view from the dinning room through to the formal lounge
Traditional open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround and black floor.

Born & Bred Studio - Reception Room, Dartmouth park

Born & Bred Studio

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional formal living room in London with green walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

London Terrace Sitting Rom

Decorbuddi

We chose a beautiful inky blue for this London Living room to feel fresh in the daytime when the sun streams in and cozy in the evening when it would otherwise feel quite cold. The colour also complements the original fireplace tiles. We took the colour across the walls and woodwork, including the alcoves, and skirting boards, to create a perfect seamless finish. Balanced by the white floor, shutters and lampshade there is just enough light to keep it uplifting and atmospheric. The final additions were a complementary green velvet sofa, luxurious touches of gold and brass and a glass table and mirror to make the room sparkle by bouncing the light from the metallic finishes across the glass and onto the mirror

Townhouse

John Todd Bishop Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Atlanta with blue walls, carpet, no tv, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Classical

Modifica Interiors LLC

Robert Benson Photography
Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in Bridgeport with red walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Victorian Brownstone

Home Life by Rose Ann Humphrey

Grey Flannel Study, inspired by client's sailing obsession.
Design ideas for a large traditional formal open concept living room with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Beyond the Gates

Eckard Photographic

Eckard Photographic
Photo of an expansive traditional formal living room in Charlotte with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Queen Anne Victorian, Fairfield, Iowa

Belltown Design LLC

This sparsely furnished space lets the architecture speak for itself. A blue painted room to unwind and relax in. Queen Anne Victorian, Fairfield, Iowa. Belltown Design. Photography by Corelee Dey and Sharon Schmidt.

WIMBLEDON FAMILY HOUSE

STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

The ground floor of the property has been opened-up as far as possible so as to maximise the illusion of space and daylight. The two original reception rooms have been combined to form a single, grand living room with a central large opening leading to the entrance hall. Victorian-style plaster cornices and ceiling roses, painted timber sash windows with folding shutters, painted timber architraves and moulded skirtings, and a new limestone fire surround have been installed in keeping with the period of the house. The Dinesen douglas fir floorboards have been laid on piped underfloor heating. Photographer: Nick Smith

Chic Victorian

Coddington Design

The living room is home to a custom, blush-velvet Chesterfield sofa and pale-pink silk drapes. The clear, waterfall coffee table was selected to keep the space open, while the Moroccan storage ottomans were used to store toys and provide additional seating. Photos: Caren Alpert

Duke Street, Alexandria

Dennison and Dampier Interior Design

Living room
Mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Baltimore with no tv, blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Chicago Traditional Residence

ASI Interiors

Large traditional formal enclosed living room in Chicago with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Victorian Living Room

Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Portland with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Belfast Victorian Home

Cher Simpson Watt Interiors

Victorian sitting room transformation with bespoke joinery and modern lighting. Louvre shutters used to create space and light in the sitting room whilst decadent velvet curtains are used in the dining room. Stunning artwork was the inspiration behind this room.

Edwardian home

Vignette Interiors

Edwardian living room transformed into a statement room. A deep blue colour was used from skirting to ceiling to create a dramatic, cocooning feel. The bespoke fireplace adds to the modern period look.

River Forest Victorian

Megan Opel Interiors

Traditional formal enclosed living room in Chicago with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Classic Victorian - Ascot Vale

White Pebble Interiors

Inspiration for a traditional enclosed living room in Melbourne with a music area, red walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Victorian Revival

Watson & Co

Design ideas for a traditional formal living room in Denver with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

8106 Chalk Knoll Drive

Julie Mack Realtor

Listen to the crackle of a fire and the keys of a piano.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Austin with a music area, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Iridescent Fireplace Surround

Pewabic

Design ideas for a traditional formal enclosed living room in Detroit with carpet, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

All Fireplace Surrounds Victorian 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 Victorian 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 Victorian living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which Victorian 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 Victorian 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 Victorian 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 Victorian 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.