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.

Wilderkill House Historical Preservation & Renovation

The Art of Building

Photo of a small traditional enclosed living room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Södra Storgatan 19A

Bjurfors Skåne

Bjurfors/ SE360
Photo of a small traditional enclosed living room in Other with white walls, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, light hardwood floors, no tv and beige floor.

Lake Champlain Shingle Style

Roundtree Construction

This is an example of a traditional formal living room in Burlington with white walls, medium hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

San Francisco Edwardian

Cathie Hong Interiors

We updated this century-old iconic Edwardian San Francisco home to meet the homeowners' modern-day requirements while still retaining the original charm and architecture. The color palette was earthy and warm to play nicely with the warm wood tones found in the original wood floors, trim, doors and casework.

Townhouse Past Recaptured

Decorations Lucullus

For Decorations Lucullus it’s always about listening to the client, but when the project is a historical property, it is about listening carefully to the spirit of the rooms as well. All style is part alchemy, a bit of conjuring and nerves of steel to accept what is honestly appropriate. These lovely old rooms had lived a very grand past. Miraculously the owner was open to the challenge of trying, just for fun, to see if that past could be recaptured without compromising present-day comforts. We all learned in the process that the old can be as luxuriously commodious as anything the “modern” can promise.

Linnéstaden, Prinsgatan 6

Entrance Fastighetsmäkleri

Inspiration for a traditional living room in Gothenburg with white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

St. Roch Cottage Renovation and Addition

Adamick Architecture

SNAP Real Estate Photography
Mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in New Orleans with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and no tv.

Victorian House Southfields

Town House Interiors

Lind & Cumings Design Photography
Photo of a traditional formal living room in London with white walls.

Living Room in Victorian House in Bristol

DHV Architects

Inspiration for a traditional living room in Other with white walls.

Antique Wooden Row House

Filament Architecture Studio, PLLC

Who says living in a vintage home is hard? We want to light a fire and open a book, or drink a glass of wine after the kids have gone to bed. Our client found a delicate mantel vintage decorative tiles and a metal insert which was paired with a light green tile surround. A custom built-in bookcase hides a heater and air conditioner. The plaster ceiling was lightly repaired to retain its imperfections. With the mid century furniture this is a space I want to live in.

Kensington Apartments United

TylerMandic Ltd

TV room / Snug and library Tyler Mandic Ltd
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in London with a library, white walls, carpet, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Kensington town house

VSP Interiors

Design ideas for a traditional formal living room in Dorset with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Grand Traditional Mansion in Fairfax, VA

Asta Homes

Asta Homes Great Falls, VA 22066
Design ideas for a traditional formal living room in DC Metro with white walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and white floor.

Victorian Workers Cottage Addition

Danny Broe Architect

Karina Illovska
Small traditional enclosed living room in Sydney with a library, a standard fireplace, white walls, light hardwood floors and a plaster fireplace surround.

Living / Dining Room

LLI Design

In the living and dining rooms new light greyed oak parquet floors and traditional white marble fireplaces were specified. Bespoke pale grey lacquer joinery was designed and installed either side of the fireplaces in both rooms, incorporating plenty of storage, with asymmetrical shelving which was lit with individual accent in joinery spotlights. At the side of one of the fireplaces a black steel log store was incorporated. Both the dining and living rooms had the original ornate plaster ceilings, however they had been painted white throughout and were visually lost. This feature was brought back by painting the plaster relief in close, but contrasting, tones of grey to emphasis the detail.

Place for life

Studio 68/32

This is an example of a large traditional loft-style living room in Other with a library, white walls, painted wood floors and brown floor.

Grand Old Dame gets a restoration! after

Alpha 1 Builders

Formal lounge so elegant. From velvet plush couches to a cast iron fireplace and chandelier. The moulding and ceiling details perfect the space. Beautiful velvet navy drapes frame the original sash windows in the best way, breaking up the light bright backdrop. Touches of traditional and contemporary are the key here.

TRAVERS

株式会社 Anonimo Design

Photo of a traditional living room in Tokyo with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Brilliant Drapery Design Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Los Angeles with white walls, ceramic floors, no fireplace, no tv and beige floor.

Victorian Living Room Design Photos with White Walls

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.