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10+ Living Room Design Ideas You’ll Love

By Talia Hart On

Whether you live in a compact condo or a sprawling three-storey home, it’s safe to say that you have a designated living area for entertaining and unwinding.

If you’re designing a new living room, or you’re looking for an update for your existing space, these gorgeous living areas might spark some inspiration. From gallery walls to fireplace mantels, see what’s inspiring our decorating lately. Scroll down for 10+ living room design ideas you’ll love!

In this light and airy living room designed by Jamie Deck, two narrow windows sub in for built-ins to flank an arched fireplace. “The arched fireplace is a nice little feature to make the space feel aged or from another era,” says Jamie. A Serge Mouille-inspired ceiling pendant gives the room a distinct presence in the open-concept home.

  • Photographer Tina Kulic
  • Designer Shift Interiors

If you’re designing a beach house living room, take cues from this modern PEC home. Instead of classic built-ins, the design team placed them side by side and flush with the wall for a cool Scandinavian look.

  • Photographer Valerie Wilcox
  • Designer Interior: Jennifer Ferreira; Design-Build: Structural Anomaly

House & Home July/August 2022

To mitigate the distraction of a TV screen  in your living room, consider using the blank white space around your television as an opportunity to hang a gallery wall, as seen in food blogger Olivia Ribas’s space.

  • Photographer Orsi Panos
  • Designer Patrick Biller

House & Home March 2022

Forgo a typical sectional or armchair and get creative with your living room seating. In this gorgeous Connecticut home designed by Monica Fried, jewel-toned curvy sofas in luxe velvet fabric have mesmerizing impact.

  • Photographer Nicole Frazen
  • Designer Monica Fried

House & Home June 2022

Wood and charcoal tones punctuate this living room, creating a calming, zen effect. The fireplace surround is the focal point, which was created from Nero Assoluto granite and rift-cut European oak.

  • Photographer Connie Braemer
  • Designer Connie Braemer

House & Home September 2022

Designer Mazen El-Abdallah of Mazen Studio helped his client overhaul a boxy condo into a cool and curated home. In the living room, mid-century-inspired lighting, walnut furniture and plenty of plants breathe life into the once builder-basic room. “I’ve always wanted a New York–style condo with European flair,” says the homeowner.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer Mazen El-Abdallah

When it came to bringing her client’s Victorian house to present day, designer Sam Sacks  knew it would be a challenge to seamlessly meld the new addition and the old house, with all its history. “My inspiration was a modernized Brooklyn brownstone,” says Samantha. “I wanted that juxtaposition of handsome — the black steel mullioned doors are an example of that industrial vibe — against ornate Victorian elements like the plaster ceiling medallions.”

  • Photographer Lauren Miller
  • Designer Samantha Sacks

House & Home September 2022

If you’re looking to achieve character without color, take cues from this compact living room designed by Collective Studio. The Toronto-based design firm is known for using earthy palettes, loads of texture and shapely details, all of which are encompassed in this cool and compact living room.

  • Photographer Lauren Miller
  • Designer Alana Firestone and Jordy Fagan of Collective Studio

House & Home April 2022

Designer Andi Wheelband of Two Birds Design wanted to pay homage to this home’s heritage while infusing it with modern updates and the homeowner’s South African roots. The living room reflects the look with its unexpected mix of Victoriana, chic minimalism and a few family heirlooms.

  • Photographer Lauren Miller
  • Designer Andi Wheelband (Two Birds Design) Architecture: Perspective Views

House & Home April 2022

In Karine Vanasse’s Eastern Townships farmhouse, neutral furnishings, textiles and walls serve a blank canvas. “One of the reasons why we planned for white walls on the main floor is that the art stands out, like a gallery,” says the actress. In the cozy living room, a black marble fireplace and vintage-inspired art becomes the focal point.

  • Photographer Maxime Desbiens
  • Designer Audreé Kemp Bélanger

House & Home April 2022

In an open-concept space, it can be challenging to create distinct zones, but this hardworking living room does it subtly and effectively. Decorator and blogger Tim Lam managed to fit a sofa, reading nook and work space into his one-dimensional living room, by layering the space with texture, pattern, art and lighting.

  • Photographer Stephani Buchman
  • Designer Tim Lam

House & Home September 2022