Cozy living room ideas

Living room ideas

Room-by-Room: Beachy Style

Idea House Balcony

Welcome to the Coastal Living Tidewater Landing Idea House, where our team created almost 7,000 square feet of inspirational spaces just steps from the Chesapeake Bay.

Elegant Style

In the this living space, pale blue walls soothe the senses and act as a skylike backdrop for off-white furnishings. The upholsteries are soft colors in a variety of textures that give life and harmony to the room. 

Restful Retreat

A plush settee covered in resilient outdoor fabric invites homeowners to the master suite's sitting room. Beneath a bank of windows, a leather-topped, campaign-style desk and chair provide the perfect spot for gazing out over the bay. 

Casual Convenience

A cozy reading nook in this window-wrapped space features twin club chairs in a beachy plaid, a floor lamp with a striped silk shade, and a soft Berber wool rug. 

Red Hot

Geometric black-and-white fabric covers the queen-size bedframe in this guest suite. On each side, three-drawer, burnished leather chests trimmed in antique brass nailheads support contemporary glass bubble lamps with rust-red shades. 

Savvy Kitchen Space

Frameless cabinets with updated Shaker-style doors in two hues -- enamel-glazed latté above, and toffee-stained cherry below -- combine kitchen utility with low-key polish. 

Cooking Light Healthy FitHouse

Living Room

The true heart of the home, the great room connects the kitchen, front entry, dining room, and even most of upstairs. With plenty of natural light and a neutral color palette, the open floor plan makes for a casual and comfortable place for the entire family to enjoy. 

Kitchen

The open kitchen, located off the great room, makes the perfect spot for the home cook who wants to spend time in the kitchen and with the family. Because this kitchen was built to incorporate Universal Design principles, the appliances are lower, as is the kitchen island that doubles as workstation and dining counter. And all storage cabinets have easy-to-open drawer pulls. 

Master Bedroom

The spacious master suite was designed to be a tranquil retreat and act as a center of calm after a long day. Set apart from the other rooms, although it does open up onto the back patio/outdoor kitchen, the master bedroom functions as a private space in what otherwise is a large open home. 

Master Bath

The focal point of the master bath is the dual-sided fireplace, which connects the bath to the master bedroom. Set at the foot of the large soaking tub, the fireplace helps induce the feeling of serenity and escape, which echoes through the entire master suite. Subtle elements of Universal Design are also incorporated into this space: a wide-ledge tub, easy-to-turn-on faucets, and seamless flooring transitions. 

Breakfast Nook

Located between the garage entrance and the kitchen, this breakfast nook makes the perfect spot for homework or casual family meals. Built-in storage helps keep this high-traffic area clutter-free. A sliding-glass door provides natural light and access to a small adjacent patio area with a potting table, an herb garden, and a dog run. 

Dining Room

Flexible seating is key in this dining room with its modern take on traditional Craftsman design. Clean lines and Asian-influenced lighting give an updated look, while elements such as built-in storage and window seats offer classic appeal. 

Universal Design Suite

Located on the first floor of the FitHouse, the guest suite accommodates visitors of varied ages and ability levels. Implementing the principles of Universal Design, the doorframes have been widened, the bed has been lowered, and the electrical outlets have been raised to 27 inches above the floor. “The concepts are about making life easier for everyone in a home as beautiful as it is functional,” says Usselman. 

Decorate an Open Floor Plan

Distinguish the area.

Even though you want room to breathe in an open floor plan, it's important to have pieces of furniture or architectural elements to identify each "room." Here, the fireplace and open shelving serve as a focal point and let you know you've arrived in the family room.

Use dividers.

With no walls to divide a space, find other pieces to take their place. Folding screens or a set of chairs with a table in between can do the trick.

Use color for flow.

Choose a colour palette to use throughout the floor plan, and stick to it. In this home, inspiration comes from the outdoors. Neutral greens, browns, and blues give the space continuity, while pops of color in accents and artwork add personal appeal. 

Make statements with lighting.

Another way to set a space apart from the other "rooms" in an open floor plan is to install a distinct light fixture. Instead of a chandelier, a large rectangular pendant dressed in a linen lampshade defines the dining area.

Open up to the outdoors.

Extend your open floor plan even further by incorporating an outdoor room. A covered porch or patio is extremely versatile -- add a table and chairs for dining, a hammock for relaxing, or even a set of appliances for cooking and grilling. The space will increase your square footage and give you more room for entertaining.