Great room layouts
20 Best Great Room Design Ideas
Etch Design Group
With multiple functions in its purview, it's safe to say that your great room works overtime to make your time at home the very best it can be. So, should you do something nice for it in return? Whether you just moved into a house with this big area or want to spruce up your current space, you might be itching to make your great room, well, great.
Fortunately, you've come to the right place. Below, we're sharing 20 gorgeous great room ideas, plus a few tips from interior designers on how to unlock your space's full potential. The concepts here run the gamut from illuminating light fixtures to cool color palettes, but one thing's for sure: you're a few clicks away from giving your great room the attention it deserves.
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Design: Christina Kim Design: Photo: Raquel Langworthy
Just because a great room is undeniably the most versatile room of the house doesn't mean it has to be devoid of personality. Instead, use this space to pay tribute to its historic roots.
"The client took part of a Vermont home from the 1800s and integrated it with a new structure," designer Christina Kim says. "Though I was not involved in the renovation part of this project, its rich history was always top of mind and we didn't want to lose that."
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Deeply Southern Home
Want to create well-defined areas within your great room? The magic lies in how you style it. In this space, Leslie of Deeply Southern Home added two rugs to create the illusion of a designated dining and living space. Rounding out the look are two modern chandeliers, which conveniently hang right over the each area.
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Jenn Pablo
Looking to up your great room's cozy factor? Experiment with different textiles. In this great room, designer Jenn Pablo juxtaposed soft cloths with distressed wood and rattan. Since she stuck with a neutral color palette, the space is bursting with charm without feeling over-the-top.
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Leah O'Connell Design
Speaking of rugs, why not layer them up as Leah O'Connell did in this space? The larger rug covers plenty of ground, while the top layer gives this great room a more grounded vibe.
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Kristin Dion
The great room is arguably the most-frequented area of any home, so why not beautify it with some great art?
"My DIY accent wall transformed our room from a big white rectangle to a cozy room for movies and board games," designer Kristin Dion shares. "I chose budget-friendly art to create a gallery wall and finished it off with two sconces I found on Amazon for $40."
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Massucco Warner
Why settle for one sitting area when you can have a few in your great room? We love how West coast-based design firm Massucco Warner added several couches, armchairs, and ottomans to this airy space. Whether you want to participate in family game night or have an intimate conversation in the corner, there's room for everyone_literally.
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Alexander Doherty Design
As this great room from New York-based designer Alexander Doherty proves, you can refresh your space without undergoing a pricey renovation. Sometimes, it can be as easy as adding a bold pop of color. The chartreuse coffee table breathes a new life into this neutral area. Speaking of which, here are more ways to decorate with the sunny shade.
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Alexander Doherty
Want to turn your great room into a "wow" factor? Paint your space a bright hue. White might be the go-to shade for most open-concept layouts, but this blue room by Doherty is making us want to explore the rest of the color wheel.
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Maite Granda
We don't know who needs to hear this, but your television should not be the focal point of your great room. Instead, schooch your screen one side of the space, opening up the are rest of the area for face-to-face interactions. Let this space from Maite Granda show you how it's done.
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Reena Sotropa
When a great room is so big, it can feel a little awkward to leave a big chunk of space bare. So, why not maximize your square footage with a table and some chairs?
Though this home has a formal dining room, Canadian designer Reena Sotropa added this second set and made the great room feel more welcoming in the process. And, let's be honest: it's likely this is where her clients gather for family meals, Zoom calls, and homework help.
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Design: M. Wilcox Design; Photo: Michael Hunter
A great room might be one, large space, but you can always break it up into smaller areas. Designer Monica Wilcox used a fireplace to create the illusion of separate spaces here, but you can always achieve the same look with a room divider or bookshelf.
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Etch Design Group
Or, if bookshelves and room dividers aren't your thing, create the illusion of a separate space with a sectional. Let this chill great room from Etch Design Group show you how it's done.
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Interiors by Karen B Wolf
What's black, white, and ridiculously chic all over? This great room by Karen B Wolf. This high-contrast duo is a timeless color palette that packs on the drama. To keep this space from feeling cold and sterile, the New Jersey-based designer added subtle patterns and brass accents.
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Interiors by Karen B Wolf
Consider a symmetrical layout the design equivalent to ASMR. In this gigantic great room, Wolf split the space with coordinating sofas, console tables, and blankets. Rounding out the space is colorful pillows and a book-clad coffee table, which gives an orderly layout a quirky edge.
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Sarah Fultz Interiors
Since the great room is where you spend most of your waking hours, shouldn't it be a reflection of your personality? Here, Sarah Fultz decked out the built-ins with framed pictures, tomes, and family trinkets.
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Design: Katie Martinez Design; Photo: Aubrie Pick
In case you didn't get the memo, a great room should have a lot more to offer than good looks.
Fortunately, designer Katie Martinez bridged the gap between form and function by adding these sleek floating shelves. The assortment of books and chopped firewood gives this great room a cozy touch.
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Erin Williamson
Want to embrace your bold side? Mix and match patterns, just like Erin Williamson did in this space. Here, the designer offset a vintage Turkish kilim with zesty throw pillows. The white walls and neutral furniture keep the space from veering into kitschy territory.
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Kendall Wilkinson
If you want to make your large great room feel a little cozier, consider moving your furniture. In this posh penthouse, San Francisco-based designer Kendall Wilkinson angled the sofas and armchairs facing each other to create an intimate conversation nook.
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Design: Pure Salt Interiors; Photo: Vanessa Lentine
Most design enthusiasts know that lighting, or lack thereof, can make or break a room's vibe.
But, physical light fixtures are just as important—especially in a great room.
Don't believe us? Just take a look at this space by Pure Salt Interiors. Not only does the varying pendants break up the open space, but it also draws the eye upward, creating the illusion of high ceilings.
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Rebecca Rollins
Just because a great room is the hardest working room in the entire house doesn't mean it has to be all because. Take a cue from designer Rebecca Rollins, who added a well-appointed pool table to this open space. Let the games begin!
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How to decorate the hardest working room in the house.
By Hadley Mendelsohn
Studio Life/Style
The great room is easily the hardest working room in the house, as its entire purpose to serve multiple key functions all in one shared space. The goal is to make everyday living just a little easier, and to make a communal space a little more enticing. As a result, they can present some extra design challenges. With more moving parts and pieces to the puzzle, great rooms are that much harder to decorate. Layout, color schemes, and scale... So if you're looking for some inspiration, keep reading for eighteen great rooms design ideas and decorating tips.
Alexander Design
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Pack It All In
In this beach house, designer Alexander Design made the family room feel upscale and sophisticated yet down to earth, livable, and coastal. This great room truly has it all, from a dining area to a formal hang out spot and even a pool table.
SIMON UPTON
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Give Each Zone Distinctive Qualities
Functioning as both the formal dining and living room, it's the ultimate entertaining space.
The massive blue carpet helps unify the space since it stretches from the eating zone to the living area. The darker dinning chairs and light sofa and coffee table, on the other hand, help to distinguish them from one another.
Leanne Ford Interiors
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Spread Things Out
Leanne Ford Interiors creates separate "rooms" defined by furniture groupings to make the great room feel both cohesive and functional. Each space stands its own while also working together for a harmonious whole. The kitchen blends in and disappears into the background while the dining nook and living rooms contrast in both color and design.
Anson Smart
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Use the Same Colors In Different Materials
Designed by Arent & Pyke, the icy gray marble material in the kitchen jumps into the living room in the form of a velvet texture-rich area rug in a similar gray hue. Then the light blush sofa beyond the kitchen is reflected in the rosy sheer curtains in the dining room.
The caramel leather dining chairs add some contrast without clashing with the aforementioned cohesion.
Studio Life/Style
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Make It Family-Friendly
For a space that is both cozy and timeless yet fun and contemporary, take note from this Studio Life/Style-designed great room. This layout is also perfect for a family since the adults can be in the kitchen while still being close to the kids.
2LG Studios
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Float Your Furinture
This may sound obvious, but in a great room, it's usually best to float your furniture. Resist the urge to push all of your furniture up against the walls—if you create space behind the furniture, it makes the room look wider than it is and helps separate the different areas based on function. In this living room designed by 2LG Studio, the the floating sofa separates the lounge area from the kitchen and dining space.
Simon Watson
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Evaluate Scale
You don't need a massive space to have a great room.
Indeed, sometimes you have to combine your dining and living spaces in apartments. To make it work, opt for a smaller bistro table and use a banquet on the other side of the kitchen island to work on a a sette for hanging out as well as a dining seat.
Dustin Askland
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Create Micro Levels
In an open floor plan space, make the sitting area feel like its own separate hangout zone by turning it into a sunken family room, i.e. a conversation pit. Designed by Elizabeth Roberts, this space feels like a private haven fit for big viewing parties thanks to the full carpeting and depressed flooring. The custom upholstering also speaks the warm tones of the nearby kitchen (like that gorgeous bench), as do the exposed beams, ensuring that it doesn't feel totally unconnected.
Anson Smart
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Use a Bright Rug
Draw the eye to the spaces you want to use for entertaining instead of the working space in the kitchen. In this great room designed by Arent & Pyke, an eye-catching orange rug gets the job done.
FRANCESCO LAGNESE
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Use Consistent Colors
Color climbs all the way up to the high rafters in this living room designed by Thomas Jayne and William Cullum. All together, the room feels traditional and formal, country chic and casual. And the color scheme is strict throughout.
Lisa Romerein
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Take It Outside
If you have the space for an outdoor area or want to revamp the pool house, use the same principles you'd use inside and take them outdoors. It'll be the perfect place for summer entertaining.
Lauren Bamford
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Separate With a Sofa
In a great room, layout is everything. The clean lines throughout this living room designed by Robson Rak make it hard not to feel relaxed just by looking at it. Even the detail and symmetry of the vertical window pane tracing down to the cushions of the sofa is soothing. Then the green nesting tables bring in some contrast with their rounded shape and varying heights.
The white painted shiplap walls make the space feel more livable and approachable.
Leanne Ford Interiors
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Conceal the Kitchen
A tight, neutral color scheme will ensure easy flow. If the open kitchen stands in full view of the entry and the main living areas like it does in this space designed by Leanne Ford, choose materials that won't distract and opt for integrated appliances and features.
Hecker Gethrie
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Stick to the Classics
Here's proof that minimalism doesn't equate to stark modern interiors. Elegant, simple, and right smack dab in the middle of modern and traditional, this great room designed by Hecker Guthrie is a jack of all trades. The classic layout promotes conversation and comfort white the island extension helps transition us from the kitchen to the living space.
Sara Tramp
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Don't Be Too Matchy-Matchy
Emily Henderson matched the throw pillows with the green cabinets in the kitchen, but that's about the only color consistency between the two "rooms.
" It's a great way to make sure they don't feel completely separate or incompatible but also not looking too matchy-matchy.
Studio Ashby
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Let Art Anchor the Space
Get inspired by a statement-making piece of artwork. In this great room designed by Studio Ashby, the gorgeous abstract painting infuses the entire space with color. The rest of the neutrals throughout the room complement the painting without competing with it.
Alexander Design
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Share the Light
One the greatest things about a great room is that it allows for shared light, especially in a wide-open loft space like this one designed by Alexander Design. Here's proof that minimalism doesn't equate to stark modern interiors. The gorgeous windows let the light pour in, adding warmth to the industrial environment.
Tom Ferguson
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Go All Out
If you're s maximalist at heart, you don't have to play it safe in the great room with neutrals. In this one designed by Arent & Pyke, the dapper Houndstooth sofa works well with the black media credenza in the distance as well as the pendants above the dining room, while the pistachio statement wall complements the color-blocked rug.
Minimalist Living Room Ideas for Peek Relaxation
Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.
90 photos of the best options and general principles of home design
In recent years, suburban construction has become very popular among urban residents. They try to move to suburban areas to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
Any country house can be made cozy and comfortable.
To do this, you should carefully consider the layout of rooms in a private house and create a suitable interior.
Review content:
- Development of the location of the rooms
- Bath and toilet
- Bedroom
- Children's room
- Kitchen
- Control and courtyard
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Before building a future house, you should develop a plan for the location of the rooms.
First you need to draw a draft. After that, seek the help of an architect who will help you draw up a more accurate plan and indicate the area of \u200b\u200beach room. In addition, he will advise the thickness of the bearing walls, the width of the corridors and talk about the nuances of building a private house.
Bathroom and toilet
In a private house, it is desirable to separate the bathroom from the toilet. Especially if a full-fledged family with children lives in it. Then one person will be able to take a shower, and another family member will be able to visit the bathroom at this time.
You can see plans for private houses and consider different ways of arranging a bathroom. If, nevertheless, these two rooms are combined, then some kind of partition should be made between them.
In the event that the toilet is a separate room, then no more than 2 square meters can be allocated for it. m. of space. A large area for this type of premises is not required.
But for the bathroom, you can make a room with an area of up to 10 square meters. m. It already depends on the imagination and needs of the residents.
Bedroom
It is recommended to place the bedroom on the sunny side of the building.
At the same time, for those who do not like to wake up early, it is possible to provide for the installation of the bed in such a place that in the morning the bright sun does not shine in the eyes. The area of the room is usually 15-20 square meters. m.
In two-story houses, it is advisable to make a bedroom on the second floor. This is due to the fact that this is a private room, so it should be placed away from guests and visitors to the house.
But if elderly people and all those who find it difficult to move will sleep in this room, it is better to make a bedroom on the first floor.
Children's room
When planning a children's room, you need to take into account that this room should be well lit.
Therefore, it is better to place it on the sunny side of the building. It should be located next to the bedroom so that you can quickly enter this room if necessary.
Kitchen
Modern design trends suggest combining the kitchen with the dining area. It is recommended to look at the photo of the layout of a private house on the Internet in order to choose the best accommodation option.
It is quite enough to plan a room of about 12 sq. m. m.
If you plan to make the dining room and kitchen two separate rooms, then their recommended area should be 8 and 10 square meters. m., respectively.
Attic
For a one-story house, the attic can be used as a guest room. It is also perfect for a child.
But when planning, you should carefully consider its location and choice of windows so that excess sunlight does not interfere with the stay of residents in this room.
The planning of windows in a private house is a responsible matter and it is better to entrust this matter to specialists.
It is advisable to make the central part of the room at least 2.5 meters in height for ease of movement.
Basement and courtyard
In some cases, the basement is a very useful space. Therefore, it is desirable to lay it in the project of the future building. It can face the courtyard or the upper room.
The layout of the courtyard of a private house should also be carefully thought out so that it is convenient to leave the house.
The basement can be equipped with a workshop, storage or cellar. Often it acts as a boiler room or a utility management unit.
It can be small in size and be located under one or two rooms, or occupy an entire floor.
Layout of the second floor
Bedrooms (most often two rooms are allocated for them) and children's rooms are usually placed on the second floor.
Also, to increase the comfort of living here, you can organize an additional bathroom and a bathroom. Moreover, a bathroom on the second floor can be placed above a similar room on the first floor, which will save on communications.
The second floor involves the construction of a staircase, which can become a real decoration of the house. It is necessary to think in advance what it will be.
If the house will be inhabited by children, the staircase must be made so that it is safe for children. To do this, you need to provide a minimum number of corners and appropriate railings.
In a one-story house, the size of the rooms from floor to ceiling should be about three meters. This is the best option that will be as practical and comfortable as possible.
If it is planned to build two floors, then it is better to make the height of the lower rooms 2.7 meters. This will save on building and finishing materials.
In addition, the height of the stairs will be slightly reduced, so it will be easier to climb to the second floor.
The layout of one-story private houses usually implies a floor-to-ceiling room size of about three meters. This is the best option that will be as practical and comfortable as possible.
Photo of the layout of a private house
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TOP-100 photos of the best ideas for private houses with different layouts
House planning - a simple instruction for beginners.
Photos, drawings, ready-made solutions and useful tips The decision to allocate the space of a private dwelling is a responsible matter. At this stage, not only the wishes of the owners regarding the location of residential areas are laid down, but the competent placement of communications is planned. An excellent layout of the house will combine the competent distribution of space, convenience and practicality.
You can start the process yourself, especially if the budget allows you to realize any idea. However, for the qualitative distribution of the available space, the correct assignment of the functional load and the combination of the above with the convenience of living, it is better to involve a professional.
Table of contents of the article:
Work rules
Planning in construction refers to the division of space during the construction phase. All subsequent changes refer to redevelopment. Therefore, in order to avoid costly adjustments in terms of time, effort and finances, a good layout of a private house should begin at the stage of laying the foundation.
This is necessary in order to initially lay the load-bearing walls and partitions. If the distribution of space is carried out independently, photos of the layout of the house from the network will be a great help. Here you can find several options for separating buildings of a particular type.
If a qualified worker is involved in the work, his task will be to combine the wishes of the owners of the dwelling and building codes. The final product of the work of a specialist will be:
- detailed communication diagram;
- drawing project.
Communications are engineering networks that ensure the life of the inhabitants of the dwelling. Electrical network, water supply and sewerage system.
The drawing must clearly take into account the dimensions of a private house and comply with the basic requirements for the construction of residential buildings.
So, taking into account the norms for the volume of clean air in the room (23 m3), it is necessary with special care to ensure the necessary footage, the level of ventilation.
Natural light sources are also important. Kitchen
The dimensions of the kitchen should be calculated based on how much furniture and household appliances are planned to be placed in it.
The best option for a private building is to combine two areas: cooking and dining. This increases the volume of the room with the benefit of functionality.
The optimal area for the kitchen is 10 m2. For a kitchen combined with a dining room, 15m2 is enough.
Toilet and bathroom
For a private building, where the installation of a sewer system is a real epic, it is important to use space and material wisely. For this reason, the toilet, bathroom and laundry (if one is allocated separately) are located next to the kitchen.
This placement allows you to comply with hygiene standards, highlighting a separate utility block. At the same time, there is a significant saving on the material and work on laying sewer pipes and water supply systems.
If each of the rooms is planned as separate, it is worth taking care of the appropriate footage. The minimum indicator in this case will be 5-6 m2.
Distribution of the area of houses of different types
Building bulky mansions that require huge expenditures of energy and resources to ensure their functioning is now too expensive. Taking into account the cost of construction and land for such a building - even more so.
At the same time, compact buildings that fit on small plots of land and combine all the areas necessary for comfortable living remain popular. It is in such buildings that the competent use of space is of paramount importance.
If we talk about the classification of private houses, we can distinguish two signs of division: number of storeys and size. The most common are compact one- and two-story buildings with an area of 6x6, 8x8 and 10x10 meters.
Given the limited space, a popular option is a building with an attic - a living space equipped under the roof.
Type 6x6
Planning a house 6 by 6 meters is a difficult task. After all, with small parameters, you need to place all the necessary zones and make the home comfortable for living.
Here it is advisable to place a kitchen / dining room and a bathroom with a toilet on the ground floor. The attic will play the role of a recreation room, which can be divided into a bedroom and leisure area (or a nursery). It will not be possible to single out more than two functional zones due to the dimensional characteristics of the room.
In some cases, homeowners may sacrifice an indoor toilet in favor of a wood-fired steam room. And the correction of needs is transferred to a structure such as a closet on a personal plot.
Type 8x8
When it comes to an area of 64 m2, the process of space distribution becomes not so complicated. So, the layout of the house 8 by 8 meters easily includes:
- entrance hall - 4 m2;
- bathroom - 8 m2;
- dining kitchen - 15 m2;
- bedroom-living room - 22 m2;
- nursery - 15 m2.
This is the distribution when planning a one-story house. If the presence of an attic is implied, redistribution will be required, taking into account the stairs (about 8 m2) leading up. Under the roof, two bedrooms of 20 m2 and 13 m2 can be freely accommodated.
With this footage, space planning for a two-story building can also be freely discussed. In this case, it is worth increasing the bathroom with toilet, dining room and hallway, as well as adding a storage room on the ground floor. A children's room, along with two bedrooms will be located on the second.
Type 10x10
An area of 10 by 10 meters is sufficient to accommodate all the necessary premises on one floor. The layout of such a house with an attic will increase the footage of the rooms or, if necessary, their number.
So, in addition to the standard set (kitchen, living room, nursery, bedroom, bathroom), you can allocate space for an office or a specialized place of rest.
If you move the nursery to the attic, you can equip a spacious steam room on the ground floor. The layout of a two-story house of similar footage can only be limited by hygiene standards and fire safety requirements. Otherwise, there is enough space to fulfill the wishes of the owner.
Placement on the first floor of the kitchen and dining room remains reasonable. Under the pantry in a dwelling with a large number of inhabitants, it is better to immediately take 6-9 4 m2. At the same time, the toilet and bathroom can be duplicated for greater comfort for residents.
When it comes to comfort, the needs of all occupants should be taken into account. So, the dimensions of the building make it possible to provide children of different sexes with separate rooms. This will be a significant plus when the children begin to grow up.
Downstairs bedrooms should be planned for the older generation.
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