In recent years, living room design has moved toward a more casual and comfortable style and away from the stuffy “drawing room” designs of past centuries.  In fact, in many homes the living room serves as both the entertaining space for guests as well as the family room.

Our gallery, while it includes contemporary living rooms on the formal side, you’ll notice that while these rooms are more often than not from luxury homes, they’re designed to be used regularly, are inviting and comfortable… many featuring plush sofas, sectionals and comfortable armchairs.  Nevertheless, the move toward a more casual living space hasn’t diminished the aesthetic appeal.  In fact, I much prefer an inviting and comfortable living room over a stuffy and formal space loaded down in ornate design and uncomfortable furniture.

Home Design Lover presents the most luxurious ideas!

The crisp white couches and the silver mirrors are pure glamour!

The clean and sheer drapery is indeed classy and sophisticated. The black and white center table is highlighted because of the neutral color of the suede living room set.

The ornate window surround adds glamour to the plain window. From the curtains to the fabric of the Louis chairs and sofas look incredibly rich in tradition and history!

Home Stratosphere is full of remarkable contemporary living rooms ideas.

Open space living area with living room and dining room. Floor is tile with a rug and color scheme is in earth tones.

Living room wing with windows on three sides. Walls in white with white furniture and fireplace.

2 story great room with white fireplace, mezzanine looking down on living room, large rug and elegant dining room furniture (I particularly like the white armchairs).

Open concept home with large living room as the center of it decorated with round furniture. Room includes television and fireplace. Wood flooring throughout.

Predominantly white living room design with modern gas fireplace framed with windows. Wood is dark wood topped with a large patterned rug.

Elle Decor has found for you a fantastic list of celebrity living rooms from which you may also take some interesting ideas.

Donatella Versace’s Milan Home

With a rich golden palette, intricate coffered ceilings, and geometric floor tiles, Donatella Versace’s living room in Milan is anything but minimalist. A pair of massive Empire-style urns flank a painting from the school of Panini, and the graphic sofas are from the Versace Home Collection.

Cindy Crawford and Range Gerber’s Malibu Home

With oversized windows and relaxed furnishings, the living room in Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber’s Malibu, California, home, is an inviting retreat.

To conclude, living rooms can be incredibly beautiful in both big and small spaces.  In fact, a large cavernous space doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a nicer room.  Our gallery features many smaller living rooms that are beautiful, functional and no less inviting than the larger rooms.