David Duncan Livingston
Example of a beach style living room design in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Family room - mid-sized cottage light wood floor family room idea in Phoenix with a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

Family room - country light wood floor and beige floor family room idea in Austin with a bar, white walls and a corner fireplace

Large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Chicago with gray walls, no fireplace and a media wall

Living room - large contemporary formal and open concept dark wood floor living room idea in Los Angeles with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Inspiration for a transitional open concept light wood floor and brown floor family room remodel in Denver with white walls, a tile fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a ribbon fireplace

Large transitional underground light wood floor, brown floor and brick wall basement photo in Chicago with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace

Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in Nashville with white walls

Large master dark wood floor bedroom photo in Minneapolis with white walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

It’s been said that when you dream about a house, the basement represents your subconscious level. Perhaps that was true in the past, when basements were often neglected. But in most of today’s new builds and remodels, lower levels are becoming valuable living spaces. If you’re looking at building or renovating, opening up that lower level with sufficient light can add square footage and value to your home. In addition, having access to bright indoor areas can help combat cabin fever, which peaks in late winter. Looking at the photos here, you’d never know what you’re seeing is a lower level. That’s because a smart builder knew that bringing natural light into the space was key. Our job, in furnishing the space, was to make the most of that light. The off-white walls and light grey carpet provide a good base. A grey sectional sofa with clean, modern lines easily fits into the spacious room. It’s an ideal piece to encourage people to spend time together. The strong, forgiving linen resists staining, and like a blank canvas this true neutral allows for accessorizing with various throws and pillows depending on the season. The cream-colored throw echoes the light colors in the space, while the nubby pillow adds a textured contrast.

In their once traditional living room, we chose contemporary furniture with rich fabrics and luxe details. A warm fire draws one into the space while the pops of fuchsia make the room feel playful and fresh. Photographer: Mali Azima Stylist: Eleanor Roper

White painted brick fireplace in the luxurious master suite of this Street of Dreams Home 2013. With the brick mantle, white wood built in surrounding the fireplace and a tv above this master suite is fully complete.

This tiny home is located on a treelined street in the Kitsilano neighborhood of Vancouver. We helped our client create a living and dining space with a beach vibe in this small front room that comfortably accommodates their growing family of four. The starting point for the decor was the client's treasured antique chaise (positioned under the large window) and the scheme grew from there. We employed a few important space saving techniques in this room... One is building seating into a corner that doubles as storage, the other is tucking a footstool, which can double as an extra seat, under the custom wood coffee table. The TV is carefully concealed in the custom millwork above the fireplace. Finally, we personalized this space by designing a family gallery wall that combines family photos and shadow boxes of treasured keepsakes. Interior Decorating by Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating. Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography

Dan Cutrona
Example of a mid-sized beach style open concept light wood floor living room design in Boston with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

To make it practical (for everyday living) and spunky (to fit the homeowners’ personalities), we used dark upholstery and whimsical art in this sitting room. Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design | Paul Finkel Photography Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

A dramatic transformation in an early 20th century home brought into the new millennium by a young and eclectic owner. A new fireplace adds to the warmth and ambiance to a space filled with warm spice colors and African pieces collected through many travels. The clean face gas burning unit is the Bayport model from Kozy Heat finished with a Beveled front in Rust. The brick is new to the home and is painted white to limit the rustic feel but still maintain it's classic look. A slate hearth and a reclaimed wood mantel from a 100 year old barn compliment the design and anchor the design in tradition.

Lisa Petrole
Trendy open concept porcelain tile living room photo in Sacramento with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace and a metal fireplace

27 Diamonds is an interior design company in Orange County, CA. We take pride in delivering beautiful living spaces that reflect the tastes and lifestyles of our clients. Unlike most companies who charge hourly, most of our design packages are offered at a flat-rate, affordable price. Visit our website for more information: www.27diamonds.com All furniture and drapery can be custom made to your specifications and shipped anywhere in the US (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). Contact us for more information.

Mirador Builders
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless open concept brick floor family room remodel in Houston with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv