Welcome to our curated site of beautiful formal living rooms. Be sure to scroll through our hand-picked interior photos so you can read all about the designs. You can also click on any links to view additional designs and read about further architectural details and resources. We hope to inspire and ignite creativity on your design journey.
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1. Traditional Touches in this Formal Living Room
You’ll want to collapse onto one of those comfy slip-covered sofas, which create a lovely seating area around the fireplace in this traditional style home. The beautiful white coffered ceilings make the room seem spacious. Take a look at that stunning view out to the boat deck from the glass accordion doors. There really is no shortage of lighting with the wall sconces, floor lamp, and table lamps on the console behind the sofa.
2. Transitional Formality in this Bright Living Room
The vaulted ceilings in this formal living space make the layout feel larger. There is a mix of traditional and modern furniture throughout, which is why we consider it a transition design. The plush rug makes you want to take your shoes off and relax after a long day. The large molding throughout the room adds a bit of formality to the overall interior design.
Your eyes are automatically drawn upwards to this stunning coffered ceiling made of natural wood. It feels like a very cozy space, even though it has a very modern and airy design. I love the unique art and light furniture palette paired with the sheer curtains and white paneled walls. The large custom light gray sofa and armchairs create a welcoming space for entertaining guests.
4. Grand Contemporary Living Room with Earthy Vibes
Natural elements like the brick fireplace, wood cabinet, and woven ottoman add an earthy touch in this formal living room design. Roomy white sofas with pops of blue and orange complete this warm palette. It would be fun hanging out with the family playing games, sitting by the fireplace.
5. Traditional Meets Modern in this Cozy Formal Living Room
This spacious living room has an indoor-outdoor feeling with those large sliding doors that open onto the deck. I’m sure many summer days are spent with them open as everyone gathers around. The white sofa and woven high-back chair have traditional elements, while the coffee table and tiled fireplace have more modern touches. You feel rather cozy in here with the wood console table and warm throw blankets, even though the ceilings are vaulted.
6. Nature-Inspired Modern Formal Living Room
I love the massive stone fireplace in this formal living room, and although it’s more modern, it also feels very natural. The wood built-ins and shelving are a good combination of modern design and nature. The gray tuxedo sofa and matching armchairs provide ample seating, or you can curl up on the cozy shag rug. The best part of the room has to be the views, and nature is streaming through, creating a light and bright environment.
7. Modern Chic Formal Living Room
I absolutely love the open walls of this super chic modern living room. What an amazing room for entertaining your family or guests during the holidays. The light buttery leather sofa and armchairs paired with the caramel swivel chair create a cozy seating area around the show-stopping fireplace. The abstract wall art, plush rug, and white drapes add texture and dimension to complete the design.
8. Light & Minimal Formal Living Room
You can’t help but notice the incredibly vast open space in this bright formal living room. So much natural light flows throughout, and the outdoor tree feels like it is inside of the space. The living room furniture is very modern and minimal, and the space almost feels like a loft in NYC. I love the abstract art on the walls and the sleek 2-dimensional fireplace. The only thing missing here is a rug to add some warmth.
- Designed by: Thellend Fortin Architectes
9. Industrial Meets Nature in this Formal Living Room
The indoor-outdoor influence you get from this spacious industrial-designed room is beyond imagination. You almost feel like you’re living in a grown-up tree house. So many interesting things for your eyes to look at, like the beautiful pendant trio or the unique built-ins by the fireplace and behind the sofa. I imagine the leather lounge accent chairs are really comfy, and I’m sure you can turn them around to stare outside all day long.
- Designed by: Thellend Fortin Architectes
10. Transitional Contemporary-Inspired Formal Living Room
Pops of color are injected in all the right places in this cozy transitional and contemporary living room. The oversized sectional sofa provides plenty of seating with the addition of two armchairs. The colorful stripe rug brings a cheerful tone into the space and the colorful art above the concrete fireplace. I love the detail of the firewood cubby on the right side of the built-ins. My only complaint is that it appears they didn’t finish accessorizing the shelves.
- by: LLI Design
11. Eclectic High-Rise Formal Living Room
I love that this eclectic formal living room in a modern high-rise apartment is situated so it overlooks the vast city. Can you even imagine the view at night with all those lights? The unique art combined with the solid wood ceiling and elegant chandelier all come together to create an eclectic design. There are so many textures and layers to this room including the jute rug, formal armchairs, and large sectional sofa.
- Designed by: Sanders Architecture
12. Formal Living Room Ski-Chalet with Industrial Roots
It’s like your own personal ski chalet with incredible mountain views. You almost don’t know where the house ends, and the mountains begin. There is a really cool mix of nature, industrial and modern design in this living room idea. Catch me lounging all day on the massive custom sofa staring at the snow-capped mountains. Plenty of storage for wood under that incredible metal and stone fireplace; you’ll never get cold.
- Designed by: Skylab
13. Mid-Century Living Room Meets the Mountains
With the combination of Mid-Century and rustic elements the interior designer has created an eclectic feel in this formal living room. I love the juxtaposition of the brick floor and the wood ceiling paired with the classic Eames lounge chairs and arc floor lamp. The vintage rugs add warmth to the room , and the wall of windows allows light to stream in continuously. It appears that the room just extends the length of the house, which would make for an entertainer’s dream.
- Designed by: Zanon Architetti Associati
14. Classic Traditions in this Formal Living Room
Beautiful molding around the fireplace and tray ceiling really captures the essence of a classic traditional living room. You feel a sense of calm and relaxation in this space. The cozy grey sofa and armchair in the corner provide ample seating. The tufted ottoman can double as a coffee table or additional seating if necessary. The addition of art greenery and lamps complete the overall design.
Stark minimalism in this monochromatic Scandinavian-style living room. A mix of chair shapes and tables throughout this space almost gives it an eclectic feel, but the monochromatic color scheme keeps it simple. I appreciate the small touches of blue in the lamp and accessories and the chic vibe of the cow-hide area rug. I would have probably added a semi-flush pendant light in the ceiling to complete the design.
16. Classic Shabby Chic Formal Living Room
This is a great example of a shabby chic design with all the white fabric and rustic wood elements. The room feels very cozy with a light and breezy element, and the seating seems super comfy. The wood box appears to represent a fireplace; however, you couldn’t actually burn wood in there. Adding throws, pillows , and accessories creates a really homey space.
17. Transitional and Modern-Style Formal Living Room
The highlight of this formal living room is the built-in shelving units flanking the stone fireplace. The furniture placement is great and creates a cohesive seating space. I love all the lighting additions, including the canned spotlight over the built-ins. It’s all accessorized perfectly, and I almost feel like I’m in a model home.
18. Halston-Inspired Modern Formal Living Room
If the clothing designer Halston was still alive, I imagine his idea of a living room would look something like this. I feel like I’ve stepped back into the 1970s in this chic stylized space. I love all wood elements and architectural design on the walls which extends all the way to the ceiling. The large white sofas provide ample seating, as well as the caramel lounger and floor pillows. Lots of overhead lighting all around and a projector in the ceiling, which I assume projects movies onto the opposite wall.
19. Grand and Elegant Formal Living Room
Loads of decorating ideas in this elegant formal living room design. The sheer grandness of the ceiling creates the illusion of an even larger space. Matching patterned sofas paired with a velvet brown sofa offer plenty of seating. The Persian-style area rug adds warmth to the large room , and all the white molding and pillars make you feel like you stepped back in time.
20. Country Charmed Living Room with Traditional Touches
The baby blue painted walls create a cozy space for this country-inspired formal living room. From the rustic wood door and matching wood floors to the patterned drapes, you feel like you’ve stepped into a charming cottage. However, traditional elements include the curved arm sofa, upholstered ottoman, and decorative wall mirror. The only thing that strikes me as odd is the modern globe lamp on the side table; it’s too modern for this space and seems out of place.
21. Indoor-Outdoor Formal Living Room
You’ll feel like you’re on vacation every day in this spacious modern formal room. The indoor-outdoor living is breathtaking and the spaces flow seamlessly. I love the monochromatic color palette for all the furniture and accessories, and it creates a soothing and relaxing design. The massive built-in sofa surrounding the entire living space is a genius no-fuss design element. Imagine the parties you could have here, with drinks flowing and music playing all night long.
22. Contemporary Living Room with a Penthouse View
Stunning penthouse views of the ocean from this formal living room. Gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows surround this contemporary-designed space. Loads of seating to choose from with the many sofas and comfortable armchairs. A large Greek key-style area rug and the geometric wall screen add pattern and texture. I can’t quite make out the massive light fixture hanging from the ceiling, but I imagine it’s a spectacular addition to the decor.
23. Modern and Minimal Formal Living Room
You can’t help but look up at the beautiful wood-vaulted ceiling and admire just how spacious this formal living room feels. The simple color palette and minimal furniture allow you to relax and enjoy life as you gaze out into the water through the glass doors. I love the architectural detail of the fireplace and the carved wood art hanging above. No lamps are needed because you’ve got light streaming through the windows all day long.
Related: White Modern Formal Living Room Ideas | White Formal Living Room Ideas | Living Rooms With Dark Wood Floors | Living Rooms with Mirrors | Living Rooms with Big Windows
Please see our gallery featuring 22 stunning living room flooring ideas.
