20 Sunken Living Room Design Ideas

These sunken living rooms keep design on the down low, without compromising on style.

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November 30, 2020

By: Kamron Sanders

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Photo By: Design 4 Corners

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Clever Concepts

This stunning open-concept home in Bali utilizes several clever concepts to define the living room from the rest of the home, while maintaining an open feel. The sunken space is constructed completely out of concrete, contrasting the warm woods surrounding it. To further outline the area, integrated planters establish a border, while keeping a low profile.

See More Photos: Beautiful Bali Home Filled With Plants

From: Design 4 Corners

Natural Influences

The open-plan living area of this imaginative Italian villa honors Mother Nature with a fun wooden tree climbing up the walls and across the ceiling. The green sofas give further nod to the home’s treehouse vibes.

See More Photos: Waterfront Homes: Italian Villa With Ocean Views

From: Immobilsarda

Elegantly Eclectic

This eclectic Brooklyn apartment was once an 1850s Gothic-style church. The building’s various levels made a sunken living room a no-brainer and the designers at LABLstudio opted for decor that made the space as quirky as the former church’s architecture.

See More Photos: Big City Digs: Brooklyn Church Turned Condo

From: LABLstudio

Divide and Conquer

A black and gold railing separates this sunken living room from the dining room area above. The divided spaces are further established by the sharp contrast of the chosen paint colors, creating an art-like, framed effect on the upper space.

See More Photos: Colorful, Modern Home

From: Ann Lowengart

Sunken Sitting

Two steps down from the formal living room is a cozy sunken sitting area that opens to an outdoor entertaining space. Matching chaises longues invite lazy afternoon relaxing and make the space feel like a hidden, romantic retreat.

From: Sire Design

Great Indoor Flow

The sunken design of the living room in HGTV's Urban Oasis 2018, makes the space feel bigger and creates an easy transition to the deck and backyard outside. This point of view, in the sunken area, offers a particularly attractive look at the home's kitchen and dining room.

See More Photos: Tour HGTV Urban Oasis 2018

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Bench Seating

This sunken living room features built-in bench seating, providing more room for guests and gives a solution for that awkward nook next to the stairs.

See More Photos: Oceanfront Home With Airy Transformation

From: Blackband Design

Connected Spaces

This sunken living room, seen on HGTV's Home Town, is designed to be a warm and cozy extension of the home's kitchen and dining area. Though sunken, the space is still connected to the kitchen, yielding a cohesive and open design.

Colorful Accessories

This eclectic, sunken living room is filled with color. Rather than paint the space, designer Hillary Thomas chose colorful books, art, furniture and decorative pieces to pop in the neutral space and highlight its unique architectural features.

See More Photos: Colorful Designer Furniture

From: Hillary Thomas

Soaked in Sun

The vaulted ceilings in this living room help the space feel like one large room. Floor-to-ceiling picture windows surround the sun-drenched sunken living room, making it the ultimate spot to unwind.

See more photos: Oceanfront Home With Airy Transformation

From: Blackband Design

Step Into Color

Since the French doors in this space lead directly to the back patio, the family wanted a color palette that reflected the outdoors. Blue is the prominent color for the curtains and the upholstery, while greens accent the space, creating a mirror of the color seen just outside.

No Ceilings on Design

If the sunken living room weren't enough, the extension of the ceiling up through the second story of the home makes the space feel extra open and airy. White ceilings, walls and furniture let the wood and iron architectural details shine.

WATCH THE VIDEO: Designing With Neutrals

From: First Team Estates

The Best Angle

The sectional in this sunken living room is angled to take-in the outdoor view through the large picture window. The iron railings allow some separation from the rest of the room, without make the spaces seem totally disconnected.

From: Bill Bocken

Luxurious Indoor/Outdoor Living

At first glance, this sunken seating area looks as if it’s just an extension of the luxurious living room behind it. This design magic is due to the vanishing glass that makes this seamless indoor/outdoor living a possibility.

From: South Coast Architects

Think Outside the Box

In this contemporary and industrial space, the gorgeous concrete floor in the foyer wraps around the wall to form a countertop in the sunken living room. Simple, out of the box ideas, like this, make all the difference when giving a home character and charm.

See More Photos: Contemporary Family Home With Bright Blue Accents

From: Kristianne Watts

Washed in White

Though sunken, this living space is packed with light, creating an airy and open living area. The walls and ceilings are painted white, while a touch of coastal flair can be seen in the pops of blue throughout.

See more photos: Eclectic California Home Features Chic Blue & White Palette

From: Blackband Design

Design in Mind

The standalone fireplace with a geometric appeal, integrated shelving and a glowing ceiling light installation make this sunken living room one of a kind. Simple furniture and large format artwork let the space’s design take center stage.

Take a Seat

Stone columns and earthy floor tiles carry a Mediterranean feel into the sunken living room of this Laguna Beach beauty. Here, a cushioned chaise and leather ottoman invite the owners to put their feet up and enjoy the stunning views the space has to offer.

See More Photos: Waterfront Homes: Sun-Soaked Villa in Laguna Beach

From: First Team Estates

Funky Fresh

In this funky sunken living room, a free-form banquette provides plenty of seats for entertaining. The bright orange throw pillows, cushioned seats and shag rug add a playful pop of color against the white tile and neutral textured walls.

See More Photos: Eclectic Residence Boasts Bold, Vintage Details

From: Alain Pinel Realtors

Keep It Cozy

In the spacious sunken living room, sit back on the bespoke furniture, warm yourself by the suspended fireplace and enjoy the majestic mountain views that surround you. The sunken aspect allows for greater views than a standard floor could.

20 Sunken Living Room Design Ideas

Related To:

Shop This Look

Clever Concepts

Natural Influences

Elegantly Eclectic

Divide and Conquer

Sunken Sitting

Great Indoor Flow

Bench Seating

Connected Spaces

Colorful Accessories

Soaked in Sun

Step Into Color

No Ceilings on Design

The Best Angle

Luxurious Indoor/Outdoor Living

Think Outside the Box

Washed in White

Design in Mind

Take a Seat

Funky Fresh

Keep It Cozy

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