Contemporary living room
Large transitional enclosed living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor and wallpaper.

Forest Lodge Project

Designer Sparks Interiors

A view from the dinning room through to the formal lounge
Traditional open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround and black floor.

Bright and Airy South Charlotte Home

Dwell by Cheryl Interiors

Design ideas for a large transitional formal enclosed living room in Charlotte with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Great Room

O’Hara Interiors

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | Troy Thies, Photography | MDS Remodeling, Home Remodel | 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 info about our work: design@oharainteriors.com

Our Work

Apex Custom Fabrication

Large contemporary enclosed living room in Toronto with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and recessed.

Creighton Woods

Judith Balis Interiors

I used soft arches, warm woods, and loads of texture to create a warm and sophisticated yet casual space.
Design ideas for a mid-sized country living room in Boise with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Gillespie Park

Cairn

Peter Landers
Mid-sized transitional living room in London with pink walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Living Room - Center Hall "Glamonial"

Hierarchy Architecture + Design, PLLC

Lavish Transitional living room with soaring white geometric (octagonal) coffered ceiling and panel molding. The room is accented by black architectural glazing and door trim. The second floor landing/balcony, with glass railing, provides a great view of the two story book-matched marble ribbon fireplace. Architect: Hierarchy Architecture + Design, PLLC Interior Designer: JSE Interior Designs Builder: True North Photographer: Adam Kane Macchia

Edina Elegance

RLH Studio

Spacecrafting Photography
Large traditional formal enclosed living room in Minneapolis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and exposed beam.

Del Mar Model - Summerwood Estates

Angela Arnone-Orel,

This is an example of a transitional open concept living room in Kansas City with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Asheville Retreat

B.O.B. - Beyond Ordinary Boundaries Architecture

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Richmond with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Liseter Weatherstone

Mary Cook

Taylor Photography
Inspiration for a traditional living room in Philadelphia with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Interior Renovations

Narratif

Photo: Stacy Vazquez-Abrams
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Toronto with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and a stone fireplace surround.

Mount Baker Historic Craftsman

Board & Vellum

Photography by Miranda Estes
Design ideas for a mid-sized arts and crafts enclosed living room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

COZY CITY HOME

HARRISON FAE DESIGN

Photo of a large country open concept living room in Toronto with pink walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor, vaulted, exposed beam and wood.

Eastlake Houseboat

K&L Interiors

Inspiration for a small beach style open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, wood, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Drama in Black and White

Pineapple House Interior Design

Pineapple House creates style and drama using contrasting bold colors -- primarily midnight black with snow white, set upon dark hardwood floors. Upon entry, an inviting conversation area consisting of four over-sized swivel chairs upholstered in taupe mohair surround the parlor's white painted brick fireplace. Their electronics and entertainment center are hidden in two washed oak cabinets.

Moody Blues

Laura Lee Home

A console with upholstered ottomans keeps cocktails at the ready while adding two additional seats. A gold starburst mirror reflects light into the moody bar area of the room. Vintage glasses mimic the blue and green theme.

MVA | ARRIVABENE

FAR | Architettura & Project Management

Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Rome with white walls, marble floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and white floor.

Bayadere Newport Beach

William Guidero Planning and Design

Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

All Fireplace Surrounds Black Living Room Design Photos

A living room, often referred to as a lounge room in Australia and New Zealand, is the hub of the home. If you only have one living room in the house, it’s likely to serve multiple purposes: be it a place to watch TV, play games, spend quality time with family or hang out with friends. If you have the luxury of two living areas, one is usually a formal living room or lounge room, reserved for reading, relaxing and entertaining. A successful living room design is inviting, has enough seating for the whole clan – a comfortable couch is a must – and encourages conversation. Browse photos on Houzz for living room layouts, furniture and decor, and strike up a conversation with the interior designers or architects of your favourite picks. For even more living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which living room layouts will work best for you?

Every living area will have design challenges. A long, narrow lounge room, for example, risks looking like a hallway if furniture is lined up against the walls. Instead, opt for small furniture items, like a cosy two-seater couch, and create various focal points throughout the space. In square living rooms, a symmetrical layout encourages a formal setting. Place seating on either side of the room, with a focal point in the middle to pull the room together. For a truly intimate vibe, replace your couch with some occasional chairs positioned around a coffee table or ottoman. This will make the main focus conversation. An open-plan home – one where the lines are blurred between kitchen, dining and living – may require a layout that focuses on definition. You’ll want to make sure furniture doesn’t block the flow between spaces, and instead use something like an area rug to create zones.

How can you decorate your living room?

The living room can be a place in which to show off your personality, but if you want a timeless living room scheme, stick to neutral walls, couches and ottomans. Colour can be added through accessories, and is a lot more interchangeable! Rugs, cushions and throws are great for adding colour, while mirrors, lamps and ceiling lights will set the mood. Make your living room unique by including family heirlooms and photos. For a polished look, try creating a coffee table vignette – you could use books as pedestals or group items together on a tray. Try adding a vase, a mixture of round and rectangular objects and some books.

What are some small living room ideas?

Small living room designs can be tricky to work with, but aren’t doomed to fail. Often, you just have to get creative with furniture. An open-back chaise can create a sense of spaciousness, while small side tables paired together can substitute a coffee table. Even better, an ottoman can be used as a footrest, coffee table or extra seating. Big furniture items like the couch are best kept in light colours, and if there’s room for a coffee table, a glass-top one is best. If you have two spaces in one – perhaps your living room sits in front of a single-wall kitchen – make sure they are connected by decor, colour and style. For definition, just add area rugs, or use your couch as a dividing wall. It’s worth having a few furniture pieces, whether a bookshelf, couch or entertainment unit, in the same colour as the walls, too, so they blend into the room and visually expand the space.

Is open-plan living for you?

Today’s homes often embrace open-plan living, whereby the living room runs off the kitchen and/or dining areas. Open-plan living allows greater functionality, but can risk creating a vast, soulless space if not done right. To avoid a cavernous feel in an open-plan design, define areas with furniture, rugs and lighting, or consider using a wall divider. Also be sure to keep flooring, lighting and materials consistent throughout, for cohesiveness. Noise may be an issue – someone banging pots and pans while you’re watching TV, for example – so include lots of soft furnishings, such as rugs, curtains and couches to help absorb the noise. You will also need to factor in plenty of storage, so mess is kept at bay.