The living room in this mid-century remodel is open to both the dining room and kitchen behind. Tall ceilings and transom windows help the entire space feel airy and open, while open grained cypress ceilings add texture and warmth to the ceiling. Existing brick walls have been painted a warm white and floors are old growth walnut. White oak wood veneer was chosen for the custom millwork at the entertainment center. Sofa is sourced from Crate & Barrel and the coffee table is the Gage Cocktail Table by Room & Board. Interior by Allison Burke Interior Design Architecture by A Parallel Paul Finkel Photography

Palo Alto, CA

The Right Touch Designs

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Appartement Parisien

Danila Design

Un canapé de trés belle qualité et dont la propriétaire ne voulait pas se séparer a été recouvert d'un velours de coton orange assorti aux coussins et matelas style futons qui sont sur la mezzanine.

VININGS PROJECT

MCM DESIGN LLC

This is an example of a contemporary living room in Atlanta with white walls, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, a brick fireplace surround and a standard fireplace.

Cornelia Street Chic Studio

JLA Designs

This is an example of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in DC Metro with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

LEDdrop® Lighting | LED Strip Lights + Aluminum Channels

Dropality LLC

Don't just throw LED strip lights everywhere. Stick them in LEDdrop channels for beautiful lighting ambiance. LEDdrop aluminum channels: the perfect companion to LED strip light installations.

Howth House Extension and Renovation

Shomera

This is an example of a contemporary living room in Dublin with a wood stove and a brick fireplace surround.

Windsor at Bay Colony, Remodel, Naples

BCB Homes, Inc.

Lori Hamilton
Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Miami with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Casa Santi

Francesca Anichini Studio

This is an example of an expansive contemporary open concept living room in Florence with a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

COLLEGE PARK | PRIVATE RESIDENCE

Steele Street Studios

Shannon Lazic
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Orlando with a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, white walls, a wall-mounted tv and medium hardwood floors.

Bluffview Contemporary

LRO Residential

Immagery Intelligence
This is an example of a large contemporary open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Dover Shores 2 Story Mid Century Remodel

Christiano Homes, Inc.

The open living room features a wall of glass windows and doors that open onto the backyard deck and pool. The living room blends into the bar featuring a large walnut wood wall to add interest, texture and warmth. The home also features polished concrete floors throughout the bottom level as well as dark white oak floors on the upper level. For more information please call Christiano Homes at (949)294-5387 or email at heather@christianohomes.com Photo by Michael Asgian

Brentwood Court Remodel

cedar street builders

Photo of a contemporary formal open concept living room in Indianapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Living Room

GAINES GENERAL CONTRACTING

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Montclair Beauty

Chic Home Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

Brooklyn Project 3

Fisher & Paykel

Andrew Gitzy Design Interiors.
Design ideas for a contemporary open concept living room in Orange County with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

Contemporary Living Room

Contemporary loft-style living room in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Country Side Homestead- Living Room

Lauzon Wood Floors

Take a look at this beautiful living room featuring our new Country Side black walnut hardwood flooring A perfect brown hand scraped hardwood floor.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Montreal with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Orange Slice Mid-Century Modern

Moderne Builders

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Sandy Springs #2

Norwood Architects

Modern
Photo of a contemporary living room in Atlanta with a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Contemporary Living Room Design Photos with a Brick Fireplace Surround

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 contemporary 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 contemporary living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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.