Photo of a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in London with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Denali - Living Room

SketchPad House Plans

Large contemporary open concept living room in Grand Rapids with white walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, grey floor, medium hardwood floors and a freestanding tv.

Camelot New Build

BANDD DESIGN

The down-to-earth interiors in this Austin home are filled with attractive textures, colors, and wallpapers. Project designed by Sara Barney’s Austin interior design studio BANDD DESIGN. They serve the entire Austin area and its surrounding towns, with an emphasis on Round Rock, Lake Travis, West Lake Hills, and Tarrytown. For more about BANDD DESIGN, click here: https://bandddesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://bandddesign.com/austin-camelot-interior-design/

Guggenhill Residence

KA DesignWorks

Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and a concrete fireplace surround.

Lakewood

Urbanology Designs

Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Martis Camp Mountain Contemporary

SANDBOX

Photo by Vance Fox showing the dramatic Great Room, which is open to the Kitchen and Dining (not shown) & Rec Loft above. A large sliding glass door wall spills out onto both covered and uncovered terrace areas, for dining, relaxing by the fire or in the sunken spa.

Desert Mountain Living Room Remodel

Design Directives, LLC

The stacked stone fireplace is flanked by built-in cabinets with lighted shelves. The surround is bronze and the floating hearth is polished black galaxy granite. A. Rudin swivel chairs and sofa. Coffee table is custom design by Susan Hersker. Ribbon mahogany table floats on polished chrome base and has inset glass. Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/

Super Wide Plank Hardwoods

State Of The Art Wood Floor Gallery Corp

Design ideas for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in New York with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and beige floor.

Agnes Street

Dig Design

The living room with window seat over pool. Jetmaster gas fireplace with rendered surround and bench. Rachel Lewis Photography
This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Armstrong - Stones & Naturals

Cumming's Carpet One

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Links at Lionsgate

Alan Karlin Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Kansas City with a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, grey walls, dark hardwood floors and a wall-mounted tv.

West Elm

Contemporary formal living room in New York with a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Lake Sammamish Residence

LaCantina Doors

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Seattle with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Eakins-Kavelaar Residence

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc.

Natasha Dixon Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Edmonton with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

MacDougal Manor

Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors

A stylish loft in Greenwich Village we designed for a lovely young family. Adorned with artwork and unique woodwork, we gave this home a modern warmth. With tailored Holly Hunt and Dennis Miller furnishings, unique Bocci and Ralph Pucci lighting, and beautiful custom pieces, the result was a warm, textured, and sophisticated interior. Other features include a unique black fireplace surround, custom wood block room dividers, and a stunning Joel Perlman sculpture. Project completed by New York interior design firm Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors, which serves New York City, as well as across the tri-state area and in The Hamptons. For more about Betty Wasserman, click here: https://www.bettywasserman.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.bettywasserman.com/spaces/macdougal-manor/

West Village Townhouse

West Chin Architects & Interior Designers

This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in New York with a concrete fireplace surround.

Plateau Residence

Glancey Rockwell & Associates

New home designed for a young family who desired to stay true to "modernism" without compromising meeting the needs of family. True to moderns philosophy the home utilizes standard modular materials and construction techniques. Simple geometric forms were manipulated to create protected outdoor spaces and framed views. Concrete walls anchor the home both structurally and metaphorically to the Earth. Interior and exterior spaces become intertwined through the aluminum/glass curtain walls. Photography: Phil McClain Photography

Full interior remodel

RD Architecture, LLC

Completed in 2010 this 1950's Ranch transformed into a modern family home with 6 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths. Concrete floors and counters and gray stained cabinetry are warmed by rich bold colors. Public spaces were opened to each other and the entire second level is a master suite.

Windy Hill

Kasia Karska Design

This is an example of a large contemporary open concept living room in Denver with grey walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Mustang Circle

KA DesignWorks

Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Denver with light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, beige floor, white walls, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Contemporary Living Room Design Photos with a Concrete 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.