Large contemporary enclosed living room in San Francisco with grey walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

Contemporary Living Room

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Shotwell Residence

Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders

Reimagined as a quiet retreat on a mixed-use Mission block, this former munitions depot was transformed into a single-family residence by reworking existing forms. A bunker-like concrete structure was cut in half to form a covered patio that opens onto a new central courtyard. The residence behind was remodeled around a large central kitchen, with a combination skylight/hatch providing ample light and roof access. The multiple structures are tied together by untreated cedar siding, intended to gradually fade to grey to match the existing concrete and corrugated steel.

Birch Residence

Griffin Enright Architects

The curve of the hallway creates a dynamic living room space.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary loft-style living room in Los Angeles with white walls, travertine floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and no tv.

dRichards Interior Design Shoot

Tamara Leigh Photography

Tamara Leigh Photography
Contemporary formal enclosed living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

House Union Street I

JPR Architects

Photo of a small contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and a library.

Puesta Del Sol

186 Lighting Design Group - Gregg Mackell

This Mountain Modern residence contains many hidden lighting details. Even during the daylight hours, hidden LED light strip details can be seen accentuating the metal skin of this contemporary fireplace. Photographer: Kimberly Gavin Architect: RKD Architects Interiors: Studio 80 Key Words: hidden lighting, fireplace lighting, modern fireplace lighting, contemporary fireplace lighting, modern fireplace, contemporary fireplace, chimney , modern chimney, lighting detail, cool lighting detail, modern fireplace, contemporary fireplace light, modern fireplace light, modern fireplace, contemporary fireplace, lighting design, lighting designer, lighting design, lighting designer, modern lighting design, modern lighting designer, lighting, light, modern lighting design, fireplace lighting, lighting fireplace, fireplace lighting, hidden lighting, fireplace lighting, modern fireplace lighting, contemporary fireplace lighting, modern fireplace, contemporary fireplace, chimney , modern chimney, lighting detail, cool lighting detail, modern fireplace, contemporary fireplace light, modern fireplace light, modern fireplace, contemporary fireplace, lighting design, lighting designer, lighting design, lighting designer, modern lighting design, modern lighting designer, lighting, light, modern lighting design, fireplace lighting, lighting fireplace, fireplace lighting, modern architecture, contemporary architecture

Urban Oasis

James Patrick Walters

This sleek custom built-in features illuminated display niches, a plasma screen, media components, and an ethonol-burning EcoSmart fireplace. Elegant woodwork combines sapele natural with an espresso stain accent.

Strathcona Den

AMW Design Studio

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Detroit with a library, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Mercer Island Residence - Living room

ID by Gwen

window seat, banquette, white, open space, large windows, modern fireplace, built-in bookcase, white sofa, blue accents, open floor plan, paneling
Mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in Seattle with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Mod Redux

Capoferro Design Build Group

Photo of a contemporary living room in Toronto with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Lateral Lookout

Mountainwood Homes

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Portland with a home bar, grey walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and vaulted.

A House for Charlie

Tom Robertson Architects

jack lovel
Design ideas for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Medina | Custom Home

John Buchan Homes

Large contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Parade Homes

Fireplace Center Inc.

Photo of a contemporary enclosed living room in Other with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Medina Waterfront Residence, Medina WA

Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects

Detail of living room fireplace. Photography by Lucas Henning.
Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Sunset Leather Chaise Lounge by Gamma Arredamenti

RoomService 360

Manufactured in Italy by Gamma Arredamenti, Sunset Sofa is bold and casually serene during the day but unabashedly glamorous at night. Drawing its aesthetic inspirations from the multifaceted demands of modern lifestyle, Sunset Modern Leather Sofa allows for sitting areas to double as lounges and, on occasion serve as temporary sleeping areas because of its unique backrest mechanism that moves back.

Clifton Pointe

Brickhaus Partners

Contemporary open concept living room in Cleveland with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a metal fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Central Park West Apartment Renovation

Detail Renovations

Eric Laverty
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in New York with dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and white walls.

Philbeach Gardens

FHI Design Ltd

Design ideas for a contemporary formal living room in Hampshire with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Contemporary Living Room Design Photos with a Metal 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.