This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Chicago with a wood fireplace surround, a ribbon fireplace, grey walls, ceramic floors and grey floor.

Seventeen/2 Edinburgh

Studio Dean

Design ideas for a small contemporary enclosed living room in Other with black walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and black floor.

Downtown Minimalism - Vancouver BC

ZWADA home

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Vancouver with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor, wood walls and porcelain floors.

Contemporary Apartment Makeover

Decorbuddi

The living room opens onto the garden adding to the sense of relaxed calm, enhanced by the natural colour scheme. The long curtains and glass chandelier are in keeping with the period features, but in a contemporary style. The wing-back chair follows this theme, rooted in tradition with a contemporary design and colour scheme. Full project - https://decorbuddi.com/how-to-change-your-home-without-moving/

Résidence Aquablu par Patrick Robichaud

FX Studio par Clairoux

Julien Perron-Gagné
Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Montreal with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a concealed tv and brown floor.

Saint Louis Park, MN

Dream Floors

Mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Minneapolis with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Hearth Cabinet Ventless Fireplace - Square Modern Stainless Steel

HearthCabinet Ventless Fireplaces

Pricing available upon request - 212.242.1485 Visit our NYC showroom in Chelsea
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary living room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Springfield Contemporary Haven

Kelly Ann Photography

Living room with diagonal flooring french doors that lead to the outdoor dining area. Photo credit Kelly Settle Kelly Ann Photography
Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Cincinnati with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor and a ribbon fireplace.

Cheritan Avenue - Fireplace Makeover

GAIRDNER DESIGN

A revitalized, airy contemporary living room. New lighting breathes fresh air into a formerly dark and dated Toronto living room. Refacing the fireplace from brick to clean white paneling contemporizes the space, and uplifts the whole look to more modern. Bousquet Photography

The Groove

Harmony Sense Interiors Ltd.

Photo: Ema Peter
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Vancouver with white walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

LIVING ROOM - WESTCHESTER, NY

Natasha Habermann Studio

Mid century modern living room with blue bookcase and gallery wall
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in New York with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, beige floor and a wood fireplace surround.

Snug

Mia Karlsson Interior Design Ltd

Adam Butler
This is an example of a small contemporary open concept living room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Berghem

Ward-Young Architecture & Planning - Truckee, CA

This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Sacramento with white walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Project 45

The Main Company

We also designed a bespoke fire place for the home.
Design ideas for a contemporary living room in London with a standard fireplace, brown walls, light hardwood floors, a wood fireplace surround and beige floor.

Thunderbird Walls

Thunderbird Custom Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in Phoenix with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Modern Neutral Living Room with Gold Accents

Sarah St. Amand Interior Design, Inc.

Photo Credit: Kelly Horkoff; K West Images
This is an example of a large contemporary formal enclosed living room in Toronto with white walls, a standard fireplace, dark hardwood floors, a wood fireplace surround and no tv.

Edwardian Home in the heart of Strawberry Hill

JLV Design Ltd

Warm and light living room
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in London with green walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and white floor.

The Glass House: Modern Living & Dining Room Design

Interiors by Popov

Modern living room design Photography by Yulia Piterkina | www.06place.com
Mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Seattle with beige walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and grey floor.

Stanley Ridge Shed

SALA Architects

For more than a decade the owners of this property dreamed of replacing a well-worn trailer, parked by a previous owner onto a forested corner of the site, with a permanent structure that took advantage of breathtaking views across South Park basin. Accompanying a mutual friend nearly as long ago, the architect visited the site as a guest and years later could easily recall the inspiration inherent in the site. Ultimately dream and inspiration met to create this weekend retreat. With a mere 440 square feet planted in the ground, and just 1500 square feet combined across three levels, the design creates indoor and outdoor spaces to frame distant range views and protect inhabitants from the intense Colorado sun and evening chill with minimal impact on its surroundings. Designed by Bryan Anderson Construction by Mountain View Homes Photographs by Troy Thies

Mountain View

KWB London Limited

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in London with light hardwood floors, a built-in media wall, grey floor, a ribbon fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Contemporary Living Room Design Photos with a Wood 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.