This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Geelong with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Custom design and build

Horizon Homes

First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

The Mountain Green Modern Farmhouse

Habitations Residential Design Group

Design ideas for a mid-sized country formal open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Farmhouse Living Room

Redeux Decor Interiors

photo: Tim Brown Media
Design ideas for a mid-sized country formal enclosed living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor and a stone fireplace surround.

Martha's Vineyard Lighthouse

Red Door Homes, Inc.

This is an example of a large beach style formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and no tv.

Craftsman Manor Resurrection

Board & Vellum

Photograph by Travis Peterson.
Large transitional formal open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Manhattan Beach Modern

SoCal Contractor

This is an example of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, limestone floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and white floor.

English Cottage Living Room

Maraya Interior Design

Luxurious modern take on a traditional white Italian villa. An entry with a silver domed ceiling, painted moldings in patterns on the walls and mosaic marble flooring create a luxe foyer. Into the formal living room, cool polished Crema Marfil marble tiles contrast with honed carved limestone fireplaces throughout the home, including the outdoor loggia. Ceilings are coffered with white painted crown moldings and beams, or planked, and the dining room has a mirrored ceiling. Bathrooms are white marble tiles and counters, with dark rich wood stains or white painted. The hallway leading into the master bedroom is designed with barrel vaulted ceilings and arched paneled wood stained doors. The master bath and vestibule floor is covered with a carpet of patterned mosaic marbles, and the interior doors to the large walk in master closets are made with leaded glass to let in the light. The master bedroom has dark walnut planked flooring, and a white painted fireplace surround with a white marble hearth. The kitchen features white marbles and white ceramic tile backsplash, white painted cabinetry and a dark stained island with carved molding legs. Next to the kitchen, the bar in the family room has terra cotta colored marble on the backsplash and counter over dark walnut cabinets. Wrought iron staircase leading to the more modern media/family room upstairs. Project Location: North Ranch, Westlake, California. Remodel designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more. Eclectic Living Room with Asian antiques from the owners' own travels. Deep purple, copper and white chenille fabrics and a handknotted wool rug. Modern art painting by Maraya, Home built by Timothy J. Droney

Jane Lockhart Interior Design

Jane Lockhart Design

Jane Lockhart's award winning luxury model home for Kylemore Communities. Won the 2011 BILT award for best model home. Photography, Brandon Barré
Mid-sized transitional formal living room in Toronto with beige walls and a standard fireplace.

Hampstead Family Home

Claudia Dorsch Interior Design Ltd

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic formal enclosed living room in London with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Jamestown Modern Farmhouse

DK Homes

Modern Farmhouse designed for entertainment and gatherings. French doors leading into the main part of the home and trim details everywhere. Shiplap, board and batten, tray ceiling details, custom barrel tables are all part of this modern farmhouse design. Half bath with a custom vanity. Clean modern windows. Living room has a fireplace with custom cabinets and custom barn beam mantel with ship lap above. The Master Bath has a beautiful tub for soaking and a spacious walk in shower. Front entry has a beautiful custom ceiling treatment.

Gothic Cottage - Award Finalist

Daniel Contelmo Architects

The great room walls are filled with glass doors and transom windows, providing maximum natural light and views of the pond and the meadow. Photographer: Daniel Contelmo Jr.

La Grange Park Residence - Living Room

Phillip Harrison Interiors

Transitional living room with contemporary influences. Photography: Michael Alan Kaskel
Inspiration for a large transitional formal living room in Chicago with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Catalina Plus Model

Hallmark Homes

Doug Peterson Photography
Transitional formal living room in Boise with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Living Roomn

Samuel Gordon Architects, PC

Photo of a beach style formal open concept living room in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace and beige floor.

Great Room

Divine Custom Homes

Design ideas for a large traditional formal living room in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

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.

An Artist's Retreat

Derrick Dodge Interior Design

Windows were added to this living space for maximum light. The clients' collection of art and sculpture are the focus of the room. A custom limestone fireplace was designed to add focus to the only wall in this space. The furniture is a mix of custom English and contemporary all atop antique Persian rugs. The blue velvet bench in front was designed by Mr. Dodge out of maple to offset the antiques in the room and compliment the contemporary art. All the windows overlook the cabana, art studio, pool and patio.

Madison's View

Centre Sky Architecture Ltd

Photos by Whitney Kamman
Design ideas for a large country formal open concept living room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor and a wall-mounted tv.

загородный дом | Родник

TS Design | Тарас Безруков и Стас Самкович

студия TS Design | Тарас Безруков и Стас Самкович
Large contemporary formal open concept living room in Moscow with porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown walls and beige floor.

All Fireplaces Formal 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.