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

Kalamalka Lake Home

BLDG Workshop Inc.

Corner fireplace set into board formed concrete with walnut Interior Design by Adrianne Bailie Design and BLDG Workshop Erin Bailie Photography
This is an example of a large modern formal enclosed living room in Toronto with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Old Hill House

Sellars Lathrop Architects, llc

renovated family room open to new kitchen
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Bridgeport with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a concrete fireplace surround.

Palomino Modern Home

Realm Architecture + Design

Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Dixie Pkwy Great Room

I & I Homes, Home Staging and Redesign

Design ideas for a large transitional formal enclosed living room in Orlando with white walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and medium hardwood floors.

Rangeview Reno Pt. 2

Studio McGee

Design ideas for a large transitional open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Florida

Sherri Spykerman Interiors

Mitered stone fireplace surround with media art roller screen creates focal wall flanked by tall turquoise vases in Florida beach home.
Photo of a large beach style enclosed living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Menlo Oaks 3 Residence

Ana Williamson Architect

Paul Dyer
This is an example of a large country formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Elegant Lakefront Condo Renovation

Von Dreele-Freerksen Construction Company

Photos: Mike Kaskel
Design ideas for a large traditional formal enclosed living room in Chicago with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Fryman Canyon, New Construction

Dana Benson Construction

Collaboration with Bryan Wark Designs Photography by Bethany Nauert
Design ideas for a large transitional formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Dancing Jesters Parlor Room

Design House, Inc

Photo by Ashley Henry Wynne
Inspiration for a large transitional formal open concept living room in Houston with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a concrete fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

豊橋牛川町の家2014

株式会社kotori

勾配天井、現しにした登り梁、土間の中央に据えられた薪ストーブ、南の全面開口がリビングの大空間を特徴づけています。薪ストーブで暖まりながら孫の子守り、そんな生活が想像できそうな二世帯住宅です。
Photo of a large open concept living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, wallpaper and wallpaper.

LB House

Shane Marsh Architects

Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Brisbane with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor, timber and decorative wall panelling.

Tresco

Visbeen Architects

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Grand Rapids with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and exposed beam.

The Love Lane House-Danville

Fautt Homes

Large open family room with floating shelve books cases flanking the pre-cast mantle and fireplace. Exposed beam in a soft a stain. A sneak peak at the from door and stairway.

Bright & Airy Living Room Design

Boxwood Avenue

This beautiful custom home built by Bowlin Built and designed by Boxwood Avenue in the Reno Tahoe area features creamy walls painted with Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee and white oak floating shelves with lovely details throughout! The cement fireplace and European oak flooring compliments the beautiful light fixtures and french Green front door!

Woodside House 2

Dotter & Solfjeld Architecture + Design

Inspiration for a large midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Caversham | Giorgi

Radiant Lighting

Design ideas for a large modern open concept living room in Perth with grey walls, concrete floors, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and a ribbon fireplace.

River House

Mark Dziewulski Architect

This is an example of a large modern formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, limestone floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Lake Coeur d'Alene Custom Home

Parsons Construction Inc

Large contemporary open concept living room in Other with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and wood.

Large 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 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.