Contemporary living room
Large transitional enclosed living room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor and wallpaper.

Killara House

O'Meara Jones

Design ideas for a large transitional open concept living room in Sydney with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and coffered.

04 - 9th Street Craftsman Transitional Living Room

Aspire Fine Homes

Large transitional enclosed living room in Houston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor and coffered.

Bushey Avenue

Studio Fabbri

The cosy and grown-up formal lounge is connected to the open-plan family space by a large pocket door.
Design ideas for a large contemporary enclosed living room in London with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and multi-coloured floor.

Ranch House Great Room

Marin Design Co.

Large, bright, and airy great room with lots of layered textures.
Design ideas for a large traditional open concept living room in Sacramento with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Elegant Farmhouse Project

Alison Giese Interiors

Photo of a large country enclosed living room in Austin with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

One Riverside in Fitler Square

Henck Design LLC

This luxurious interior tells a story of more than a modern condo building in the heart of Philadelphia. It unfolds to reveal layers of history through Persian rugs, a mix of furniture styles, and has unified it all with an unexpected color story. The palette for this riverfront condo is grounded in natural wood textures and green plants that allow for a playful tension that feels both fresh and eclectic in a metropolitan setting. The high-rise unit boasts a long terrace with a western exposure that we outfitted with custom Lexington outdoor furniture distinct in its finishes and balance between fun and sophistication.

Beach Style Living Room

Design ideas for a large beach style living room in Dallas with dark hardwood floors, white walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a concealed tv and brown floor.

Modern Luxury

Fresh Start Contracting Company

This is an example of a large modern open concept living room in Boston with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Whole Home Design

Diedre Shaw Interiors

This is an example of a large transitional open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, a wood fireplace surround and no tv.

Hardwood Flooring

CarpetsPlus ColorTile Missoula

Large transitional formal open concept living room in Other with brown walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Seaport High Rise

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee
This is an example of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Beverly Hills Estate

Mark Wryan Design

Original parged plaster ceilings were restored. Sotheby's International
Large traditional formal enclosed living room in Los Angeles with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown walls, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Victorian Brownstone

Home Life by Rose Ann Humphrey

Grey Flannel Study, inspired by client's sailing obsession.
Design ideas for a large traditional formal open concept living room with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Woodmeister Master Builders - Living Rooms

Woodmeister Master Builders

Custom living room built-in wall unit with fireplace. Woodmeister Master Builders Chip Webster Architects Dujardin Design Associates Terry Pommett Photography

Custom Interiors

Beer Architectural Group

Photo of a large arts and crafts formal enclosed living room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and no tv.

Dreamfields community in Bradford

Rosehaven Homes

Design ideas for a large transitional formal enclosed living room in Toronto with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Manhattan Apartment inspired by the Federal Style

Studio 511

The Living Room is inspired by the Federal style. The elaborate plaster ceiling was designed by Tom Felton and fabricated by Foster Reeve's Studio. Coffers and ornament are derived from the classic details interpreted at the time of the early American colonies. The mantle was also designed by Tom to continue the theme of the room. the wonderful peach color on the walls compliments the painting, rug and fabrics. Chris Cooper photographer.

Longmont

Thompson Custom Homes

Design ideas for a large traditional enclosed living room in Houston with a library, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, beige walls, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Grant

Threshold Design Lab

In repainting the entire space and remodeling the fireplace, and adding some decorative elements like window treatments and floating shelves, the entire space was re-imagined

Large 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 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.