Photo of a traditional family room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Nye's Neck Home

Casabella Interiors

Dan Cutrona
Photo of a mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Boston with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Seaside Beach House

Emerick Architects

The living room was about editing. Remove the existing red carpet, remove the existing teal fireplace tile and all of a sudden the room looks beautiful.

Scandinavian Contemporary

REFINED LLC

Design ideas for a country sunroom in Minneapolis with concrete floors, a brick fireplace surround, a standard ceiling and grey floor.

Contemporary Beach Living Room

Julia Ryan

This is an example of a traditional living room in Charleston with blue walls and a brick fireplace surround.

Magnolia

Heidi Caillier Design

Haris Kenjar
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury formal enclosed living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Westhampton Beach Playhouse

Chango

Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Custom Millwork Design, Furniture Design, Art Curation, & AV Design by Chango & Co. Photography by Sean Litchfield See the feature in Domino Magazine

Florida Beach Cottage

Village Architects AIA, Inc.

Ron Rosenzweig
This is an example of a large beach style living room in Miami with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and no tv.

New Haven, CT – Interior House Painting & Commercial Interior Painting Services

DiNardo Painting, LLC

Transitional living room in Bridgeport with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

Outdoor Connection

Eric Denny Architecture

This is an example of a small traditional living room in Seattle with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Renovation: Adaskin

Westridge Homes

DM Images
Small traditional living room in Other with white walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Daniel Island Drive

Delpino Custom Homes

Photography by Patrick Brickman
This is an example of a large country open concept family room in Charleston with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

The Minnehaha

Construction Development Investment LLC

Cipher Imaging
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Other with grey walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Coastal Farmhouse

JL Builders, LLC

Inspiration for a large country open concept living room in New Orleans with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Client Project 15

Lee Douglas Interiors

This is an example of a country living room in Omaha with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Elkton Waterfront Home

Avalon Associates, Inc.

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

Scandinavian Living Room

Photo of a scandinavian formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, dark hardwood floors and no tv.

Low Country Southern Style Home

Jancy Ervin Interiors

Morning Star Builders
Inspiration for a country open concept living room in Houston with medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Remodeling Projects

Russell Remodeling

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Dallas with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Project 3

User

Mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in Columbus with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Living Design Ideas with a Brick Fireplace Surround

The best room for gathering with your family and friends in a cosy environment is your living room or family room. You want to hang out where the lounge furniture is the most comfortable and sofas or chairs create a sense of homeliness. Filling this important space with cheap furniture is unlikely to bring you the same long-lasting comfort as a quality chaise lounge or a couch. These choices will directly affect the quality of your evenings as you wind down from the daily grind. While planning a renovation or redesign, weigh up the priorities of seating, heating, an entertainment unit and bookcases. Identify your main activity in the room and and design around that. Many living rooms aren't complete without a fireplace, but if you can't accommodate that, invest in built-in or furniture that suits your home. Common trends include Danish furniture and other kinds of Scandinavian furniture. Plush sofas, recliner chairs and sofa beds will always be popular. Finally, when the big components are planned out, think about what colour scheme and decor will best suit you and your family. If needed, an interior designer can help here.

Should I include a fireplace in my living room or family room?

Depending on your climate, a fireplace might be a great way to add warmth and interest to your living space. Even if your location is warm year-round, you can always add a faux fireplace or nonfunctioning fireplace as part of your decor. There are many options to choose from, so be sure to check them out. A wood-burning fireplace gives an authentic experience, though a gas one still emits heat without the mess. A double-sided or corner unit strays from the ordinary, or you can go with a wood stove fireplace if you're looking for a piece of art. If you want a contemporary touch, veer away from the traditional wood or tile mantel by going with stone, concrete or metal instead.

What kind of built-ins should I add to my living room?

Although it might not seem glamorous, having enough storage is instrumental when it comes to keeping the room organised and practical. Built-in bookcases, shelves and cabinets are a great way to add hidden, functional storage for all the knickknacks you accumulate. Movie and gaming buffs will love a custom entertainment centre, with enough cabinets for movies, speakers and electronic accessories; you can even create a media room with a projector and lounge chairs! If you still have room to spare, include a booth for homework or craft projects.

How do I decorate my home interiors?

When it comes to decorating, neutrals are always the safe option because they look good and never go out of style. They also give any artwork you hang enough breathing space. If you do want to try out a bolder colour scheme, add colour with walls and accessories. That way, if you get sick of a colour, you can quickly repaint the walls and find new knickknacks, instead of having to replace your sofas every time trends change. Popular colours include blue, green and grey, but don't be afraid to try bright colours like red or yellow, even if it's just on an accent wall. Finally, make sure there is plenty of light. Recessed or track lighting are great ways to hit every corner — better yet, add more natural light by installing additional windows or a skylight.