Inspiration for a large midcentury formal open concept living room in Portland with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Four Walls and a Roof

Lucy McLintic

Photo of a contemporary living room in San Francisco with a tile fireplace surround.

Funky Formal Living with a Global Touch

Kevin Twitty Interiors

This room is the perfect example of sprucing up an outdated space. My client had a lot of her own things, it simply needed to be reupholstered, space planned and funked up with some color! Photo by Kevin Twitty

Basement

Fredman Design Group

Moving into the lower level with softened natural light was key, so the knotty pine walls, low-hanging ceilings and vinyl flooring were updated with a raised ceiling, natural stone finishes and reclaimed wood detailing.

Modern Beach Bedroom

User

Photo of a contemporary formal living room in Los Angeles with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and beige floor.

Creston Remodel

WA Design Architects

Design ideas for a large midcentury formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, beige floor and no tv.

Lakewood Boulevard

Maestri, LLC.

This is an example of a traditional formal enclosed living room in Dallas with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Amanda Terry Photographer

Twist Tours Real Estate and Portfolio Marketing

Amanda Terry
This is an example of an eclectic enclosed family room in Austin with black walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and beige floor.

Living room

Happy Interiors Group

Living room in a loft-style condo in downtown St. Paul.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Minneapolis with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

OH Custom 2

Odenza Homes Ltd

These are the living rooms of one of our custom designed and built LXC
Design ideas for a contemporary living room in Vancouver with a tile fireplace surround and white walls.

Adelaide Builders - Dave Rosa

Angela Giles Photography

Angela Giles
Photo of a contemporary enclosed living room in Adelaide with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Oak Street. Condo with a view

Refined Design LLC

Beautifully staged 2 level Arlington Virginia condo with one of the best views of DC. Had been listed for one year with another realtor. Relisted with New Realtor and staged. Sold within one month,

Classic Revival

Significant Homes LLC

Beach style enclosed family room in New York with a library, blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Living Room Redesign

Blue + Green Interiors

Inspiration for a transitional formal enclosed living room in London with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

New Construction

SWEDBERG WOOD PRODUCTS INC

Transitional living room in Minneapolis with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

28th Street

Coastal Interiors

Transitional living room in San Diego with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Animal Prints Living Design Ideas with a Tile 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.