Inspiration for a large scandinavian open concept living room in Hamburg with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Liseter Weatherstone

Mary Cook

Taylor Photography
Inspiration for a traditional living room in Philadelphia with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Chelsea House

Nash Baker Architects

The living room at the house in Chelsea with a bespoke fireplace surround designed by us and supplied and installed by Marble Hill Fireplaces with a gas stove from interfocos. George Sharman Photography

Oak Hill Craftsman

Marilyn Hill Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Nashville with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Kirkland Custom Living Room with Fireplace & Stone Accent Wall

John Buchan Homes

John Buchan Homes
Photo of a mid-sized transitional loft-style living room in Seattle with a stone fireplace surround, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Terrell Hills Mid Century Modern Project

Haven Design and Construction

The cantilevered living room of this incredible mid century modern home still features the original wood wall paneling and brick floors. We were so fortunate to have these amazing original features to work with. Our design team brought in a new modern light fixture, MCM furnishings, lamps and accessories. We utilized the client's existing rug and pulled our room's inspiration colors from it. Bright citron yellow accents add a punch of color to the room. The surrounding built-in bookcases are also original to the room.

Barn Home Complete Remodel

Casino Co. Renovations

A barn home got a complete remodel and the result is breathtaking. Take a look at this moody lounge/living room area with an exposed white oak ceiling, chevron painted accent wall with recessed electric fireplace, rustic wood floors and countless customized touches.

The Bedford House

Lori Dennis Interior Design

Large modern style Living Room featuring a black tile, floor to ceiling fireplace. Plenty of seating on this white sectional sofa and 2 side chairs. Two pairs of floor to ceiling sliding glass doors open onto the back patio and pool area for the ultimate indoor outdoor lifestyle.

CasaCoppa

The SpaceMaker Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Cheshire with medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a wood fireplace surround, grey walls, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Moody Blues

Laura Lee Home

Previously used as an office, this space had an awkwardly placed window to the left of the fireplace. By removing the window and building a bookcase to match the existing, the room feels balanced and symmetrical. Panel molding was added (by the homeowner!) and the walls were lacquered a deep navy. Bold modern green lounge chairs and a trio of crystal pendants make this cozy lounge next level. A console with upholstered ottomans keeps cocktails at the ready while adding two additional seats.

Brentwood Residence

Rande Leaman Interior Design

The living room received a big makeover with the removal of an outdated fireplace (on the wall with the sofa!) and we installed a new, contemporary fireplace covered in black quartzite in the center of the room. Shelves on either side of the fireplace provide plenty of room for books and decorative objects. Gray grasscloth covers the walls and brings a warmth and texture that paint cannot.

Modern Farmhouse- Herriman

Simons Design Studio

Interior Designer: Simons Design Studio Builder: Magleby Construction Photography: Allison Niccum
This is an example of a country formal open concept living room in Salt Lake City with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and light hardwood floors.

Updated Great Room

DANIELLE Interior Design & Decor

This built-in window seat creates not only extra seating in this small living room but adds a cozy spot to curl up and read a book. A niche spot in the home adding storage and fun!

The living room showing the new tile fireplace and the new windows.

Mark Brand Architecture

For our client, who had previous experience working with architects, we enlarged, completely gutted and remodeled this Twin Peaks diamond in the rough. The top floor had a rear-sloping ceiling that cut off the amazing view, so our first task was to raise the roof so the great room had a uniformly high ceiling. Clerestory windows bring in light from all directions. In addition, we removed walls, combined rooms, and installed floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding doors in sleek black aluminum at each floor to create generous rooms with expansive views. At the basement, we created a full-floor art studio flooded with light and with an en-suite bathroom for the artist-owner. New exterior decks, stairs and glass railings create outdoor living opportunities at three of the four levels. We designed modern open-riser stairs with glass railings to replace the existing cramped interior stairs. The kitchen features a 16 foot long island which also functions as a dining table. We designed a custom wall-to-wall bookcase in the family room as well as three sleek tiled fireplaces with integrated bookcases. The bathrooms are entirely new and feature floating vanities and a modern freestanding tub in the master. Clean detailing and luxurious, contemporary finishes complete the look.

La Pinède

Studio MMA Architecture + Design

Foyer / Fireplace
Design ideas for a large country formal open concept living room in Montreal with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, wood and no tv.

Californian Mid-Century House

Oneshot Design

This is an example of a large midcentury formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a concealed tv, exposed beam and panelled walls.

MODERN COTTAGE

Lissa Lee Hickman

This is an example of a large transitional formal open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and coffered.

Scandi Modern

Coddington Design

Minimal, mindful design meets stylish comfort in this family home filled with light and warmth. Using a serene, neutral palette filled with warm walnut and light oak finishes, with touches of soft grays and blues, we transformed our client’s new family home into an airy, functionally stylish, serene family retreat. The home highlights modern handcrafted wooden furniture pieces, soft, whimsical kids’ bedrooms, and a clean-lined, understated blue kitchen large enough for the whole family to gather.

Contemporary Craftsman

Eleven Interiors

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Boston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and wood walls.

The Happy Home - Living Spaces

Parkyn Design

An open concept great room with this red accents in this transitional family home.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Toronto with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

All Fireplaces All Fireplace Surrounds 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.