Concrete block walls provide thermal mass for heating and defence agains hot summer. The subdued colours create a quiet and cosy space focussed around the fire. Timber joinery adds warmth and texture , framing the collections of books and collected objects.

My Houzz: Endless Summer in a 1954 Northern California Home

Margot Hartford Photography

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2017 Houzz
Photo of an eclectic formal enclosed living room in Other with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Orange Slice Mid-Century Modern

Moderne Builders

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Dover Shores 2 Story Mid Century Remodel

Christiano Homes, Inc.

The open living room features a wall of glass windows and doors that open onto the backyard deck and pool. The living room blends into the bar featuring a large walnut wood wall to add interest, texture and warmth. The home also features polished concrete floors throughout the bottom level as well as dark white oak floors on the upper level. For more information please call Christiano Homes at (949)294-5387 or email at heather@christianohomes.com Photo by Michael Asgian

Hill Country Modern Farmhouse

Bohannon Design Team

The living room features a crisp, painted brick fireplace and transom windows for maximum light and view. The vaulted ceiling elevates the space, with symmetrical halls opening off to bedroom areas. Rear doors open out to the patio.

Northcote Workers Cottage

Olivia van Dijk Architecture

Home of Emily Wright of Nancybird. Photography by Neil Preito Sunken Living space with polished concrete floors, a built in fireplace and purpose-built shelving for indoor plants to catch the northern sunlight. Timber framed windows border an internal courtyard that provides natural light.

Taviawk

Imbue Design

Open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, grey floor and wood.

Glass Fireplace Doors by Design Specialties

The Stove Shop Fireplace Center

We were very happy to add a beautiful steel glass fireplace door by Design Specialties to this updated brick fireplace. Our customer and his wife did a fabulous job with a mortar wash, steel hearth, steel and riveted banding and a natural edge mantel. Add to that the cool floor and walls and you have an whole new look!

Chino Canyon Residence

Hundred Mile House

Open living area
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Van Drimmelen/Gore

Archaeo Architects

This home, which earned three awards in the Santa Fe 2011 Parade of Homes, including best kitchen, best overall design and the Grand Hacienda Award, provides a serene, secluded retreat in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The architecture recedes back to frame panoramic views, and light is used as a form-defining element. Paying close attention to the topography of the steep lot allowed for minimal intervention onto the site. While the home feels strongly anchored, this sense of connection with the earth is wonderfully contrasted with open, elevated views of the Jemez Mountains. As a result, the home appears to emerge and ascend from the landscape, rather than being imposed on it.

Stafford

Mark Payne Homes

Mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Austin with beige walls, concrete floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Arizona Lighting Company

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Phoenix with beige walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Benni

The Rug Seller

Contemporary living room in Manchester with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Modern House

William D. Earls AIA Architect

Fireplace with floating hearth.
Inspiration for a large modern formal open concept living room in New York with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Mid Century Magic

Just the Thing Decorating, Staging, and Windows

The family who has owned this home for twenty years was ready for modern update! Concrete floors were restained and cedar walls were kept intact, but kitchen was completely updated with high end appliances and sleek cabinets, and brand new furnishings were added to showcase the couple's favorite things. Troy Grant, Epic Photo

2202 Residence

FORWARD Design | Architecture

Inspiration for a large modern formal loft-style living room in Kansas City with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

The Good Life - Passive Solar Home in Stoneville

Coveney Browne Design

A slow burn combustion fire is built into a thermal brick wall. The un-insulated flue heats the brickwork in winter allowing heat to radiate back out slowly at night. Red Images Fine Photography.

Servizio fotografico per Volpotti Architetto

Edi Solari

Edi Solari Photographer
Inspiration for a large industrial open concept living room in Rome with concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, multi-coloured walls and grey floor.

Madison Park Mid-Century Modern

Darren Patt Construction

Mid-sized midcentury enclosed living room in Seattle with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, concrete floors and grey floor.

tucson territorial

hazelbaker rush

This is an example of a living room in Phoenix with white walls, concrete floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam, brick walls and planked wall panelling.

Living Room Design Photos with Concrete Floors and a Brick 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.