Reclaimed timber beams, hardwood floor, and brick fireplace.
Photo of a country living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

30A Beach House - Camellia

The Gall Group: Design | Build | Remodel

Second floor main living room open to kitchen and dining area. Sliding doors open to the second floor patio and screened in dining porch.
Large beach style open concept living room in Miami with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, wood and planked wall panelling.

Somers Residence

Highland Builders LLC

A light and airy main living room that is surrounded by beautiful white oak! The white brick and shiplap fireplace is the focal point of the space. White oak beams highlight the ceiling. An open concept space that still feels cozy.

The Tamarack

Stonebuilt Homes

Mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Edmonton with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and planked wall panelling.

CRYSTAL - Waterfront Beach House in Rowayton

BA Staging & Interiors

This beautiful, waterfront property features an open living space and abundant light throughout and was staged by BA Staging & Interiors. The staging was carefully curated to reflect sophisticated beach living with white and soothing blue accents. Luxurious textures were included to showcase comfort and elegance.

Panther Ridge Custom Home

Bruce Williams Homes

Inspiration for a large country living room in Tampa with white walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Price Street Residence

Charles Maccora Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room with concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, grey floor, black walls and planked wall panelling.

COOPERS NECK

Blue Ocean Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, recessed and planked wall panelling.

Living Room Facelift

Grayscale Homes Designs

Design ideas for a large country open concept living room in New York with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Custom Home : Character & Charm

Renew Properties

This is an example of a country living room in Atlanta with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and planked wall panelling.

Clayfield Colonial Queenslander

User

Design ideas for a traditional living room in Brisbane with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

Modern Farm Style

Mike Blake Custom Homes

Inspired by a modern farmhouse influence, this 6,336 square foot (9,706 square foot under roof) 4-bedroom, 4 full bath, 3 half bath, 6 car garage custom ranch-style home has woven contemporary features into a consistent string of timeless, traditional elements to create a relaxed aesthetic throughout.

Robinhood Residence

Clark Richardson Architects

The living room is architectural spacious and luminous. The fireplace, clad in white brick, reflects the exterior facade treatment adding a rough texture indoors. Large doors add architectural variation and provide rustic charm. A muted color scheme prevails here, allowing for pops of color to shine.

Whole House Remodel in San Clemente

Eskan Developers

This is an example of a mid-sized modern living room in Orange County with a home bar, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Allen III Floor Plan - McAdams

Front Light Building Co.

Design ideas for a beach style open concept living room in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Classic and Contemporary

Lo LA Design

Design ideas for a large contemporary living room in New Orleans with white walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, beige floor and planked wall panelling.

Reclaimed Brick with Board and Batten Modern Farmhouse on Acreage

Wyrick Residential Design

Large country open concept living room in Houston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, timber, planked wall panelling and a two-sided fireplace.

North Tustin - Addition and Remodel

Pacific Coast Builders, Inc.

Inspiration for a large country loft-style living room in Orange County with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Lakefront Beauty

Jeff Puckett Construction Inc

Large living area with indoor/outdoor space. Folding NanaWall opens to porch for entertaining or outdoor enjoyment.
This is an example of a large country open concept living room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, coffered and planked wall panelling.

Robinhood Residence

Clark Richardson Architects

View of entry hall and its live edge shelf from living room.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Austin with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

Living Room Design Photos with a Brick Fireplace Surround and Planked Wall Panelling

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.