photo by Bruce Ferre
Inspiration for an expansive modern open concept living room in Vancouver with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

A Pure White Family-Friendly Home

Kylie M Interiors

An intimate shot of part of the open concept living room with 2 gray accent chairs from Urban Barn, a small gallery wall, side table and white walls, trim and stair railings in Sherwin Williams Pure White. Built in cabinets on either side of the fireplace for kids toy storage. Fireplace in white painted brick with white shiplap and gas insert with tv mounted above the fireplace.

Veranda B Floor Plan - McAuliffe

Front Light Building Co.

Photo of an open concept living room in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, beige floor and planked wall panelling.

Holston River Fishing Retreat

JS Howell Custom Homes

An efficiently designed fishing retreat with waterfront access on the Holston River in East Tennessee
Design ideas for a small country open concept living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, timber and planked wall panelling.

The Armstrong - LBI0819

Legacy Post & Beam

Post and beam open concept living room with fireplace
Inspiration for a large country living room with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Casa Solana Transitional Home

Pink Dwelling

Small transitional enclosed living room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and planked wall panelling.

Open Concept First Floor Renovation

Touchstone Kitchen and Bath

White-washed brick surrounding the fireplace with shiplap above the mantel gave this room an updated look from the original finish.
Mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Philadelphia with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Craftsman in the Country

Live Oak Home Builders

Great room with lots of custom trim and stained accents.
Photo of a large arts and crafts open concept living room in Other with white walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, multi-coloured floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Pequeña casa de madera

Shiba Design

Photo of a small country formal open concept living room in Other with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Cliff Drive Living

ALTER Design Studio

Design ideas for a mid-sized open concept living room 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.

Burnet Farmhouse

mfm design group

This is an example of a mid-sized country open concept living room in Austin with concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a concealed tv, grey floor, wood and planked wall panelling.

House in Tokorozawa

sin163 photography

Mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Other with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Lot 55 Landherr

Bentley Construction LLC

Arts and crafts open concept living room in Louisville with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Full Remodel Maximize Functionality

Ohana Services

Redid/Replaced/Repaired: Framing Door Sheetrock Fireplace Surround Electrical Bay Window Sill Window Install Baseboards Floors Paint Fixtures
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Dallas with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Cozy Living Room

St. Amour Interior Design

Cozy Living Room in Charleston South Carolina
Mid-sized open concept living room with light hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Modern Farm House

Pillar & Perch: Architects + Builders

Large open living with corner brick fireplace and natural light coming from above. Built in window seat.
Design ideas for a large country open concept living room in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

Pequeña casa de madera

Shiba Design

Renovation in the Philadelphia Suburbs

RenoFi Renovation

Photo of a transitional living room in Philadelphia with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, timber, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Open Concept First Floor Renovation

Touchstone Kitchen and Bath

A look through the sliding barn doors from office to living room.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Philadelphia with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Lot 55 Landherr

Bentley Construction LLC

Country open concept living room in Louisville with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, vaulted 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.