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.

Central Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Geelong with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Kingfield Project

Prospect Refuge Studio

This is an example of a small midcentury formal enclosed living room in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Rénovation cuisine Oullins Noce Canaletto

Les cuisines d'Arno

Lotfi Dakhli
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Lyon with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Winnetka Avenue

Boomgaarden Architects

Boomgaarden Architects, Joyce Bruce & Sterling Wilson Interiors
Large transitional enclosed living room in Chicago with beige walls, a brick fireplace surround, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Family Room

Joni Spear Interior Design

When the homeowners purchased this sprawling 1950’s rambler, the aesthetics would have discouraged all but the most intrepid. The décor was an unfortunate time capsule from the early 70s. And not in the cool way - in the what-were-they-thinking way. When unsightly wall-to-wall carpeting and heavy obtrusive draperies were removed, they discovered the room rested on a slab. Knowing carpet or vinyl was not a desirable option, they selected honed marble. Situated between the formal living room and kitchen, the family room is now a perfect spot for casual lounging in front of the television. The space proffers additional duty for hosting casual meals in front of the fireplace and rowdy game nights. The designer’s inspiration for a room resembling a cozy club came from an English pub located in the countryside of Cotswold. With extreme winters and cold feet, they installed radiant heat under the marble to achieve year 'round warmth. The time-honored, existing millwork was painted the same shade of British racing green adorning the adjacent kitchen's judiciously-chosen details. Reclaimed light fixtures both flanking the walls and suspended from the ceiling are dimmable to add to the room's cozy charms. Floor-to-ceiling windows on either side of the space provide ample natural light to provide relief to the sumptuous color palette. A whimsical collection of art, artifacts and textiles buttress the club atmosphere.

Zig Zag Roof House

Henry Woide

Photographer: Henry Woide - www.henrywoide.co.uk Architecture: 4SArchitecture
Small contemporary formal enclosed living room in London with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and a corner tv.

Living Room Facelift

Grayscale Homes Designs

Photo of 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.

Living Room Remodel

Blueprint Dreams LLC

We refaced the old plain brick with a German Smear treatment and replace an old wood stove with a new one.
Inspiration for a mid-sized country enclosed living room in New York with a library, beige walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor and timber.

Coastal Contemporary

A.A. Paint & Custom Finishes, Inc

Crisp white walls and exposed stain ceiling beams
Design ideas for a beach style open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Royal Foxhunt, Orland Park

NZ DESIGN & ASSOCIATES INC

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Monterey Vista Coastal Living Room

Beachy Boheme Interiors

This living room got an upgraded look with the help of new paint, furnishings, fireplace tiling and the installation of a bar area. Our clients like to party and they host very often... so they needed a space off the kitchen where adults can make a cocktail and have a conversation while listening to music. We accomplished this with conversation style seating around a coffee table. We designed a custom built-in bar area with wine storage and beverage fridge, and floating shelves for storing stemware and glasses. The fireplace also got an update with beachy glazed tile installed in a herringbone pattern and a rustic pine mantel. The homeowners are also love music and have a large collection of vinyl records. We commissioned a custom record storage cabinet from Hansen Concepts which is a piece of art and a conversation starter of its own. The record storage unit is made of raw edge wood and the drawers are engraved with the lyrics of the client's favorite songs. It's a masterpiece and will be an heirloom for sure.

Living Room

ODS Architecture

A relaxing entertainment area becomes a pivot point around an existing two-sided fireplace leading to the stairs to the bedrooms above. A simple walnut mantle was designed to help this transition.

Residential Remodels

Remodel Boutique

Mid-sized country open concept living room in Austin with white walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

The Minnehaha

Oakland Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Other with grey walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Pan Am Pilot's Lounge: A Mid-Century Bachelor Pad

Mackenzie Collier Interiors

A retro midcentury modern bachelor pad designed for a commercial airline pilot. Image: Agnes Art & Photo
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury enclosed living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

The 1920 Farmhouse Remodel

User

Updated living space
This is an example of a small country open concept living room in Portland with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Montclair Living Room

Olive Hill Design Company

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in New York with purple walls, dark hardwood floors and a brick fireplace surround.

Modern Coastal Living Room

Elizabeth Hall Designs, LLC

By moving the sofa in front of the fireplace, the room opens up and the new configuration allows for easy television viewing. The client doesn't use her fireplace so moving the sofa in front of it was not a problem and opened up more possibilities. A large abstract wall piece fills up the adjacent wall and adds a big pop of color. Sconce plug in lighting flanks the mirror above the fireplace.

Kitchens

Green Universe Inc

Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Living Room Design Photos with 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.