Inspiration for a mid-sized modern formal enclosed living room in Omaha with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Axboe Residence

Zola European Windows

Large fixed windows offer beautiful views.
Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Lake Coeur d'Alene Custom Home

Parsons Construction Inc

Large contemporary open concept living room in Other with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and wood.

Aspen Red Mountain Remodel

Akasha Design Studio

David O. Marlow
Design ideas for a large modern formal open concept living room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Dorchester Remodel

Teale Architecture

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Olana Drive

Hills & Grant

Photo: Lisa Petrole
Photo of a large modern open concept living room in San Francisco with a home bar, white walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Contemporary Living Room

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in Vancouver with grey walls, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and medium hardwood floors.

steveston townhouse

mango design co

photographer: Janis Nicolay of Pinecone Camp
Inspiration for a scandinavian living room in Vancouver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Corner Courtyard Residence

Wiedemann Architects LLC

Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in DC Metro with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

DaVinci Custom Fireplaces

60" x 20" Single Sided, DaVinci Custom Fireplace featuring the Driftwood Log Set.
Large contemporary formal enclosed living room in Seattle with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, brown floor and no tv.

West Dry Creek Residence

Adeeni Design Group

Architecture: Sutro Architects Landscape Architecture: Arterra Landscape Architects Builder: Upscale Construction Photography: Christopher Stark
Design ideas for an asian living room in San Francisco with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and grey floor.

Mid-Century Remodel

David Henig, Architect

Eric Rorer
Mid-sized midcentury formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, no tv and a concrete fireplace surround.

Modern Home Remodel by Treeium - West Hollywood, CA

GoGreen Builders

Inspiration for a large modern formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

California Street

Napoleon at Home

Large transitional formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

A Minnesota Lakehouse Transformed with Exotic Spice

GOGO Design Group

The lower level contains the couple's wine cellar, as well as a fully equipped bar where they can savor wine tastings, cocktail parties and delicious meals while enjoying quality time with family and friends. The existing concrete floors were sprayed a rust color adored by the Lady of the House, and served as the color inspiration for the rust/orange swivel chairs in the TV viewing area. Two dramatic floor lamps flank a console table and divide the TV viewing zone from the nearby pool table. I can't wait to see my client again soon, not only to put the finishing touches on their home's transformation, but to break bread and share a cocktail, as we have become close during the past 21 months with our many flights to and from Chicago to Minneapolis.

The Last House

David Small Designs

Photo of a contemporary formal enclosed living room in Toronto with light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Naples Condo

Designing Connections

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Miami with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, a concealed tv and beige floor.

Loomis Custom Home

SD Olsen Construction Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Sacramento with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor, a ribbon fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Butterfly Ranch

Hills & Grant

This is an example of a modern open concept living room in San Francisco with concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Woodside Midcentury

David Henig, Architect

This is an example of a midcentury living room in San Francisco with a library, blue walls, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and no tv.

Living Room Design Photos with a Ribbon Fireplace and a Concrete 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.