Photo of a large contemporary open concept living room in Other with red walls, porcelain floors, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv, grey floor and brick walls.

Villanova Residence - study

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Photographer: Tom Crane
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Philadelphia with a library, red walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and no tv.

Geyer Historic Renovation

Tim Hollerbach Designs, LLC

Photo of a small traditional formal enclosed living room in St Louis with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and beige floor.

Bridgeview

Kendle Design Collaborative

Inspiration for a large living room in Phoenix with red walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and white floor.

Stone Canyon Residence

Kevin B Howard Architects, AIA

Photo Credit: Robin Stancliff
Inspiration for a mid-sized open concept living room in Other with red walls, slate floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Birds-eye Maple built-in entertainment center with fireplace

Art Woodstone Studio - Custom Furniture

Custom designed and custom made Birds-eye Maple built-in entertainment center with fireplace
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in DC Metro with red walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Period Property in Dorset

Bean Interiors

This warm cosy snug is within the oldest part of the house, with it's low beamed ceilings and deep solid walls we painted this room in Dulux's Heritage rich Pugin Red and was inspired by the original tiles within the fireplace surround.

Windsor Tree House

Mark A Silva, Architect

This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in San Diego with red walls, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

The Outbuilding Appledore

Amy Maynard Interiors

Richard Gadsby Photography
Design ideas for an eclectic open concept living room in Kent with red walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround and beige floor.

Chalet Franco-Suisse l'authenticité des pays froids

User

Inspiration for a small country open concept living room in Dijon with a library, red walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Living Rooms

Mission Tile West Showrooms

Mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with concrete floors, red walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Bed-Stuy Townhouse

User

This is an example of a transitional formal living room in New York with red walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

REUSE House

X-space Architects

Major Renovation and Reuse Theme to existing residence Architect: X-Space Architects
Mid-sized country open concept living room in Perth with red walls, dark hardwood floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor and brick walls.

Los Altos Hills, CA.

Karoll Julian Inc.

The ball room was imported from Venice italy. we restored many of the damages areas on all walls, ceilings and replicated the 17th century chandeliers - Gilding, Antique Effect

Lakeville House

Demetriades + Walker

Peter Peirce
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Bridgeport with red walls, a standard fireplace, medium hardwood floors, a metal fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Burlington Contemporary Living

Pinkus Interiors

Red Accent wall, dark hardwood, gas insert fireplace
Photo of a mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in Toronto with red walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Трехкомнатная сталинка в Хамовниках

Маша Хусеинова

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional living room in Moscow with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and yellow floor.

Work Samples

Deb Dall Designs Inc.

Inspiration for a small country formal open concept living room in Other with red walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround and no tv.

Chalet Franco-Suisse l'authenticité des pays froids

User

Inspiration for a small country open concept living room in Dijon with a library, red walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Wood Stoves

Hearth Haven

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in New York with red walls, a wood stove and a metal fireplace surround.

Living Room Design Photos with Red Walls and a Metal 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.