Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and planked wall panelling.

Modern Silverleaf Estate

Cosan Studio

This is an example of a modern open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and exposed beam.

Brodecky House: Living Room

Atlas Architects

A generous, light living area. Inbuilt storage and integrated joinery. Large windows connect the interior with the exterior. Photography: Tess Kelly
Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Melbourne with light hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, white walls, a ribbon fireplace and brown floor.

Las Canoas Remodel Bifold Doors Open

Allen Construction

Architect: Richard Warner General Contractor: Allen Construction Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch Award Winner: Master Design Awards, Best of Show
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Santa Barbara with a standard fireplace, no tv, a plaster fireplace surround, white walls and light hardwood floors.

Robinson St.

LETTER FOUR, INC.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and wood walls.

MODERN COTTAGE

Lissa Lee Hickman

This is an example of a large transitional formal open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and coffered.

Best Rd - Living Room Fireplace Wall

Studio Sarah Willmer Architecture

Living room fireplace wall with bookshelves on either side. Photographed by Eric Rorer
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, white walls, light hardwood floors and no tv.

Union Pier Lakehouse

Devon Grace Interiors

Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Chicago with white walls, light hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, a corner fireplace and beige floor.

P House

G Method Limited

Elegant living room with fireplace and chic lighting solutions. Wooden furniture and indoor plants creating a natural atmosphere. Bay windows looking into the back garden, letting in natural light, presenting a well-lit formal living room.

AUGEREAU

atelier daaa

Photo : Agathe Tissier
This is an example of a mid-sized open concept living room in Paris with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Bohème Chic

Anne Chemineau - Decor Interieur

Design ideas for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Paris with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

ZONA GIORNO DAL MOOD SCANDINAVO

Andrea Vertua Architetto

Zona giorno open-space in stile scandinavo. Toni naturali del legno e pareti neutre. Una grande parete attrezzata è di sfondo alla parete frontale al divano. La zona pranzo è separata attraverso un divisorio in listelli di legno verticale da pavimento a soffitto. La carta da parati valorizza l'ambiente del tavolo da pranzo.

11th Street

Joseph Spierer Architects, Inc.

A view of the loft-style living room showing a double height ceiling with five windows, a cozy fireplace and a steel chandelier.
Large mediterranean loft-style living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, beige floor and exposed beam.

Project Dover Shores

Mark Design Co.

Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and vaulted.

Modern Living Room

Large modern open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Blackshire

MARCUSSE CONSTRUCTION

Design ideas for a large scandinavian formal open concept living room in Grand Rapids with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Apartment B

Stephanie Loy Interior Design GmbH

Übereck-Kamin mit bündiger Funkenschutz Platte aus Schwarzstahl
Inspiration for a mid-sized scandinavian loft-style living room in Munich with beige walls, light hardwood floors and a plaster fireplace surround.

Modern Living Room

Modern open concept living room in Milwaukee with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Chiswick Family Home

Moretti Interior Design Ltd

Tom St. Aubyn
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary formal enclosed living room in London with green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, beige floor and a plaster fireplace surround.

Custom Fireplace Projects

Custom Fireplaces and More

Photo of a mid-sized traditional living room in Nashville with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Living Room Design Photos with Light Hardwood Floors and a Plaster 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.