Photo 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.

Walthamstow Extension

Rees Architects

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and multi-coloured floor.

Walpole, MA

Shari Pellows Interiors

Michael J. Lee
Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Boston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Bellevue Mid-Modern

Lane Williams Architects

An open plan unites the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Large sliding doors conceal the den and playroom. Photo by Lara Swimmer
Large midcentury open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Residential Interiors

Emma Wood Photos

Emma Wood
Small scandinavian formal enclosed living room in Sussex with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Naturally Urban

Marvin

This 1950s home was completely renovated with an all-new addition. The natural setting of the property significantly influenced the design. All new Marvin windows and doors worked in harmony with the updated layout to connect the interior of the home with the mature specimen trees outdoors. This provided a feeling of intimacy with the forest and privacy within the home.

St. Helena Wine Country Home

Maquette Interior Design

Photographer Chuck O'Rear
Large contemporary enclosed living room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Ocean Drive West - Stamford, CT

GUILTEC LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in New York with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Jennings Mill Residence

Cassy Young Decorating Den Interiors Athens GA

Photo of a large transitional living room in Atlanta with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

North Ocean Custom

Marc Julien Homes

Situated on a three-acre Intracoastal lot with 350 feet of seawall, North Ocean Boulevard is a 9,550 square-foot luxury compound with six bedrooms, six full baths, formal living and dining rooms, gourmet kitchen, great room, library, home gym, covered loggia, summer kitchen, 75-foot lap pool, tennis court and a six-car garage. A gabled portico entry leads to the core of the home, which was the only portion of the original home, while the living and private areas were all new construction. Coffered ceilings, Carrera marble and Jerusalem Gold limestone contribute a decided elegance throughout, while sweeping water views are appreciated from virtually all areas of the home. The light-filled living room features one of two original fireplaces in the home which were refurbished and converted to natural gas. The West hallway travels to the dining room, library and home office, opening up to the family room, chef’s kitchen and breakfast area. This great room portrays polished Brazilian cherry hardwood floors and 10-foot French doors. The East wing contains the guest bedrooms and master suite which features a marble spa bathroom with a vast dual-steamer walk-in shower and pedestal tub The estate boasts a 75-foot lap pool which runs parallel to the Intracoastal and a cabana with summer kitchen and fireplace. A covered loggia is an alfresco entertaining space with architectural columns framing the waterfront vistas.

Spanish Colonial

DD Ford Construction

Architect: Don Nulty
Design ideas for a contemporary enclosed living room in Santa Barbara with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a concealed tv and terra-cotta floors.

Maple Circle

Charla Ray Interior Design

Photo of a large beach style open concept living room in Portland with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and exposed beam.

New build Sandycove

Carton Interiors

Design ideas for a large modern enclosed living room in Dublin with a library, green walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Pepper Shack

Unique Homestays

Photo of a mid-sized country open concept living room in Hampshire with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and vaulted.

Lauren Kay Sims Lakehouse - Living Room

Urbanology Designs

Traditional modern living room, with a wall of windows looking out on a lake. A wood panel wall with an ornate fireplace, fresh greenery, and modern furnishings. An expansive, deep, cozy sectional makes for ultimate relaxation. Uber long wood bench for additional seating.

New Construction - Drexel Ave. West Hollywood

Luxe Remodel

Design ideas for a large mediterranean formal enclosed living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and vaulted.

Chelsea Loft

Sara Mosele

A 2000 sq. ft. family home for four in the well-known Chelsea gallery district. This loft was developed through the renovation of two apartments and developed to be a more open space. Besides its interiors, the home’s star quality is its ability to capture light thanks to its oversized windows, soaring 11ft ceilings, and whitewash wood floors. To complement the lighting from the outside, the inside contains Flos and a Patricia Urquiola chandelier. The apartment’s unique detail is its media room or “treehouse” that towers over the entrance and the perfect place for kids to play and entertain guests—done in an American industrial chic style. Featured brands include: Dornbracht hardware, Flos, Artemide, and Tom Dixon lighting, Marmorino brick fireplace, Duravit fixtures, Robern medicine cabinets, Tadelak plaster walls, and a Patricia Urquiola chandelier.

Maineville Residence

John Senhauser Architects

Photo of a mid-sized country open concept living room in Cincinnati with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

Luxury Lounge Interior

Janey Butler Interiors

A fabulous lounge / living room space with Janey Butler Interiors style & design throughout. Contemporary Large commissioned artwork reveals at the touch of a Crestron button recessed 85" 4K TV with plastered in invisible speakers. With bespoke furniture and joinery and newly installed contemporary fireplace.

Apartment in Stuttgart

Insight Vision GmbH

This is an example of a mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in Frankfurt with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

All TVs Living Room Design Photos with 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.