Inspiration for an expansive country formal open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Sapps Fireplace

French Mill Stone

Exquisite hand-carved detailing
Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Contemporary Home, Bude, Cornwall UK

The Bazeley Partnership

A contemporary home design for clients that featured south-facing balconies maximising the sea views, whilst also creating a blend of outdoor and indoor rooms. The spacious and light interior incorporates a central staircase with floating stairs and glazed balustrades. Revealed wood beams against the white contemporary interior, along with the wood burner, add traditional touches to the home, juxtaposing the old and the new. Photographs: Alison White

"Homage to Chocolate"

James Rixner, Inc.

Design ideas for a large contemporary formal enclosed living room in New York with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

1041 EL

Weaver Custom Homes

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in Columbus with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv and exposed beam.

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.

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.

Lakefront Modern Build

Eminent Interior Design

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Minneapolis with a home bar, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv.

Silver Leaf Court

Delaney's Design

Large transitional open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

Fish Cross Cottage

Warren French Interiors

A coastal Scandinavian renovation project, combining a Victorian seaside cottage with Scandi design. We wanted to create a modern, open-plan living space but at the same time, preserve the traditional elements of the house that gave it it's character.

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.

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.

Berkeley Vale Home

AMA Studio Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Sydney with white walls, concrete floors, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, grey floor and decorative wall panelling.

Project Dover Shores

Mark Design Co.

Photo of 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.

Welwyn Open Plan Revamp

Sai Interiors

We loved working on this project! The clients brief was to create the Danish concept of Hygge in her new home. We completely redesigned and revamped the space. She wanted to keep all her existing furniture but wanted the space to feel completely different. We opened up the back wall into the garden and added bi-fold doors to create an indoor-outdoor space. New flooring, complete redecoration, new lighting and accessories to complete the transformation. Her tears of happiness said it all!

Acorn Deck House - Renovation

Lee Kimball

Photo of a midcentury living room in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and exposed beam.

La Jolla Newkirk Remodel

Jantz Construction

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in San Diego with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and exposed beam.

Midcentury Living Room

Design ideas for a midcentury open concept living room in Phoenix with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and exposed beam.

КП "Ромашки"

artELLE-design

Large scandinavian formal open concept living room in Moscow with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Stacked Stone 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.