This is an example of a large modern open concept living room in Adelaide with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, concrete floors, black floor and a wall-mounted tv.

Sydney House 01

Decus Interiors

Large modern formal living room in Sydney with white walls, concrete floors and a ribbon fireplace.

Seaside Living: Corona del Mar, California

Western Window Systems

When a soft contemporary style meets artistic-minded homeowners, the result is this exquisite dwelling in Corona del Mar from Brandon Architects and Patterson Custom Homes. Complete with curated paintings and an art studio, the 4,300-square-foot residence utilizes Western Window Systems’ Series 600 Multi-Slide doors and windows to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. In one instance, the retractable doors open to an outdoor courtyard. In another, they lead to a spa and views of the setting sun. Photos by Jeri Koegel.

Kirkland 4 Star Built Green Custom Home

H2D Architecture + Design

The living room is designed with sloping ceilings up to about 14' tall. The large windows connect the living spaces with the outdoors, allowing for sweeping views of Lake Washington. The north wall of the living room is designed with the fireplace as the focal point. Design: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com #kirklandarchitect #greenhome #builtgreenkirkland #sustainablehome

U60

Studio Lema

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, grey floor, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Basement Revamp

Reliance Design Build

ARC Photography
Mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Los Angeles with a home bar, a ribbon fireplace, beige walls, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and concrete floors.

Transitional Design - New Home

Allen Construction

The goal for these clients was to build a new home with a transitional design that was large enough for their children and grandchildren to visit, but small enough to age in place comfortably with a budget they could afford on their retirement income. They wanted an open floor plan, with plenty of wall space for art and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces to maintain the original garden feeling of the lot. A unique combination of cultures is reflected in the home – the husband is from Haiti and the wife from Switzerland. The resulting traditional design aesthetic is an eclectic blend of Caribbean and Old World flair. Jim Barsch Photography

Vancouver House

Evoke International Design Inc.

Janis Nicolay Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Vancouver with white walls, concrete floors and a ribbon fireplace.

Capitol Hill

Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

With a compact form and several integrated sustainable systems, the Capitol Hill Residence achieves the client’s goals to maximize the site’s views and resources while responding to its micro climate. Some of the sustainable systems are architectural in nature. For example, the roof rainwater collects into a steel entry water feature, day light from a typical overcast Seattle sky penetrates deep into the house through a central translucent slot, and exterior mounted mechanical shades prevent excessive heat gain without sacrificing the view. Hidden systems affect the energy consumption of the house such as the buried geothermal wells and heat pumps that aid in both heating and cooling, and a 30 panel photovoltaic system mounted on the roof feeds electricity back to the grid. The minimal foundation sits within the footprint of the previous house, while the upper floors cantilever off the foundation as if to float above the front entry water feature and surrounding landscape. The house is divided by a sloped translucent ceiling that contains the main circulation space and stair allowing daylight deep into the core. Acrylic cantilevered treads with glazed guards and railings keep the visual appearance of the stair light and airy allowing the living and dining spaces to flow together. While the footprint and overall form of the Capitol Hill Residence were shaped by the restrictions of the site, the architectural and mechanical systems at work define the aesthetic. Working closely with a team of engineers, landscape architects, and solar designers we were able to arrive at an elegant, environmentally sustainable home that achieves the needs of the clients, and fits within the context of the site and surrounding community. (c) Steve Keating Photography

Greenlake Modern Home

Fivedot

This single family home in the Greenlake neighborhood of Seattle is a modern home with a strong emphasis on sustainability. The house includes a rainwater harvesting system that supplies the toilets and laundry with water. On-site storm water treatment, native and low maintenance plants reduce the site impact of this project. This project emphasizes the relationship between site and building by creating indoor and outdoor spaces that respond to the surrounding environment and change throughout the seasons.

Hearths

Solid Rock Concrete Design

Photo of a large contemporary living room in Philadelphia with concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and grey floor.

Reid Smith Architects, Big Sky Home Builders

Whitney Kamman Photography

Inspiration for a country living room in Other with brown walls, concrete floors and a ribbon fireplace.

Martis Camp, Truckee

Martine Paquin Design

Mariko Reed
Expansive modern formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a concealed tv.

Black House - Living & Kitchen

DGK Architects

Reflections of art deco styling can be seen throughout the property to give a newfound level of elegance and class. – DGK Architects
Mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Perth with black walls, a wall-mounted tv, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

Caversham | Giorgi

Radiant Lighting

Design ideas for a large modern open concept living room in Perth with grey walls, concrete floors, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and a ribbon fireplace.

European Home Lucious 140

Fairview Hearthside Distributors

The Lucius 140-2/3 is a stunning, frameless peninsula fireplace with a full view on one side and a 2/3 partial view on the opposite side.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in New York with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and grey floor.

Modern Custom Home in Hollywood Hills, CA

Levi Design Build

Mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Russet

splyce design

Design ideas for a modern formal open concept living room in Vancouver with black walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

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.

Bartram - New Home #3

Mountford Architects

Open Views on either side of the Living space to see the rural landscape. The Living area is kept warm and homely by the large rammed earth wall holding a black fire place

Living Room Design Photos with Concrete Floors and a Ribbon Fireplace

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.