Sequined Asphault Studio
Inspiration for a large transitional formal enclosed living room in Bridgeport with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Living Room

Laurie S Woods, ASID

Craig Kuhner Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal living room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Contemporary Living Room

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Boston with white walls, a standard fireplace, dark hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Mid-century modern apartment

TAAT Design Studio

Mid-century modern living room with neutral colors.
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mediterranean Ranchette

Allen Construction

The formal living room, with its medium hardwood floors, French doors to the rear yard, vaulted, open beam wood ceiling, and red accent wall is perfect for entertaining. Architect: Becker Henson Niksto Photographer: Jim Bartsch

San Elijo - Project

ProPacific Builders, Inc.

Mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in San Diego with green walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a corner tv, brown floor and wood walls.

Bright and Airy South Charlotte Home

Dwell by Cheryl Interiors

Design ideas for a large transitional formal enclosed living room in Charlotte with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Living Room

Amy Elizabeth Interiors

This complete living room re-design captures the heart of this four-bedroom family home. Using check fabrics, navy and soft green tones, this living room now portrays a cosy country feel. The room is brought to life through accessorising, showing off my client's personal style. Completed November 2018 - 4 bedroom house in Exeter, Devon.

Stunning Open Plan

BRIROCK Custom Homes

Photo of a contemporary open concept living room in Austin with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and grey floor.

Vero Beach Coastal Makeover

RCL Development

This is an example of a beach style formal living room in Miami with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, a plaster fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Vernon

Ballentine Architects Studio

Inspiration for a large beach style open concept living room in Los Angeles with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a concealed tv and brown floor.

115

Parlor Interiors

Zachary Balber
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in Miami with white walls, travertine floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and white floor.

Lamb Design Projects

Lamb Design Group

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern formal open concept living room in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no tv, brown floor, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Wenham Ranch-House Renovation/Addition

Katie Hutchison Studio

Constructed in two phases, this renovation, with a few small additions, touched nearly every room in this late ‘50’s ranch house. The owners raised their family within the original walls and love the house’s location, which is not far from town and also borders conservation land. But they didn’t love how chopped up the house was and the lack of exposure to natural daylight and views of the lush rear woods. Plus, they were ready to de-clutter for a more stream-lined look. As a result, KHS collaborated with them to create a quiet, clean design to support the lifestyle they aspire to in retirement. To transform the original ranch house, KHS proposed several significant changes that would make way for a number of related improvements. Proposed changes included the removal of the attached enclosed breezeway (which had included a stair to the basement living space) and the two-car garage it partially wrapped, which had blocked vital eastern daylight from accessing the interior. Together the breezeway and garage had also contributed to a long, flush front façade. In its stead, KHS proposed a new two-car carport, attached storage shed, and exterior basement stair in a new location. The carport is bumped closer to the street to relieve the flush front facade and to allow access behind it to eastern daylight in a relocated rear kitchen. KHS also proposed a new, single, more prominent front entry, closer to the driveway to replace the former secondary entrance into the dark breezeway and a more formal main entrance that had been located much farther down the facade and curiously bordered the bedroom wing. Inside, low ceilings and soffits in the primary family common areas were removed to create a cathedral ceiling (with rod ties) over a reconfigured semi-open living, dining, and kitchen space. A new gas fireplace serving the relocated dining area -- defined by a new built-in banquette in a new bay window -- was designed to back up on the existing wood-burning fireplace that continues to serve the living area. A shared full bath, serving two guest bedrooms on the main level, was reconfigured, and additional square footage was captured for a reconfigured master bathroom off the existing master bedroom. A new whole-house color palette, including new finishes and new cabinetry, complete the transformation. Today, the owners enjoy a fresh and airy re-imagining of their familiar ranch house. Photos by Katie Hutchison

Trisore 95 MKII

European Home

The Trisore 95 MKII is a smaller bay-style fireplace for more intimately-scaled living spaces such as this modern living room.
Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian formal open concept living room in Boston with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, white floor, concrete floors and no tv.

Spanish Colonial Revival

Agnes Agatha Home

Agnes Lopez of Posewell Studios
Design ideas for a large mediterranean formal enclosed living room in Jacksonville with limestone floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Masseria a corte

Studio Talent

This is an example of a large mediterranean open concept living room in Bari with white walls, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

CR Laine Furniture

Nelson Designs

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic formal enclosed living room in Wichita with white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Arthur

Huset

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Auckland with a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Eclectic Living Room

Wallpaperdirect

Mid-sized eclectic formal open concept living room in Sussex with blue walls, painted wood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and no tv.

Living Room Design Photos with a Standard Fireplace 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.