Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, dark hardwood floors, no tv and brown floor.

Hedges Lane, Sagaponack, NY

Tamara Magel Studio

Design ideas for a large scandinavian formal enclosed living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Contemporary Craftsman Living Room

Lark Architecture

The formal living room is focused around a traditional, paneled fireplace with a raised hearth. Crisp white paint sets off the trim details from the dark of the hardwood floors and the gas log firebox, with a luxurious gray quartzite stone slab fireplace surround. Large widows open onto the quaint front porch, connecting inside and out. [Photography by Jessica I. Miller]

21st Street Apartment

Trinity Building Inc.

-Cherry floating shelves -Original fireplace stripped -Oak flooring throughout -Plaster crowns molded to match existing and installed
This is an example of a small modern formal enclosed living room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Wide plank select White Oak

Historic Timber and Plank, Inc.

Photo of a large modern formal open concept living room in St Louis with multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Victorian Renovation | San Francisco, CA

Domus Design Group

Mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Camden Residence

Anders Lasater Architects

Photograph by Chad Mellon Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Lake LBJ Custom Waterfront Home

Keith Wing Custom Builders

Matthew Niemann Photography www.matthewniemann.com
Large transitional formal open concept living room in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

When Light Wanders Photography

http://www.whenlightwanders.com

Karalyn in Neenah

Cypress Homes, Inc.

This realstone panel fireplace has a bench as well as a painted wood mantel. It is in the corner of the great room and is a gas fireplace. There is also a large window which provides natural lighting.

Interior Renovations and Exterior Repairs, Winnetka IL

NEWLOOK Development

Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian formal open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

The Drawing Room

Making Spaces

Making Spaces https://blog.making-spaces.net/2016/12/05/the-drawing-room-final-reveal/

Custom Renovation and Addition, Living Room

CBI Design Professionals, Inc.

The living room in this Bloomfield Hills residence was a part of a whole house renovation and addition, completed in 2016. Within the living room are signature paintings, artifacts, and furniture pieces that complement the eclectic taste of the client. The design of the room started off of a single centerline; on one end is a full-masonry fireplace and on the other is a signature 8' by 8' charity auction painting. This colorful painting helps liven up the room while providing focal point when entering the room. These two elements anchor the room, allowing focal points on both walls while accentuating the view to the back yard through three sets of French doors. The décor and furniture complements that of the artwork and artifacts, allowing the room to feel cohesive and inviting.

RWD in Houston, TX: October 2016

Renaissance Windows & Doors

Photo of a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Houston with white walls, vinyl floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Plaza Penthouse

Alan Karlin Design

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Kansas City with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

GHOSTDANCE

Marvin

This 10,970 square-foot, single-family home took the place of an obsolete structure in an established, picturesque Milwaukee suburb.. The newly constructed house feels both fresh and relevant while being respectful of its surrounding traditional context. It is sited in a way that makes it feel as if it was there very early and the neighborhood developed around it. The home is clad in a custom blend of New York granite sourced from two quarries to get a unique color blend. Large, white cement board trim, standing-seam copper, large groupings of windows, and cut limestone accents are composed to create a home that feels both old and new—and as if it were plucked from a storybook. Marvin products helped tell this story with many available options and configurations that fit the design.

Modern Lilac and Gray Living Room

k+co LIVING - Interiors by Karen B Wolf

Photography: Christian Garibaldi
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in New York with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Cumberland - John Maniscalco Architecture

John Maniscalco Architecture

Design ideas for a contemporary formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Lawrence Park Ravine House

Jillian Aimis Architect

Tom Arban
Photo of a large modern formal open concept living room in Toronto with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Doheny Estates

Bradley Bayou

Photo of an expansive contemporary formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Living Room Design Photos with a Stone Fireplace Surround and No TV

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.