Living room with fireplace
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Sydney with green walls, dark hardwood floors and a tile fireplace surround.

Custom design and build

Horizon Homes

First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

The Bluffton

Cottage Home Company

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in Jacksonville with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Transitional/Contemporary Interiors

Suma Design and Construction

Matt
Inspiration for an expansive modern living room in Kansas City with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and a tile fireplace surround.

Kitchen and Living Room remodel

Litchfield Builders

Inspiration for a mediterranean living room in Santa Barbara with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a tile fireplace surround.

Best of Summer 2018

Charleston Home + Design Mag

Inspiration for a beach style living room in Charleston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Little Raven

Duet Design Group

Sophisticated and Transitional Family Room with Expansive Sectional; photo by Eric Lucero Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Denver with beige walls, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and dark hardwood floors.

Harmony Hall Ct. Interior Remodel

Streamline Construction

Inspiration for a transitional enclosed living room in Orange County with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Coastal Contemporary

The Stonehill Company

This is an example of a beach style open concept living room in Orange County with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Open-Concept Home Makeover With Pops of Color

Model Remodel

Remodeled fireplace gives living room a fresh focal point with patterned tile and a beautiful walnut mantle © Cindy Apple Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Purple Accent Design

Freestyle Interiors

Photo of a small contemporary formal living room in Miami with black walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Our Work

Energysavers & FireplaceStars.com

Mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Boston with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Mendota Design Gallery

Susi Builders Supply Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Other with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Mendota Fireplace Gallery

Heat 'N Sweep

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Transitional Home in the heart of The Woodlands

By Design Interiors, Inc.

Crisp white walls act as the backdrop the vibrant upholstered furniture within this family room. A velvet, mustard sectional is paired with a teal love seat and blue leather ottoman to bring some warmth to the home. These unique colors draw in the eye to the heart to the home where the client's relax and spend time with family.

Heatilator Design Gallery

CR Gas Logs & Fireplaces

Inspiration for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Boston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Valor Fireplaces

Fireplace Re-Fitter

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

School House Eclectic

Third Coast Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, dark hardwood floors, no tv and brown floor.

Fireplace, First Floor Remodel

MainStreet Design Build

The finishing touches were the new custom living room fireplace with marble mosaic tile surround and marble hearth and stunning extra wide plank hand scraped oak flooring throughout the entire first floor.

Christie Lane Makeover

Urbanhome Interior Design

Mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, a tile fireplace surround and white floor.

Living Room Design Photos with Dark Hardwood Floors and a Tile 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.