Design ideas for a large transitional formal enclosed living room in Detroit with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

New Traditional Design Wellesley

Corinne Acampora Interiors & Art

Inspiration for a large traditional formal open concept living room in Boston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Ashland Creek Ln

Dufranc Photography

Expansive transitional open concept living room in Houston with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

Edgewood Model in Frisco, TX by Shaddock Homes

Shaddock Homes

Inspiration for an expansive transitional open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

the Pasadena Drive House

Martinhouse Designs

JP Morales photo
Mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in Austin with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Darien Family Home

Mare Design

Photo of a transitional living room in Other with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and decorative wall panelling.

Greenbush Residence

Hsu McCullough

Living Room with porch through window
Mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Los Angeles with white walls, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor, decorative wall panelling and medium hardwood floors.

Legacy Ridge Powder and Laundry Remodel

MOTIF Design Solutions, LLC

A beautiful and classic interior is what makes this home timeless. We worked in every room in the house and helped the owner update and transform her 1990's interior. Everything from the first sketch to the final door knob, we did it all and our seamless process made the project a joy.

Complete Remodel in La Cañada Flintridge

Spazio LA

Open floor dining and living area featuring Monarch dark French oak hardwood floors, custom cabinets and fireplace, custom wood work details such as ceiling wood bean and staircase handrail, and coffered ceiling in the music room.

Shields Project

Fishhouse Design Studio

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, exposed beam and decorative wall panelling.

Living Room Remodel

Madison Builders

This beautifully reimagined 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom is a modern beach classiThis home features beautiful smooth stucco, engineered hardwood floors, recess lights, pendant lighting and a large open concept great room perfect for relaxing and entertaining. Enjoy the gourmet chef's kitchen with an expansive island, custom cabinetry, all-new luxury stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliances, and stunning quartz countertops with backsplash. Bathrooms have been completely remodeled with a large walk in shower in the primary. Flooded with natural light.

Architectural Santa Monica Stunner

Thomas James Homes

Transitional living room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, beige floor, timber and decorative wall panelling.

Wakefield Wine Bar and Fireplace

Griffin Design

Designed By: Robby Griffin Photos By: Desired Photo
Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Houston with a home bar, green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

Contemporary Shingle Style

Wadia Associates

This is an example of a large transitional enclosed living room in New York with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and decorative wall panelling.

Fireplaces

The Bradburn Group

Photo of a mid-sized transitional formal enclosed living room in Toronto with black walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Granada | Bellevue

JayMarc Homes

The Granada's great room is a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary elements, exuding a timeless and inviting atmosphere. Light wood hardwood flooring spreads throughout the space, adding warmth and natural beauty underfoot. A tile fireplace surround becomes a striking focal point, infusing the room with texture and visual interest. A sleek black gas fireplace complements the surround, offering both comfort and modern aesthetics. Crisp white walls provide a clean and versatile backdrop, allowing for various decor styles to flourish. White wainscoting adds a touch of classic elegance, elevating the room's charm and character. Together, the light wood flooring, tile fireplace, white walls, and wainscoting create a balanced and inviting ambiance, making the Granada's great room a welcoming space for relaxation, social gatherings, and cherished moments with loved ones.

Bow, NH

New England Design Elements

Mid-sized scandinavian open concept living room in Manchester with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a concealed tv, white floor, wood and decorative wall panelling.

Ashland Creek Kitchen Project

Jennifer Kizzee Design

This is an example of an expansive transitional open concept living room in Houston with light hardwood floors, white walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

Contemporary Living Room With Cozy Details

CORE Design + Build, LLC

Open living & dining area that exudes warm & inviting vibes. A gas fireplace & a few statement furniture pieces give this minimalist room a cozy touch.

Modern Stucco Tudor

TRIO Design and Build

Photo of a large traditional formal open concept living room in Minneapolis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, recessed and decorative wall panelling.

Living Room Design Photos with a Tile Fireplace Surround and Decorative Wall Panelling

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.