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.

OLD NOYAC PATH

Blue Ocean Design

Inspiration for a large beach style formal open concept living room in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace, dark hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

West Seattle New Build Design

ULLE Studio

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, a ribbon fireplace and brown floor.

Mendota Fireplace Gallery

Heat 'N Sweep

Large contemporary living room in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no 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.

Custom Interior Decorative Concrete Flooring

Life Deck Coating Installations

Residential Interior Floor Size: 2,500 square feet Installation: TC Interior
Photo of a large modern formal open concept living room in San Diego with concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, beige walls, no tv and grey floor.

Classic Elegant Living Room with Traditional Sofa and Accent Chairs

7 Sisters Interiors

Modern Classic Coastal Living room with an inviting seating arrangement. Classic paisley drapes with iron drapery hardware against Sherwin-Williams Lattice grey paint color SW 7654. Keep it classic - Despite being a thoroughly traditional aesthetic wing back chairs fit perfectly with modern marble table. An Inspiration for a classic living room in San Diego with grey, beige, turquoise, blue colour combination. Sand Kasl Imaging

Casa PT. Portugal. Lounge.

Studio Anya Antropova

Unique living room that combines modern and minimal approach with eclectic elements that bring character and natural warmth to the space. With its architectural rigor, the space features zellige tile fireplace, soft limewash plaster walls, and luxurious wool area rug to combine raw with refined, old with new, and timeless with a touch of spontaneity. The space features painting by Milly Ristvedt, a chair by De La Espada upholstered in lush forest green velvet and an iconic iron floor lamp by Room Studio, all mixed with a carefully curated array of antique pieces and natural materials. Our goal was to create an environment that would reflect the client's infinite affection for contemporary art while still being in tune with the Portuguese cultural heritage and the natural landscape the house is set in.

Deception Pass Cabin

Greg Robinson Architect

A new 800 square foot cabin on existing cabin footprint on cliff above Deception Pass Washington
Inspiration for a small beach style open concept living room in Seattle with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, yellow floor and exposed beam.

Potrero Hill House & Studio

Cathie Hong Interiors

This young married couple enlisted our help to update their recently purchased condo into a brighter, open space that reflected their taste. They traveled to Copenhagen at the onset of their trip, and that trip largely influenced the design direction of their home, from the herringbone floors to the Copenhagen-based kitchen cabinetry. We blended their love of European interiors with their Asian heritage and created a soft, minimalist, cozy interior with an emphasis on clean lines and muted palettes.

Mesa Makeover

Valiant Design

Photo of a transitional formal open concept living room in Seattle with grey walls, travertine floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Elizabeth Street

K Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Fort Greene Brownstone Renovation

Kate Glicksberg Photography

Complete renovation of a 19th century brownstone in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood. Modern interiors that preserve many original details. Kate Glicksberg Photography

Modern Farm House

UpperTown Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized country open concept living room in Atlanta with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Purple Accent Design

Freestyle Interiors

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.

Custom Window Treatments

Thybony Interiors

Mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in Chicago with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Somerset - Transitional Living and Family Rooms

In the Deets

A transitional living space filled with natural light, contemporary furnishings with blue accent accessories. The focal point in the room features a custom fireplace with a marble, herringbone tile surround, marble hearth, custom white built-ins with floating shelves. Photo by Exceptional Frames.

Villandry Circle

Hills & Grant

Photo: Lisa Petrole
This is an example of an expansive modern formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, grey floor and porcelain floors.

Spanish Redux

Freestyle Interiors

Design ideas for a large mediterranean formal open concept living room in Miami with white walls, travertine floors, a standard 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.

Living Room Design Photos with a Tile 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.