This remodel went from a tiny story-and-a-half Cape Cod, to a charming full two-story home. The open floor plan allows for views from the living room through the kitchen to the dining room. Space Plans, Building Design, Interior & Exterior Finishes by Anchor Builders. Photography by Alyssa Lee Photography.

Asheville Retreat

B.O.B. - Beyond Ordinary Boundaries Architecture

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in Richmond with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Contemporary Living Room

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Denver with light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, white walls, a tile fireplace surround and beige floor.

The Sierra Showhome (Calgary, Alberta)

Morrison Homes

Inspiration for a contemporary living room in Calgary with a tile fireplace surround and black floor.

Modern Federation

Brett Mickan Interior Design

Scott Mcgale
Traditional living room in Sydney with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, white walls and a tile fireplace surround.

Living Room

ODS Architecture

The living room has walnut built-in cabinets housing home theater equipment over a border of black river rock which turns into a black granite plinth under the fireplace which is rimmed with luminescent tile. Photo Credit: John Sutton Photography

Moraga Residence

Jennifer Weiss Architecture

Midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with a tile fireplace surround, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Elbow Park Residence

Rochelle Cote Interior Design

Modern Living Room
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Calgary with white walls, light hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Jasper Home by Greenstone

The Tin Roof-Interior Design & Fine Furniture

Inspiration for a transitional living room in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Mount Baker Historic Craftsman

Board & Vellum

Photography by Miranda Estes
Design ideas for a mid-sized arts and crafts enclosed living room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Casa De Cinco

Blythe Interiors

Inspiration for a large mediterranean open concept living room in San Diego with white walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Full Home Renovation & Pool Gazebo Addition

Duke Renovations

The clean white of the custom built-in's and large wall of windows adds an airy feel to this renovated family room.
Large transitional open concept living room in Indianapolis with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and coffered.

Fullerton Hills

Kennedy Cole Interior Design

Contemporary Craftsman designed by Kennedy Cole Interior Design. build: Luxe Remodeling
Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, vinyl floors, a corner fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Eastlake Houseboat

K&L Interiors

Inspiration for a small beach style open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, wood, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Family Home

Wynd Design

Mid-sized traditional open concept living room in London with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

Contemporary Living Room

Design ideas for a contemporary formal living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

La Plaza Villa - Condo Remodel

Budget 2 Beautiful Designs

We installed wood ceilings drenched in a dark walnut stain to compliment the hand packed Saltillo tiles imported from Mexico.
Photo of a mid-sized open concept living room in Kansas City with white walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and wood.

From 1950’s Teardown to Contemporary Standout

JTID Inc.

The existing fireplace was preserved. A contemporary gas insert was integrated while the masonry chimney was clad with large sophisticated tile pieces. The door to the left leads into a home office which could serve as a sixth bedroom.

The Agra | Medina, WA

JayMarc Homes

Great room features 14ft vaulted ceiling with stained beams, white built-ins surround fireplace and stacking doors open to indoor/outdoor living.
Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Jupiter 4

Fava Design Group

Photo of a mediterranean formal enclosed living room in Miami with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Living Room Design Photos with 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.